Young Harris, Ga. | Young Harris College Director of Athletics Aaron Bessey announced the hiring of Ginny Howard as the Head Coach for the Young Harris College women's volleyball program. 

"I couldn't be more excited to have Ginny Howard joining our Mountain Lion family. I know our student-athletes, coaches, faculty, staff, alumni, and the community will gravitate towards her immediately," said Athletic Director Aaron Bessey. "My wife and I have known Ginny for years and she is exactly the type of person we want leading our volleyball program into this new era. She has a tremendous work ethic and passion for coaching, and I have no doubt she will provide a first-class experience for our volleyball student-athletes both present and future." 

Howard brings a wealth of experience to Young Harris, having established a track record of success at multiple levels of volleyball. Most recently, she served as the Head Varsity Volleyball Coach at J.H. Rose High School, a position she held from August 2021 to April 2022 and again from August 2023 to the present. In 2024, she was recognized as the NCVBCA 3A Coach of the Year after leading her team to the NCHSAA 3A State Championship. The year prior, she guided the team to the fourth round of the NCHSAA State Playoffs, while her 2021-2022 squad reached the Eastern Regional Finals. Additionally, she played a key role in helping the 2020-2021 team advance to the Eastern Regional Finals. Howard also played college volleyball at Barton College and was a two-time letter winner, giving her the experience of being a coach and a student-athlete.

Beyond high school volleyball, Howard has an extensive club coaching background. She has been a Head Coach for the East Carolina Junior Volleyball Club since 2016, where she has led multiple teams to Carolina Region Division Championships and various tournament titles. Her ability to develop high school athletes both on and off the court has been a hallmark of her coaching philosophy, as she focuses on teaching fundamentals, managing practice drills, and fostering success beyond volleyball. 

Howard also spent time as the Head Varsity Volleyball Coach at The Oakwood School during the 2018 season, earning Carolina Independent Conference Coach of the Year honors while leading her team to regular-season and tournament runner-up finishes. Additionally, she had a brief tenure at Rocky Mount Academy in 2021, where she led her squad to a Conference Championship during the COVID Spring Season. Her other coaching stops include Johnston County Volleyball Club (2015-2016) and Coastal Plain Volleyball Club (2012-2015), where she further honed her skills in player development and mentorship. 

"I am beyond excited for the chance to lead the Young Harris volleyball program! I cannot wait to get to work on building this program and creating an environment where great success is found on and off the court." said head coach Ginny Howard. "I feel my purpose is to make a difference in the lives of student athletes, and I know I'll be able to do just that at Young Harris. A huge thank you to Aaron Bessey, the athletic department, and the campus administration for this amazing opportunity. I am so grateful to be able to represent Young Harris College! Go Mountain Lions!"

The Mountain Lions are eagerly anticipating the start of a new era in their volleyball program, as they shift their focus toward the 2025 season with renewed determination. 

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