Former assistant Klee named new Cibola volleyball coach

After years of working as an assistant - including the last nine as at Cibola - Vivian Klee is back at the helm of a high school volleyball program.

Klee was named coach of the Raiders, said athletic director Kevin Gettings. She was the head coach at Pima High School years ago, winning state titles in 1978, 1980 and 1981. She's also coach freshman squads at a pair of Tucson schools.

Klee said she hopes to establish a winning tradition with the Raiders, which went 7-11 last year.

"We've got some returning players from last year, and I'm just looking to build the program and get it on a more positive track and get the girls on a more winning streak," Klee said. "We struggled a little bit last year, but it was a building program last year. We have a little bit of experience coming in."

Gettings said it was that familiarity with the program that made her the pick to take over for Julie Kaulius.

"She understands the girls, and she understands how 5A volleyball works," Gettings said. "I really think she is going to a great job working with the girls and getting them to understand the sport and compete at the 5A level."

With returning players such as middle blocker Marianna Curtis and outside hitter Katie Davidson, Klee said she expects an improvement and hopes the team will be ready to challenge for a Gila Valley Region title.

"We're going to work really hard to go for the title of the Gila Valley Region," Klee said. "We've got to really play hard against Yuma and Kofa, and Gila Ridge is coming on and San Luis. We're going to try to put something together to be the best team out there."