Monterey Trail High School girls volleyball head coach Marisha Williams, 37, died of natural causes on September 4th three days prior to the team’s first league game of the season on September 7th.
“She was inspiring. She was always coaching, she coaches the boys’ team at Cosumnes Oaks. She was that world and a big part of our community here,” Monterey Trail athletic director David Coronado told the Elk Grove Citizen.
Williams had already made a significant impact on the 2018-19 season, leading the team to a 7-1 non-league record.
The school has provided grief counseling services to members of the team.
Practice was cancelled on September 4th as was a game against Kennedy, however the team got together for a meeting on September 6th, one day prior to their first league game. JV coach Erika Jones stepped in to coach the girls as they prepared for their game on September 7th.
According to Coronado there was a huge turnout for the game on September 7th which even included other schools watching the match in support of the Monterey Trail teams.
“There were a lot of people here to support the girls. Her [Williams’] mom came out from the East Coast. It was a packed house,” Coronado said.
Prior to the start of the game there was a moment of silence for Williams. After that the Lady Mustangs got to work, shutting out Grant 25-10, 25-7, 25-7 at home to start the league season and honor Williams with a 3-0 win.
Their next game will be against River City on September 19th. Jones will continue to coach the team until a decision is made on a final replacement for Williams.
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