There's an old saying that Rome wasn't built in a day. That phrase can also apply to the William Fleming volleyball program, as first year-head coach Terri Craig looks to turn a traditional losing program into a winning one.

"William Fleming High School is beginning this year with a brand new schoool building, a brand new staff and a brand new attitude...simply stated, this is a new beginning for our volleyball program," said Craig. "We are working hard to build a new foundation for this program. We will make the necessary changes to re-establish our program in the Western Valley District.

Craig, who is a rookie as far as being a head coach, is a veteran when it comes to the sport of volleyball.

The self-described pseudo-tomboy grew up taking dance lessons and racing four-wheelers and motorcycles. Once she started high school at Northside, she fell in love with volleyball. During her junior and senior year as a Viking, she was an All-Timesland and an All-State honoree her senior year. She then attended Spartanburg Junior College in South Carolina and then returned a short time later to go to Lynchburg College. While at Lynchburg, Craig was forced to quit due to health reasons and her sports life stopped for several years. After years of working and having a longing in her heart, she decided to another stab at college and her beloved volleyball. At the age of 23 she returned to both college and volleyball, as she started attending Ferrum College to major in Recreation and Leisure. She started back at volleyball and soon became the team's setter under coach Kelly Caputo. While at Ferrum, she was named Player of the Week several times and was also honored in the Dixie Conference as a Featured Athlete. Craig continues to hold the record for career assists per season and is in the top three of career assists for Ferrum.

Craig attributes much of her love for the game to coach David Turk, formerly at Salem High School and to Wayne Clark, a long-time VHSL volleyball referee.

Craig started her coaching career as an assistant immediately after her senior year at Northside working along beside Coach Beth Dunman in the fall and as an assistant coach for the Lady Vikings soccer team.  She later was the Varsity Assistant coach for Staunton River High School, where she was once again with Head Coach Beth Dunman.  She went completely out of her element and became JV softball coach for William Byrd High School in 2001 with Coach Marci Cook and years later went back as JV Volleyball Coach in 2008.  Then she was assistant coaching at Hidden Valley High School with Coach Lisa Sink-Morris ; East Montgomery High School with Coach Melanie Kirby; and, just last year worked as JV Coach for Tamalyn Tannis, the four-time State Champion Volleyball Coach at Cave Spring High School. Craig reports being indebted to Tannis, who was instrumental in giving her superior coaching guidance and made recommendations for her to get the William Fleming High School coaching position.

Now, she has undertaken the task of rebuilding a program that is known for losing.

One of the reasons for the Colonels reputation is the fact that a lot of these young ladies never play the game of volleyball until the first day of practice.

"There are no volleyball programs in the recreation league of middle school level," said Craig. "They don't start learning the game until they hit the JV level. Craig also attributes some of the problem being a lack of money for these kids. "Most of them come from single-parent families and they just don't have the money to go to camps, play club ball or play Junior Olympics like the kids at other schools."

The coach has in planning several fund-raising events which will allow the team to raise money and to be able to attend camps throughout the area.

"My coaching philosophy incorporates using a player's self-determination, skill, motivation, dedication to the team and personal pursuit of education to develop a program that promotes well-rounded excellence both on and off the court," Craig stated.

How do the players feel about their new coach and her philosophy? "She's a breath of fresh air," said senior middle-hitter Lara Turner, who has been playing since a freshman. "She offers you more encouragement and pushes you to make yourself better."

Those same thoughts were also echoed by senior setter Briana Cabbler, another four-year player, "She encourages you to get better. Unlike our past coaches she doesn't put you down or criticize you. She treats everyone the same and shows no favoritism like our past coaches."

Both players agreed there is more team unity and the team is a lot closer under their new coach.

The Colonels, who went 0-18 last season, have high hopes of turning things around under Craig's leadership.

"All good things take time and this team will see that I plan to be here as long as the school keeps me," added Craig.

Like they say, "Rome wasn't built in a day and neither will the William Fleming volleyball program.

Photos by David Grimes