When Keely Hammontree saw an opportunity to coach Free State High’s volleyball team, she knew it was one she didn’t want to pass up.

Hammontree was named Free State’s volleyball coach during the spring, the third coach in program history. She replaces Amy Hoffsommer, who left to become the head coach at Olathe West, which opens this fall.

“I’m really excited,” Hammontree said. “I’m just eager to get in the gym next week with them. We start our open gyms and weights on Monday, so I’m pumped. I’ve already met them. I met with the girls and their parents about a month ago. Great group of kids, so just excited.”

Hammontree was drawn to Free State because of the program’s tradition and potential to remain one of the state’s top contenders. The Firebirds earned a trip to the Class 6A state tournament last season, their first appearance since 2004.

She’s spent the past four seasons as an assistant coach at Mill Valley, coaching the varsity and junior-varsity teams.

During the offseason, Hammontree coaches club volleyball at Dynasty. That’s where she’s met Free State junior Rachel Hickman and sophomores Mya Gleason and Kaitlyn Hamilton.

“I will admit it was at first kind of surreal to be their high school coach because it’s a different world between club and high school,” said Hammontree, who will teach at Free State as an autism specialist.

Hammontree is confident it will be a good fit for her first head coaching position at the high school ranks, especially after settling in as a teacher.

“It’s obviously a little nerve-wracking,” Hammontree said. “Change is always overwhelming initially. Now that I’ve gotten to know the teaching job part of it, I think the volleyball piece will easily fit into what my teaching job will be. That was the biggest hurdle was to make sure I liked the teaching job as well as my coaching position there.”

Since Hammontree was named the FSHS head coach, she’s communicated with Hoffsommer and plans to have the Firebirds compete in summer scrimmages against Olathe West and other schools in the Olathe, Blue Valley and Shawnee areas.

Most of all, she’s just excited to start working with her team.

“I’m actually coming into almost a Cadillac of volleyball programs,” Hammontree said, “so I feel really fortunate to be chosen to take on this position.”