Madie Hudac

BADEN — Madie Hudac didn't miss her first opportunity to see what the Quigley Catholic High School girls volleyball team would have returning.

Hudac, who is 23 and a 2010 Mars High School graduate, was hired at the team's new coach earlier this month.

She was able to see some of the girls on her team play in a summer league game last Tuesday.

Quigley is returning from two years off from WPIAL play to focus on rebuilding the program.

“I saw a lot of skill there. They are ready to go, they just need the direction,” Hudac said. “It was freshmen and sophomores participating in the summer league. I didn't have a chance to see what junior and senior talent we have.”

Hudac is excited with the prospect of getting the program off the ground. Her coaching career actually started earlier than planned.

Hudac was the team captain for the Allegheny College women's team as a junior when she suffered a torn rotator cuff.

The 5-foot-7 setter finished third in the North Coast Athletic Conference that season, handing out 895 assists.

As a sophomore she was second in the NCAC with 1,026 assists.

The shoulder injury ended her college playing career.

“Very competitive,” said Gators coach Bridget Sheehan about Hudac's attitude. “She's a tough kid because she had a lot of injuries coming in. She had to fight a lot of rehab she had to do before practice.”

Once injuries derailed her career, Sheehan said Hudac helped the team work with setters.

Hudac also volunteered helping out intramural teams. Since Hudac already helped run training as the Gators' captain, moving to coach felt like a natural move.

“Volleyball had been part of my identity and life since I was in seventh grade,” Hudac said. “I gave up all other sports for it and I wasn't ready to give it up. ... I wanted to give back to the sport.”

Once she graduated from Allegheny College, Hudac coached the fifth and sixth grade boys volleyball teams team at St. Kilian Elementary School in Cranberry Township.

Hudac enjoyed the experience, but is excited for the jump to high school.

“The one thing I'm looking forward to is the team component versus individual,” Hudac said. “One thing I had to do (at St. Kilian) was keep the boys focused because they are at such a young age. The girls are they because they want to be there and develop skills. I want to drive the team mentality and help them move on the court together.”

Quigley's return to the WPIAL will put the Spartans in Section 2-A.

Bishop Canevin, Brentwood, Carylnton, Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic, Serra Catholic and Vincentian Academy will also be in the section with Quigley.

Hudac, who has started playing volleyball again in tournaments on beaches and courts as a setter and hitter, hopes to help the young program develop versatile players.

“That's one of the things I try to teach the girls,” Hudac said. “You can be a real asset to the team when you can take on any position.”