GROVE CITY — One long-time volleyball coach helped Erin Street take over for another.

Not long after Susan Roberts, who spent 29 seasons as the volleyball coach at Grove City College, announced her retirement, she reached out to Slippery Rock University volleyball coach Laurie Lokash with Street in mind.

“(Roberts) told (Lokash) that she thought I would be a good addition to the pool of candidates,” Street said. “It was flattering she thought so highly of me.”

Street, a native of Charlotte. N.C., has spent the last five seasons as Lokash’s assistant volleyball coach at The Rock. She spent the three years before that as a graduate assistant under Lokash, who has been helming the SRU volleyball team for 30 seasons.

Street was named the head volleyball coach at Grove City College in February and began her duties this week.

Street will also be an assistant track and field coach for the Wolverines as well as an assistant professor of physical education and exercise science.

Roberts, who went 583-424 in her 29 seasons as a coach, has helped her every step of the way, Street said.

“My first day she was there,” Street said. “She’s taken so much time over the course of the spring to help me.”

Street is only the fourth coach in Grove City College volleyball history, following Terry Ellis (1973-82), Judy Zarenko (1983-84) and Roberts.

Street said it is intimidating to think of rich history of the Wolverine program.

“Everyone I meet tells me about what big shoes I have to fill,” Street said. “They don’t have to tell me about that. I’m well aware.”

Street was a standout setter during her playing days at Wheeling Jesuit where she recorded 1,285 career assists, which ranks fourth in school history.

She also ranked third all-time at Wheeling Jesuit in assists per game (8.74),and second in aces per game (.476).

When she met with the current crop of Grove City College players, she had a keen interest in the setters.

“I’m probably hardest on the setters,” Street said. “I said that to the setters in the spring and they accepted the challenge.”

Street said she soaked up all she could about coaching in the time she spent with Lokash.

“What didn’t I learn from her?” Street said. “I learned about recruiting, about how to talk to people, lots of Xs and Os stuff, how to run a camp, how to deal with crises, how to deal with the paperwork. Everthing, really.”

Street is eager to get started again with her talented roster.

The Wolverines will return three seniors, outside hitter Hannah Liermann, middle hitter Dalaney Algiere and defensive specialist Frances Trenta.

They are among 12 returning players, eight who saw significant playing time last season, as the Wolverines went 16-16 overall and 8-10 in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference.

Street said she will also have 11 freshmen.

Street was able to work as a volunteer coach at Grove City College in the spring and was able to get well-acquainted with her new players.

“Coach Roberts was there and she said, ‘This is going to be your team,’” Street said. “I got to spend time with them and I’m really excited.”