High school volleyball: Kara Joyce steps down as Buckeye coach

YORK TWP. — Kara Joyce took over the Buckeye volleyball program when it was in disarray, stabilized it and subsequently rebuilt the team into a consistent winner. Five and a half years and two Division II district championship appearances later, the former standout setter is leaving her alma mater with a sense of satisfaction and a smile on her face. Joyce has resigned as coach, ending her tenure with the fourth-most victories in school history, including an eight-match winning streak that ended in the district finals. "My time at Buckeye was truly special and helped me find my love for the sport again," she said. "I am leaving for personal reasons, as I just don't have it in me to give it 100%. I didn't find that fair to the girls, other coaches or the administration." Joyce's legacy at the school is huge, having been part of four of the six sectional championships in Bucks history — two as a player and two as the head coach. Her 1,830 career assists rank fourth in Medina County history, highlighted by a county-record 842 as a senior in 2009. She returned to Buckeye as an assistant coach, then was promoted midway through the 2018 season, immediately turning around a team in turmoil and leading it to a share of the Patriot Athletic Conference Stars Division title. The Bucks only finished under .500 in conference play once under Joyce, who compiled a 59-69 overall mark and went 8-6 in tournament matches. Her .571 postseason winning percentage is tops among local non-D-I coaches in the rally-scoring era. Buckeye went 14-12 last fall, with Cleveland State signee Allison Salazar breaking the county record for kills in a season. It will return three-year setter Paige Knittel, libero Haiden Morrison and middle hitter Grace Miller, among others. "I was very surprised by her resignation, but the team and I support her decision and are going to miss her tons," said Knittel, who is fourth at the school in career assists. "She's been my coach the last three years and it will be tough not to have her around for my senior season." Athletic director John Myers praised Joyce, saying, "In the short time I have known her, she has been great for Buckeye athletics. She contributed not only to the skill development of our players, but also fostering a positive and supportive team environment." The search for her successor is already underway. In the first 49 seasons of the sport in Ohio, the Bucks have had 12 head coaches. Only Debbie Lease, Janeen Calame, Brianne Morlock Indorf and Joyce have remained in the position for more than three years. "I can't wait to continue to cheer on the girls and watch their successes for many seasons to come," Joyce said. "Buckeye is a great community and I will always appreciate the support that I received throughout the years." Contact Brian Dulik at sports@medina-gazette.com. Follow @BrianDulik on X.