Tracey Marshall played at Illinois, coached at Plainfield North
Tracey Marshall’s coaching and caring about volleyball players has resulted in her busiest summer.
![“It’s up there,” Marshall said. “It’s been my craziest year of volleyball.”
On Monday, Marshall began her next chapter as the new Hinsdale Central girls volleyball coach with her first day of summer camp. The former Plainfield North coach and Downers Grove South standout player also is working two other camps after just coaching with the Sports Performance Volleyball Club at the Amateur Athletic Union Junior National Volleyball Championships in Kissimmee, Fla.
For Marshall, Hinsdale Central feels like coming home.
“It’s getting back close to where I’m from and that is an area hotbed of volleyball so it’s a win-win,” Marshall said. “I expect the best [athletes] can give. I am a person that truly believes it’s bigger than a game. We teach life skills through the lens of athletics. It might be time management, work ethic, the ability to work with others.”](10f4e83d-7985-46de-94b2-bc403e98f473/image-pv_web.jpg)
“It’s up there,” Marshall said. “It’s been my craziest year of volleyball.”
On Monday, Marshall began her next chapter as the new Hinsdale Central girls volleyball coach with her first day of summer camp. The former Plainfield North coach and Downers Grove South standout player also is working two other camps after just coaching with the Sports Performance Volleyball Club at the Amateur Athletic Union Junior National Volleyball Championships in Kissimmee, Fla.
For Marshall, Hinsdale Central feels like coming home.
“It’s getting back close to where I’m from and that is an area hotbed of volleyball so it’s a win-win,” Marshall said. “I expect the best [athletes] can give. I am a person that truly believes it’s bigger than a game. We teach life skills through the lens of athletics. It might be time management, work ethic, the ability to work with others.”
Last season, the Red Devils were 18-22 and 4-2 in the West Suburban Silver. Returning as varsity assistant is Kelly Stapleton, the Red Devils’ head coach from 2012-14. Marshall will not coach in the boys program.
“I expect each person to be better as an individual when they leave the program. The wins and losses don’t matter as much as the relationships that develop as a program,” Marshall said. “It’s a new opportunity. I’m looking forward to meeting the players and families. Hinsdale Central has a rich history as far as athletics. Within the volleyball program, I’m also looking forward to creating some new [traditions] of our own.”
The principal at Naperville Bridge School in Woodridge, Marshall is pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership. Marshall was Plainfield North’s girls head coach the past eight seasons, winning three Class 4A regional titles and a 2015 sectional crown. She was also boys volleyball head coach the past four seasons.
Last week, Marshall held her annual gathering of Plainfield North volleyball alumni. At the request of current players, she’s overseeing the Tigers’ summer camps because both new head coaches have other commitments.
“I care about those kids and this transition is already difficult [for them],” Marshall said.
A 1996 Downers South graduate, Marshall was an all-state player and the 1995 Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year whose teams finished second at state twice and third once.
Also an All-American and Junior National Team player with Sports Performance, Marshall then played at Illinois and in the United States Professional Volleyball league. Downers Grove North athletic director and former Downers South coach Denise Kavanaugh has been Marshall’s coaching mentor.
Kavanaugh coached Marshall her final two varsity seasons and gave Marshall her first coaching job. Marshall returned as a Downers South assistant coach in 2002, when the Mustangs won their third state championship.
"[Kavanaugh] was able to pull out of us the best athletically but what was head and shoulders above the others was how she built relationships within the program,” Marshall said. “One of the things I hold very near and dear to my heart are those relationships. We’re still very active in each other’s lives today.”
Marshall also is running a youth feeder camp as co-owner of District Volleyball Academy with Lisa Tazelaar, another Downers South graduate and former Hinsdale South girls varsity head coach.
Marshall also has coached with Prime Time, First Alliance and Club Elite. At Illinois, Marshall established the record for career digs (1,426), which stood until 2008. The 1998 All-Big Ten Conference player now ranks fourth in career digs and seventh in career kills (1,657).
“My favorite aspect of the game is defense and ball control because nothing else can happen without it,” Marshall said.