Sports Update
Volleyball: Cron named head coach at Marcus (updated)
By Justin Thomas, jthomas@starlocalnews.com
Marcus has found its replacement for former head volleyball coach Cristie Liles as the Lady Marauders have named Jennifer Cron to the same position.
Cron coached at Plano Senior for the past five seasons and brings a familiarity with Marcus, having coached against the Lady Marauders in District 8-5A each of the past two years.
"I enjoyed my time at Plano but I think this is a good move for me and I can't wait to get started," Cron said. "Marcus is a very strong program -- I know that from going against them in district the last two seasons -- and is a program I am familiar with. It's an exciting time and hopefully we can continue to build on the success they've had under coach Liles."
Cron replaces Liles, who took a position as an LISD assistant athletic director after coaching the Lady Marauders for 10 seasons, including consecutive appearances in the Region I finals in 2010 and 2011.
While at Plano, Cron led the Lady Wildcats to the postseason three times, including berths in the regional quarterfinals in 2007 and the area round in 2008 and 2009, where the Lady Wildcats were eliminated by Marcus.
Prior to coaching at Plano, Cron was an assistant at Arlington and a head coach at North Garland. A 1993 graduate of Garland High, Cron played collegiately at Sam Houston State.
"Coach Cron has been successful coaching at Plano and has done so in one of the most competitive volleyball districts in the state," said Jan Lowry, LISD assistant athletic director. "She's had a great deal of success and has great relationships with the kids and we are excited to have her."
Cron's duties begin next week when she will be running Marcus' youth volleyball camps in preparation for the 2012 campaign, which gets underway Aug. 14.
"The first thing is to get to know the players and their families," Cron said. "That's what I'm looking forward to the most."
Cron takes over a Marcus team that graduates a majority of its roster and reached the regional tournament in each of the past three years, including consecutive appearances in the finals.
"I know we lost a lot of people," Cron said, "and it's going to take a while to learn and get to know the styles and personalities of the players on the team now. I'm sure there are going to be some differences and some similarities to what we are used to. But I know there is a lot of talent and if we keep learning and make adjustments, I think we have the potential to have a great season."
Cron said that while the varsity squad will be her focus, particular early in the process, the development of younger players will be key in the advancement of the program.
"I'll get a look at some of the younger ones during the camp next week," she said. "During the season it can be hard to manage and find time to work with them. But the kids are the future and they can't be neglected. I know we have some good upcoming freshmen, and it's going to be fun to watch them develop. And I'm going to do my best to see as many of (the middle school) games as I can. But I know the coaches there do a great job, too."
Cron coached at Plano Senior for the past five seasons and brings a familiarity with Marcus, having coached against the Lady Marauders in District 8-5A each of the past two years.
"I enjoyed my time at Plano but I think this is a good move for me and I can't wait to get started," Cron said. "Marcus is a very strong program -- I know that from going against them in district the last two seasons -- and is a program I am familiar with. It's an exciting time and hopefully we can continue to build on the success they've had under coach Liles."
Cron replaces Liles, who took a position as an LISD assistant athletic director after coaching the Lady Marauders for 10 seasons, including consecutive appearances in the Region I finals in 2010 and 2011.
While at Plano, Cron led the Lady Wildcats to the postseason three times, including berths in the regional quarterfinals in 2007 and the area round in 2008 and 2009, where the Lady Wildcats were eliminated by Marcus.
Prior to coaching at Plano, Cron was an assistant at Arlington and a head coach at North Garland. A 1993 graduate of Garland High, Cron played collegiately at Sam Houston State.
"Coach Cron has been successful coaching at Plano and has done so in one of the most competitive volleyball districts in the state," said Jan Lowry, LISD assistant athletic director. "She's had a great deal of success and has great relationships with the kids and we are excited to have her."
Cron's duties begin next week when she will be running Marcus' youth volleyball camps in preparation for the 2012 campaign, which gets underway Aug. 14.
"The first thing is to get to know the players and their families," Cron said. "That's what I'm looking forward to the most."
Cron takes over a Marcus team that graduates a majority of its roster and reached the regional tournament in each of the past three years, including consecutive appearances in the finals.
"I know we lost a lot of people," Cron said, "and it's going to take a while to learn and get to know the styles and personalities of the players on the team now. I'm sure there are going to be some differences and some similarities to what we are used to. But I know there is a lot of talent and if we keep learning and make adjustments, I think we have the potential to have a great season."
Cron said that while the varsity squad will be her focus, particular early in the process, the development of younger players will be key in the advancement of the program.
"I'll get a look at some of the younger ones during the camp next week," she said. "During the season it can be hard to manage and find time to work with them. But the kids are the future and they can't be neglected. I know we have some good upcoming freshmen, and it's going to be fun to watch them develop. And I'm going to do my best to see as many of (the middle school) games as I can. But I know the coaches there do a great job, too."
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