Pacifica Christian O.C. High names Ally Forsberg interim girls’ volleyball coach
Pacifica Christian Orange County High School has named Ally Forsberg as its interim girls’ volleyball coach, the school announced on Wednesday.
Forsberg had been serving as the top assistant to Amy Yiannikouros, who was hired to lead the program in June. Yiannikouros said in a statement that she stepped down to focus on her family.
She was coming off a season in which she led Saddleback Valley Christian to the semifinals of the CIF Southern Section Division 4 playoffs, posting a 20-14 record and earning a share of the San Joaquin League title in the process.
“I just want to continue moving forward with this program,” Forsberg said. “I’m definitely excited to continue [and] humbled for this job. I just have a vision of creating a hard-working, competitive culture within the team, and I definitely expect us to do well this year. I think we have some good talent, so I’m excited for that.”
As far as her prior experience in the sport, Forsberg checks the box. The 2014 Huntington Beach High graduate played four years of varsity volleyball. The middle blocker went on to play one year at Cal State Fullerton, transferring and playing out her final three years at Biola.
More recently, Forsberg returned to Huntington Beach, serving as an assistant to Oilers boys’ and girls’ volleyball coach Craig Pazanti at the varsity level the past two years. She also took on the head coaching duties for the Huntington Beach freshmen girls’ volleyball team last season.
Additionally, Forsberg is the younger of two kids for longtime Huntington Beach softball coach Jeff Forsberg, who has enjoyed substantial success of late, including a trip to the CIF Southern Section Division 1 semifinals in 2019.
“I’ve had great mentors,” Ally Forsberg said. “I think Craig Pazanti definitely helped me learn a lot about volleyball.
“My dad definitely taught me a lot about how to run a program with character and how that has a big impact on your athletes,” she added.
Given that Forsberg grew up with a coach at home, Pacifica Christian athletic director Brandon Gonzalez said it makes sense that she would carry herself in a way that shows she is ready for her new role.
“There’s just something special about Ally that you can already tell she feels confident she’s going to do a good job,” Gonzalez said.
Kimberly Adams served as the head coach of the Tritons the past three seasons. Pacifica Christian reached the second round of the Division 7 playoffs last season, dropping a five-set match at home to eventual finalist Garden Grove 25-23, 25-22, 22-25, 21-25, 15-13.
The Tritons also advanced to the Division 9 championship match in 2018, falling to La Puente 23-25, 25-17, 25-15, 21-25, 15-4.
Under the revised CIF sports calendar, girls’ volleyball teams could play their first contest as early as Dec. 19.
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