DeHoog to coach Chiefs volleyball

MOSES LAKE - Mike DeHoog has been named the new head coach of the Moses Lake High School varsity volleyball team.

DeHoog takes over the helm from recent hire Shayla Blevins who resigned when her husband took a job out of state.

"We are hoping it's a good fit for both of us," Loren Sandhop, Moses Lake High School athletic director, said. "He was approved by the board July 11, and brings a lot of experience to the position."

DeHoog is no stranger to the court as he spent 11 years as the head coach of the Big Bend Community College Lady Vikings team. He's also the founder and director of the Basin's Kamali'i' Volleyball Club.

"I am really looking forward to taking over the program at the high school," DeHoog said. "I coached out at Big Bend from 2001-2011, and am excited to be getting back into the gym."

DeHoog said his coaching philosophy will be focused on teaching sound fundamentals and techniques.

"I want to raise the girls volleyball IQ so they'll make good decisions on the floor," he said. "We want them to be able to control the ball and play solid defense too. The key is repetition, and we'll preach that in our daily practices."

DeHoog's hire comes a bit late in the scheme of things as the Chiefs annual volleyball camp gets underway Monday.

"I'm in the midst of developing my coaching staff and hope to have all the pieces in place for our check in meeting Sunday," DeHoog said. "I'm looking to bring on people who are teachers and students of the game who also have the ability to motivate and develop the girls into good citizens in the community."