Volleyball Coach Of The Year: James Wood’s Jill Couturiaux

Posted: December 12, 2014

James Wood’s Jill Couturiaux is The Winchester Star Volleyball Coach of the Year
After taking the Colonels to the state quarterfinals and semifinals the past two seasons, respectively, James Wood’s Jill Couturiaux — The Winchester Star Volleyball Coach of the Year for the third consecutive year — guided her squad to the first state finals appearance for a girls’ team in school history.

With the majority of the lineup returning, along with the addition of standout outside hitter Katie Houser who missed the 2013 season with a foot injury, Couturiaux — who announced she would be stepping down after seven years at the helm — led the Colonels to a 26-5 record, a second straight undefeated run through the Northwestern District and a trip to the Group 4A state finals for the first time ever.

James Wood finished as the runner-up to eventual state champion Loudoun County in the Conference 21, 4A North Region and Group 4A state tournaments, but went undefeated at home and rallied back to beat Jefferson Forest 3-1 on the road to return to the state tournament before sweeping Grafton on the road in the state semifinals to reach the title match.

Q. What were the expectations coming into the season?

Couturiaux: The goal was to get to the state finals, that was always the goal. And once we go there, the plan was obviously to win, but our goal was to get one step further [after reaching the state quarterfinals and semifinals in 2012 and 2013, respectively] and get to the finals this year.

Q. What stands out about this season?

Couturiaux: I think overall just the camaraderie of the team and the desire to compete and perform well. The overall attitude and heart of the team really stood out too. I never had a group as a collective whole that was so driven and so focused on a goal. It wasn’t just one actual event, but what stood out to me was the girls I was able to coach this season. This group of 14 girls is a group I’ll always remember.

Q. Any particular match that you thought was significantly important?

Couturiaux: I would have to say the Grafton match just because I felt like we were at the height of our game. To win 3-0 in a state semifinal is pretty incredible. They were the No. 1 seed for the south region and went down and swept them. I was most impressed with our performance, we were at the height of our game and that’s where you want to be at that point in the season.

When we won that match, it was like we finally did it, we were going to the state finals, and I remember thanking the girls when it was over for giving me everything they had.

Q. Most memorable moment?

Couturiaux: When [James Wood Director of Student Activities Craig] Woshner walked us through the gym the day before the state finals and the (team) song “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” started playing throughout the intercom system in the school is a moment I’ll never forget because of the looks on the girls’ faces.

They got emotional, I got emotional, because what Mr. Woshner was doing was for the girls. I love when other people make these girls feel worthy and respected and appreciated and let them know they’re rooting for them. I know it’s something the girls will never forget and it’s something I’ll never forget as well.

Q. Most difficult moment?

Couturiaux: I think the most difficult moment for me as an individual was telling the girls this was my last season, because I didn’t want to make it about me. But I wanted them to know, so that was hard to come to terms with.

I kept putting it off because I didn’t want to have to face it, I didn’t really want to think about it. So that was really tough for me to tell them, because this has been a part of my life for so long, not just James Wood, but volleyball and coaching.

Q. Expectations for next season?

Couturiaux: I think next year will be interesting for James Wood because it’s going to give a different group of girls a chance. Seven girls are graduating, so there are going to be a lot of possibilities for positions.

I think the outlook would be change, and change doesn’t have to be a bad thing. You never know who’s going to step up if you don’t give them a chance, and there’s going to be a whole group of girls who will have the chance to step up and make a name for themselves.

— Compiled by Kevin Trudgeon