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

Posted: December 27, 2013

James Wood’s Jill Couturiaux — The Winchester Star Volleyball Coach of the Year for the second year in a row — showed that last season was no fluke.

Despite losing six seniors to graduation and standout Katie Houser to injury, Couturiaux led the Colonels to a 26-6 record, an undefeated run through the Northwestern District and a return to the state tournament for the second straight year. James Wood finished as the runner-up to eventual state champion Loudoun County in both the Conference 21 and 4A North Region tournaments, but a gutsy win over Salem on the road in the region semifinals punched the Colonels’ ticket to the state tournament at VCU’s Siegel Center in Richmond.

Q. What were the expectations coming into the season?

Couturiaux: I expected the girls to come out and perform and compete at a competitive level, just as we did last year. We wanted to be the top team in the district, advance to regional play and we had a goal to get back to states. Regardless of losing the seniors, my expectations were high.

Q. What stands out about this season?

Couturiaux: I think what stood out for us is how we exceeded others’ expectations. I think a lot of people doubted us because we were down a player, a key player who happened to be the player of the year [in the district] last year, and people doubted our ability to perform without her. Another thing that stood out was how driven the girls were and just their ability to not make excuses for themselves.

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

Couturiaux: Beating Handley in five sets was one. Every time we play Handley we know they’re going to play their best and we hope to play our best. And that match went to five sets and I think we were down in the fifth set and they had match point on us twice, and I think the girls’ ability to have their backs up against the wall and not hit the panic button really stood out to me. And that happened several times, where we were close to losing and instead of playing not to lose, they played to win.

Q. Most memorable moment?

Couturiaux: I would have to say when we left James Wood High School the day of the state tournament. Our athletic director, Mr. Woshner, spoke to the girls in the locker room and when we walked out, the entire student body was outside of the school and surrounding the charter bus. And the band was playing and everyone was clapping and cheering for the girls and high-fiving the team, they were in shock. They literally made this pathway for us to walk through. The girls had no idea, I had no idea, it was amazing. To have the school’s support and the James Wood community’s support was something as a team we’ll always remember.

Q. Most difficult moment?

Couturiaux: Just for the season to end at VCU, one step shy of making it to the state finals. I think that was probably the toughest loss because we knew it was over. They didn’t want it to end, I didn’t want it to end. As great as it was to get that far, you just wanted it to last one more game.

Q. Expectations for next season?

Couturiaux: I expect us to take it one step further and we want to bring home a state title to James Wood. That’s what we’re going to work for. We’re only losing two players and this team knows what it’s like to play there, and they’re going to be eager to get back for sure.

— Compiled by Kevin Trudgeon