CCHS hires new volleyball coach

For the fourth time in four years, the Lady Wave volleyball team has another coach, but this new hire hopes to stay around for awhile.

Derik Mullen was approved by the Churchill County School Board Thursday to replace Nate Hallett, who resigned in June to become an assistant with the University of Nevada volleyball team.

"At this point in life, I was ready to settle down and coach," said Mullen, a former 18-under boys' club volleyball coach in Texas. "I decided to take the plunge. I have a good knowledge of the game."

Mullen, 37, is a construction supervisor for Southwest Gas and has resided in Fallon for the past six years. Before that, he spent three years in Lovelock.

Although he has never coached in Fallon before, he is acquainted with the program and has already met with the players.

He will coach a team that won back-to-back state 4A championships in 1999 and 2000 and finished second in 2002. Last year's team finished fourth in the High Desert League with a 7-5 record, 7-10 overall.

The Lady Wave advanced to the Northern 4A regional tournament, only to lose to Douglas in the first round.

When Mullen selects his team in mid-August, he said he will pick girls based on their skill levels, not on their class standing.

"I don't believe in that philosophy. I can't hold back talent like that," he said.

Mullen wants to re-establish the program and coach for longer than a year.

"I have no intentions of going anywhere. I like Northern Nevada," he said. "I'll coach as long as the parents want me."

Mullen will have some experienced assistant coaches. Atsuko Perkins, who is the varsity swim coach and a former junior varsity volleyball coach, will help the players with their skills and techniques. Patty Daum, who served as the team's assistant coach for two years, will guide the junior varsity coach. Mullen said the program still needs a freshman coach.

Mullen said his first year will be trial and error, but he will also rely on Daum's background with the team to help him.

In dealing with the players, Mullen said he will enact the same methods he uses at work with his employees.

"I'll let them make their own decisions until I feel I need to step in," he said.

Mullen, though, said he inherits a good group of girls who seem to play well as a team.

"We have only two seniors this year. Overall, we have a good core," he said.

The team graduated four dominant players last year: Outside hitters Jessica Daum and Whitney Adams, middle blocker Bethany Ellis and setter Jennifer Easton.

"You'll see a difference in the team. We don't have that 'go-to' person," Mullen pointed out.

Mullen was born and reared in Tallahassee, Fla. He graduated from high school in 1988 and attended Brevard College where he competed for two years on a track scholarship. He then joined the U.S. Air Force where he also played and coached volleyball on base teams.

He is married to the former Michelle de Braga of Fallon. They have two daughters, ages 11 and 17.