Notre Dame’s new volleyball coach accepts challenge | High Schools

Dating to her volleyball playing days, Emily Boggetto has always been a competitor.

As a result of that competitive fire, Boggetto has never been one to run away from a challenge.

So it’s no surprise Boggetto is looking forward to the opportunity to replace longtime Notre Dame volleyball coach Tara Young.

“I can definitely feel the pressure,” said Boggetto, who played collegiately at Southeast Missouri State. “But being a college athlete, I tend to strive under pressure. I’ve played in the postseason in college and played under pressure. I love a challenge. I love to take it on and see where I can go with it.”

Young has been the Pios’ coach for the past 26 years. She had a 783-276 record, leading Notre Dame to 25 district championships and 26 straight playoff appearances. During that time, the Pios reached the state final nine times — winning five titles and reaching the semifinals eight times.

“I would never back away from pressure,” said Boggetto, 27, an Illinois native. “I feel like it makes me better and hopefully it makes me a better coach for the girls.”

Although this is Boggetto’s first head coaching job, she has more than five years of experience coaching high school level girls in club volleyball in Chicago.

Boggetto has been in Louisiana for a year and spent this past season as an assistant coach at Jennings. Her fiancé is a Notre Dame graduate who encouraged her to pursue the position when it became available.

“We had a conversation and he said, ‘You have to try and get that job. It’s an awesome place to be,’ ” Boggetto said. “He said, ‘It’s an awesome environment and they put a lot into their athletics.’ ”

Boggetto will look to bring her experience and zest to Notre Dame.

“I’m very competitive and I have been since I was a little girl,” she said. “I want to play the best teams. I want to beat the best teams, so you’ll continue to see us play a very competitive schedule. I want to win.”

Young gave Boggetto a vote of confidence.

“They got a great young woman who played in college and has been coaching in the area for a little while,” Young said. “I have the utmost confidence in Emily taking over the program. The program is in great hands with her.”