Staunton High School announced the hiring of Jody Lohr as the Storm’s next volleyball head coach.

Lohr was introduced to the returning players at the high school on Wednesday in the school auditorium by athletics director David Tibbs and Tammy Lightner, the school principal.

Lohr is no stranger to the area volleyball scene.

He was part of the volleyball program at Grace Christian School for 10 years, the final six years serving as the program coordinator and the varsity volleyball head coach. Grace won the VACA regional title four times and advanced to the state title game once during his tenure.

In 2019 he joined the Mary Baldwin University staff as an assistant and in 2021 he became the Fighting Squirrels head coach. 

Most recently, Lohr was on the Eastern Mennonite University volleyball coaching staff as a volunteer assistant.

Lohr will welcome a talented team to the gym for his first season with 10 varsity players set to return from a team that finished 13-8 overall and third in the Shenandoah District. The volleyball program also featured a talented junior varsity team that finished 19-3.

“There’s talent here. There are a lot of girls coming back. Experience is great to have,” said Lohr.

The new coach is anxious to get started. “I love teaching the fundamentals and love teaching the game. The girls are excited and I’m excited. There’s going to be a lot of energy in the program,” said Lohr.