By Eric Stock

NORMAL – Leah Johnson doesn’t have fond memories of Redbird Arena.

“I have flashbacks when I walked in there,” Johnson said shortly after she was formally introduced Wednesday as the Illinois State volleyball program’s seventh head coach.

Johnson recalled her first visit to ISU as a freshman on the Missouri State volleyball team in 2000 when her squad lost to the Redbirds.

“The (ISU fans) would say ‘Point Illinois State. Whoo!’ and I’m serious, that was nails on a chalkboard for me as a player,” Johnson said.

Johnson looks forward to using those rabid Redbird fans to her advantage.

“This is the place that’s always held in high regard, high esteem,” Johnson said. “It’s the team you have to knock off if you want to be something.”

The Fair Grove, Missouri native was named Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year after guiding SIU-Edwardsville to a record-school 22 wins last season. She previously served as an assistant coach at Missouri State.

Johnson replaces Melissa Myers who resigned earlier this month after leading ISU to a 168-116 record in nine seasons.

Athletics Director Larry Lyons said Johnson, the head coach the last six seasons at SIUE, is the perfect fit to take over the Redbirds’ volleyball program.

“I must say she’s admittedly a bit of a Type-A personality and that’s good,” Johnson said. “I see that as grit, I see that as passion.”

Johnson noted her hiring at ISU came days before the 45th anniversary of Title IX, which intended to create equal opportunities for women’s athletics.

“When I look at Illinois State and I look at the volleyball program, I see history, I see prestige, I see reputation, respect and such amazing and strong support for women’s athletics,” Johnson told Redbird supporters at a Hancock Stadium Club news conference. “As a coach of a women’s team, that gives me so much pride.”

Senior middle blocker Jaelyn Keene got a good first impression of her new coach.

“She did tell me she’s a little more strict than she puts (on), so we’ll see that when we start practices,” Keene said. “Any coaching change is little different, so we’ll just have to adjust. We’ll see how the season goes but it’s definitely looking up.”

Junior defensive specialist Courtney Pence said she doesn’t expect major adjustments in the short off-season.

“We obviously have a foundation expectations and standards set from Melissa (Myers), but it’s really cool to see how she will have a good input and make some changes there and there,” Pence said. “She always says hard work pays off.”

ISU opens the season Aug. 25 against UC-Santa Barbara at the Hampton Inn & Suites Waco North Baylor Invitational in Waco, Texas.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].