By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
Southeast of Saline officially filled another of its head coaching vacancies on Thursday when it announced that Julianna Yanez would be stepping in to lead the Lady Trojan volleyball team this fall.
Yanez will continue in her role as assistant men’s volleyball coach at Kansas Wesleyan in the spring while also leading a Southeast squad that finished 22-12 a season ago.
“I’m super excited, and I can’t wait to meet the girls,” Yanez said. “I’m looking forward to testing my abilities with what I’ve learned over at Kansas Wesleyan, and I look forward to what’s to come.”
This marks the second high school coaching stop for Yanez, who coached at Wichita West High School before joining the Coyotes last season.
Yanez also made her mark as a college volleyball player, helping McPherson College (NAIA) to its first KCAC conference championships in program history.
“Through coaching, I’ve really found my love and passion for the sport,” she said. I saw how volleyball can help people in life through the life skills that you gain. Seeing the joy that this game brings people when things click has been great as well.”
The hire was praised by SES Athletic Director Doug Minneman, who made the move official in a statement released on Thursday.
“Bringing somebody like Julianna in with her experience and seeing what Kansas Wesleyan has been able to do on the men’s side gets me excited,” he said. “KWU has had a lot of success under her and I’m looking forward to seeing how that translates to our fall season.”
Under her leadership, Kansas Wesleyan's men's volleyball team posted its first winning season in 2024, hosting a GPAC playoff game and making the GPAC final four for the first time in program history.
While Yanez will certainly look to get the most out of the rising Lady Trojan team this fall, a big focus remains on continuing to elevate the culture around the program itself.
“I really want to develop a cohesive team spirit,” she said. “It’s a family sport whether you’re playing or not, and you can’t do anything without your teammates. I want to build a cohesive, family-like environment within the team. Your relationships with the girls is the most important part, and that helps build on your success as time goes on.”
The Lady Trojans will open their 2024 campaign on September 3rd when they travel to Hoisington.