After serving 12 years as an assistant volleyball coach at Prairie High School, Lynnette Stecklein has been named the head coach of the program pending board approval. Stecklein, a native of Fredericksburg, Iowa, succeeds Kevin Geary who resigned at the conclusion of the season.

Stecklein has been with the College Community School District since 2001 and teaches physical education at Prairie High School. For 20-plus years Stecklein has been involved with coaching volleyball at all levels.

In addition to her years at Prairie, she was the head volleyball coach at Charles City from 1989-1992 and has been very active with Prairie club volleyball programs. She is also an assistant varsity softball coach at Prairie, a position she has held since 2005.

"We are excited for Lynnette to head our volleyball program," said Activities Director Rocky Bennett. "Lynnette has done an amazing job in our volleyball program and played an integral role in developing our youth. Her coaching experiences and strong relationship skills will take our program to new heights."

Stecklein called her hiring an honor.

"I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to be Prairie's head volleyball coach," she said. "I am eager to share my vision and philosophy and I look forward to working in partnership with the student-athletes and coaching staff to create an enthusiastic, positive and respectful environment to achieve success."