Alysha and Derek Borum were assistants the past three seasons

Story By Jason Bowen

The Scottsboro volleyball program is turning to a husband-and-wife team to direct the program forward.

After three seasons as assistant coaches with the program, Alysha and Derek Borum are set to serve as Scottsboro’s co-head coaches this coming season.

“I am excited about this opportunity for both of us. We have complemented each other in the last three years as assistants together because of the trust we have in each other to do our roles on the team,” said Derek Borum, who is also an assistant principal at Scottsboro Junior High School. “We want to make this a family affair because of our three daughters, two of whom already love the game.”

The Borums take over for Patrick Kritner, who coached the Wildcats the past three seasons.

“Before taking over the Scottsboro volleyball program, Derek and I worked alongside each other to coach in developmental leagues. I think that we complement each other very well. Simply being able to bounce options and ideas off one another has been a huge advantage for us as co-coaches,” said Alysha Borum, an English teacher at Scottsboro High School. “We are both able to provide one another with different perspectives about the game, which helps to improve the program. We have had many individuals say, ‘Oh, I could never work with my spouse,’ but I am thankful to work alongside Derek. We are looking forward to the upcoming season and building a strong volleyball program.”

The Borums believer their familiarity with the players has been beneficial during the coaching transition.

“Having a rapport with all the players has made the transition much easier,” Alysha Borum said. “Not only have they grown over the three years of working with them, but they have also helped me grow as a coach. It’s sounds cliche, but we have become a family. There is a level of trust there that will help us prepare for a successful season. They have been very receptive of Derek and I taking over the program. We are blessed to be able to coach such a great group of young ladies.”

Added Derek Borum, “The girls have been amazing at embracing what we feel like will help us create a winning tradition and create a family culture that we hope will carry down to the junior high teams, as well as some of the younger girls.”

Alysha Borum said a team-first attitude will be key for the Wildcats in a sport that is the “epitome of team sport,” adding the coaches and players are looking to build for the program’s present and future.

“Our goal in any competitive sport is to be as successful as we can be. Scottsboro athletics had incredible success last year, and we want volleyball to be able to add to the list of accomplishments for this upcoming school year,” Derek Borum said. “We also want to set long-term goals for the program by creating a family culture. We feel this type of culture will help create a winning tradition for many years to come.”