Former Culver volleyball champ one of several new coaches at Redmond schools

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Ridgeview’s new volleyball coach has already created great memories at the school, just for a different team.

Randi Viggiano led Culver to the Class 2A state title at the then-new school’s gym in 2012 and followed that up with two more appearances in the state finals at Ridgeview, including making it in 2017.

“I always joked that it’s me second favorite gym in the state,” Viggiano said.

Now Viggiano is making it her home gym as she becomes the third coach the Class 5A Ravens have had since the start of the fall 2017 season. She is one of several new faces expected to be leading Redmond School District athletic programs in the fall.

Viggiano actually came to Ridgeview as a school counselor at the start of the 2017-18 school year, but continued as Culver’s coach for one more season.

She led to Bulldogs to the title game, where they fell in four sets against Grant Union.

“I was really lucky to go back and have one more year with Culver,” she said. “It was kind of a goodbye year with my kids.”

Gabrielle Alley, an all-state member of Viggiano’s 2012 state title team, is taking over as coach of the Bulldogs.

The Ridgeview job came open when Doug Magee abruptly resigned after the Ravens season opening match (which happened to be a victory against Culver). Magee was replaced for the rest of the season by assistant coach Heidi Wood, who led the Ravens to a play-in match appearance and their best state ranking since they moved up to Class 5A.

Viggiano said she was ready for growth in both her counseling and coaching positions, plus it is, obviously, an easier commute from her day job at Ridgeview.

“I’m hoping to help the program grow to be a consistent state contender,” she said.

One change will be dealing with more players.

“At a small school, you get who comes out, you never know if you’re going to have 26 or 20,” she said.”Here, there are probably more kids who try out than we will have on the team.”

Like Wood, Viggiano is a successful club volleyball coach. Viggiano works with the North Pacific Juniors team when not coaching high school. She hopes the similarities will make it easier for players.

“I’m sure it’s absolutely a difficult thing for them,” Viggiano said of having three coaches during the same school year. “I think Heidi and I have very similar philosophies that will make for a great transition.”

And having spent the year as a counselor at Ridgeview, Viggiano has gotten to know many of the players, she added.

Having a consistent state contender involves building a foundation of mutual respect, teamwork and work ethic, Viggiano said. She wants an inclusive culture, where players push each other competitively in practice.

“I think there’s a lot of potential in the program and a lot of great kids,” she said.

Judging by the reception Viggiano got from athletes calling out her name as her picture was taken in Ridgeview’s gym, the admiration is mutual.

Other coaching changes

The Ridgeview volleyball position is one of several newly filled or currently open coaching jobs in the district. Redmond High is also looking to fill its head volleyball coaching job, according to the school’s website.

Perhaps the most notable job openings are the football coaching positions at Redmond and Ridgeview, where both schools are coming off 1-8 seasons in 2017.

Ridgeview, which already brought in new boys and girls basketball coaches since October, is also starting its baseball season with a new coach. Former Redmond High coach Marc Horner, who led the Panthers to multiple state semifinals appearances in his 2002-14 term at the school, is now coaching rival Ridgeview.

— Reporter: 541-548-2186, gfolsom@redmondspokesman.com