"I know what it is like to lose, to win, to want to quit, to want to cry, to not want to get up.  I know what it is like to hear the cheers and yells for you.  I know what it is like to feel the pressure of everyone on your shoulders, and I know what it is like to choke under the pressure.  I know what it means to be an athlete, a true player, and that is why I play.  I AM AN ATHLETE, A CHAMPION, A TRUE PLAYER"

    - An Athlete's Pride




    2008 OTHS Coaching Staff 

    Erin Legendre, Head Varsity Coach

    In 2006, Erin Legendre began her first season as the OTHS Head Varsity girls volleyball coach, after 3 years as an assistant and underclass coach. In 2003, Erin began as the Freshman coach before moving to the JV level in 2004 and 2005.Erin Legendre, head coach  In 2006, she took the head Varsity coaching position with OTHS.  In her first season as varsity coach, the Panthers went 14-18, with a 2-5 SWC record....while carrying only 3 seniors.  Key victories against Edwardsville, Kirkwood (MO), and a playoff win against perenial power Belleville East highlighted the season giving the 2007 Panthers hope for a big season.

    Coach Legendre also coaches club volleyball for the Southern Heat Volleyball Club and graduated high school from Red Bud High School where she played volleyball.  After high school, she went to McKendree College and played volleyball the entire four years. 

    Aside from coaching varsity volleyball at OTHS, Erin teaches Social Studies.  In 2005, she married Dave who is glad to play the role of "volleyball widow" during the season, and he loves to come watch OTHS volleyball.  No kids yet, but they do have 3 volleyball dogs - Sam, Zoe, and Morgan....all are big fans of OTHS volleyball.

    Lynn Weidenbenner, Junior Varsity Coach

     Lynn Weidenbenner begins her second year assisting Coach Legendre after spending two years assisting the Panthers voluntarily.  She has been coaching volleyball in this area for over 15 years.Lynn WeidenbennerPreviously Weidenbenner coached at Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC), Althoff Catholic High School, Northwest Missouri State University, and Maryville Missouri High School.  After coaching select volleyball clubs in the area for eighteen years, three years ago she assisted in the initiation of a new select club under the St. Louis Gateway Region named Southern Heat.  This club has grown from its initial three teams of which one team played in the national tournament the very first year to eight teams with satellite cities such as Southern Heat – E (Edwardsville).

    After graduating from Belleville Township High School West, Weidenbenner attended Millikin Universitygraduating University graduating in 1986.  She led the Big Blue to the NCAA Division III National Tournament both her sophomore year and senior year where she was named a member of the national all tournament team as an outside hitter.  Weidenbenner was named most valuable player her senior year setting four career and university records.

    While Weidenbenner is assisting coach, she is the Finance Coordinator at the City of Mascoutah.  She and her husband, Dan, have two children and reside in Shiloh, IL .
     

    Melissa Massey, Freshman Coach

    Coach Massey has played volleyball for over 18 years.  Her experience began at Zion Lutheran Grade School to Belleville East High School to Belleville Area College (now SWIC).  She finished up collegiately at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee.
     

    Her parent's told her that the only way to college was through a full ride scholarship so that is what she worked for and achieved.  She was a setter and Melissa Massey achieved many awards and goals during her playing time.  Melissa's love for volleyball included coaching as well as playing where she started coaching during high school at St. Teresa's grade school.  From there, she went on to coach at a couple years for Game Face VBC (now SWIL).  After graduating from Union University, she became assistant volleyball coach.
     

    When Melissa returned home, she and her family started their own volleyball club, Blue Steel VBC.  Currently the co-director, coach, and trainer for the club, Blue Steel has been up and running for 4 years.  As a side job, she also trains young girls and boys the fundamentals of volleyball, agility and speed. Now, she is getting certified with NESTA to be a certified trainer in speed, agility, and quickness training. 

    Melissa is married to Ryan Massey, a teacher and coach with OTHS and they have 2 kids: 2 year old Trent, and 9 month old Riley. 

    Coach Massey is in her 2nd season as a volunteer assistant with OTHS and loves being a part of the program.  She cannot wait to see what the upcoming season brings. 
     

    Sam Tooke, Assistant Coach

    Coach Tooke has just moved to Illinois from Virginia where he was the Varsity Coach at Annandale High School and  coached club volleyball with Northern Virginia Volleyball Association (NVVA).  With over 24 years of playing and coaching experience at the University of Arkansas and on various Air Force Base teams, he has coached junior volleyball since 1997 in Texas, Virginia and Germany. In 2002 and 2003, he helped lead Ramstein American High School to 2nd- and 3rd-place finishes in the European high school championships. Coach Tooke is USAV CAP II and ASEP certified.

    Coach Tooke is married to Jodi Tooke who is currently assigned to Scott AFB.   This is Coach Tooke’s first season with the OTHS Panthers.
     

    Lauren Martin, Assistant Coach

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