Nagel is named IGCA Assistant Coach of the Year

     Kylie Nagel capped a 10-year career on the coaching staff of the Monticello High School volleyball team in a big way: being named Iowa Girls Coaches Association Volleyball Assistant Coach of the Year.

     Nagel, 28, learned of the award from a Nov. 4 email from Joel Sullivan, executive secretary for the IGCA.

     “I immediately started to cry,” Nagel said. “I was in such shock that I was even nominated but also chosen.”

     Panther head coach Stacie Breitbach submitted the nomination letter.

     “Kylie is deserving of this award for many reasons, but the three that stand out the most are her dedication to the program, knowledge of the sport, and her ability to motivate athletes,” Breitbach’s nomination read in part.

     Nagel has been an assistant coach for the program for 10 years, starting just one year out of high school. She has served it in other ways as well, including youth club director, fundraising organizer, summer workout supervisor, and administrator of the program’s social media site.

     “I’ve enjoyed making close connections with the players and coaching staff,” Nagel said. “I also enjoy passing the love of the game on to the next generation. It’s great to see past players coaching and sharing the game at other schools and grade levels.”

     Nagel, who played at Monticello for four years, was an all-conference libero, which has carried over into her coaching, Breitbach said.

     “Another accolade for Kylie is that while she has coached, every Monticello libero has earned all-conference honors, thanks to her coaching expertise,” Breitbach noted.

     The coach added that Nagel is honest with players, and is not afraid to “assertively let them know what they need to do to be successful.”

     “My coaching philosophy has always been ‘never settle,’ ” Nagel said. “These high school athletes can push themselves so much further than they know. I love to continue to push athletes to see their full potential and the next goal to obtain.”

     Nagel, who is married to Jeff Nagel and pregnant with their first child, is leaving coaching as they start their family. The award, she said, “is the icing on the cake.”

     “Kylie has influenced our athletes in ways that will stay with them forever,” Breitbach said. “She has helped teach them the value of hard work, constant improvement, and honesty.”