The MSU athletic department named Cathy George, former Western Michigan volleyball head coach, to take the spot vacated by Chuck Erbe just one week ago due to retirement.

"When you have a person almost in your backyard who meets and exceeds many of the qualifications we had set for the volleyball coach here, it's kind of a no-brainer," MSU Athletics Director Ron Mason said.

George has coached collegiate volleyball for 18 years, including 11 seasons at Western. George will be replacing Erbe, MSU's 12-year head coach, who retired Dec. 2. Under George's leadership, the Broncos have earned a Mid-American Conference Championship, the NCAA Tournament and has reached eight MAC conference tournaments.

Telling the Bronco volleyball team she was leaving was very difficult, George said.

"My heart was just pounding," George said. "I adore my team."

As MSU welcomed George to the program, George's new players sang the fight song for their new coach.

"We've talked to her and played against her, so we feel like we know her already, and she knows us," junior middle Megan Wallin said. "She seems like an awesome person and coach, and comes with outstanding achievements."

Junior middle Brooke Langston said the entire team is eagerly anticipating the change.

"I'm surprised we know what our future holds so quickly," Langston said. "Bringing in new coaching techniques and new coaching styles will be refreshing for every one."

Accepting a position at MSU is part of a dream come true for George, who said she has some big goals for the program.

"My dream has always been to coach in the Big Ten, to lead a team to national prominence, national championships and of course, to go along with that, a Big Ten championship," she said.

As George looks toward next season, she said her philosophies are team-oriented and plans to use each player's strengths as a part of her coaching style and her goals for the future of the program.

"It's very important to me that a team works as a team, that a team puts the team first."