BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — A familiar face will lead the Martin County High School volleyball program this fall. Kristen Isaac, a 2020 Martin County graduate and former Lady Cardinals standout, has been hired as the school’s new head volleyball coach, Principal Michelle Harless announced.

For Isaac, the opportunity is a return to the place that helped shape her.

“Returning to Martin County was always my main goal,” Isaac said. “It’s an opportunity to give back to the community and program that helped shape not only my athletic career, but also my character and work ethic.”

Isaac brings both collegiate playing experience and recent coaching experience to the role.

After graduating from MCHS, where she played multiple positions and finished her senior season as a setter/right side hitter, Isaac continued her athletic career at Alice Lloyd College. She graduated in 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

At Alice Lloyd, Isaac was a four-year member of the volleyball roster, playing setter, and also competed for two seasons in basketball. During her freshman year, the volleyball program advanced to nationals. The team finished as conference runner-up multiple times during her collegiate career.

“Competing at the collegiate level challenged me physically and mentally,” Isaac said. “It taught me discipline, time management, accountability, and the importance of being a great teammate. I learned how to handle adversity, adjust to different coaching styles, and compete at a higher level of intensity.”

As a high school player at Martin County, Isaac helped lead the Lady Cardinals to district runner-up finishes in both her junior and senior seasons, as well as regional tournament appearances.

Her coaching résumé includes three years with Bluegrass Volleyball Academy, where she worked with 16U and 18U teams, and a stint as an assistant coach at Floyd Central High School during the 2025 season.

Now, she steps into her first head coaching position with a clear vision for the program.

“As far as culture, I want our players to be known for their work ethic,” Isaac said. “Emphasizing fundamentals and competitiveness, but also creating an environment where the players feel supported. Success will be measured not only in wins, but in growth, unity, and the standards we set for ourselves every day.”

Isaac said her goal is to build a program that reflects the pride of the Martin County community while preparing student-athletes for challenges both on and off the court.