The fourth Indian Creek volleyball coach in as many years at least knows what it’s like to wear the Braves uniform.
Andi Ferris played three sports from 1989-93, collecting 11 varsity letters to become one of the most decorated female athletes in Indian Creek history.
And while volleyball wasn’t one of her main interests — she competed in cross country, basketball and track — the former Andi Fulp served as freshman coach and varsity assistant for Greenwood volleyball in the early 2000s.
Last winter she was an assistant for her husband, Brian, as he coached his first season of girls basketball at Indian Creek.
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“Obviously, being a Brave it’s a little bit more special,” said Andi Ferris, who was part of the Nineveh-Hensley-Jackson school system from kindergarten through high school. “I’m a true competitor, so no matter what I coach I want to win.”
Ferris was approved as the Braves’ new volleyball coach at a school board meeting on July 10. She succeeds Jeff Fishburn, who led the 2017 squad to a 25-9 record before resigning after one season.
She’s one of three Indian Creek graduates now coaching a varsity sport at the school, joining second-year boys basketball coach Drew Glentzer and new girls and boys cross country coach Brady Devine. Athletic director Derek Perry is also an Indian Creek alum.
“I think it builds a lot of trust and confidence in each other,” Ferris said. “We all want the same thing. This is where we came from. We want it to grow and be something we can be proud of.”
Plenty of talent returns from last season’s Braves squad, including middle hitter Taylor Burkett and setter Malea Brownfield, both seniors.
Practices begin July 30.
Ferris teaches biology, anatomy and kinesiology at Indian Creek High School. She hopes to give the volleyball program some much-needed stability by sticking around a while.
“When this came open, I said, ‘Gosh, I really enjoyed coaching volleyball, and can I fit this in here?’ ” Ferris said. “If I do something I want to give 100 percent. I would like to try to stay with the program as long as I can and build it.
“I want to tell the kids I’m here to stay as long as you’ll have me. This is my alma mater. I want it to be something special.”
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Andi Ferris
Age: 43
Family: Husband Brian; son Xavier, 16; daughter Reagan, 8
Born: Franklin
High school: Indian Creek (1993)
College: Marian University (1997)
Majors: Biology and secondary education
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