VIDEO: Patrick Founds Volleyball Dynasty At Merritt Island

By  //  May 4, 2014

SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME

ABOVE VIDEO: Merritt Island volleyball coach Angie Patrick prepares her Mustangs to play hard and win easy. “I was fortunate to be hired at Merritt Island, which already had a tradition of excellence in their sports and academics,” said Patrick. “I wouldn’t want to coach anywhere else. My girls always work hard and I am grateful for that.”

ANGIE PATRICK – 2014 INDUCTEE

Angie Patrick
Angie Patrick

• Nine Straight District Titles

• Class 5A State Championship

• FIT Scholar-Athlete of Year

HOOKED ON VOLLEYBALL

Growing up in Wisconsin, Angie Patrick knew her dad would have loved it if she had played basketball, but kids being kids, Patrick had her own drummer, or actually, ball, to follow.

PATRICK-ANGIE-388-4
The Mustangs enjoy a rich tradition of winning teams under Coach Angie Patrick. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)

It wasn’t basketball, but rather volleyball, that drew her undivided attention.

“My father played basketball for the Wisconsin Badgers,” said Patrick.

“He was drafted into the NBA, but chose a different career path. I broke his heart when I didn’t play basketball my senior year in high school because I wanted to focus on volleyball.”

Patrick’s dad’s heart mended when he saw how talented a volleyball player his daughter was. He has supported her through her career and will fly from Wisconsin to Brevard to see his daughter inducted into the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame.

Patrick got hooked on volleyball in the seventh grade and later played high school ball for Pacelli High School in Steven’s Point, Wisconsin.

“We won a state championship my senior year,” said Patrick.

After a year as assistant coach at Embry Riddle University, Patrick headed to Merritt Island High School, where she discovered the perfect place where her love for marine biology and volleyball could be shared with students.
After a year as assistant coach at Embry Riddle University, Angie Patrick headed to Merritt Island High School, where she discovered the perfect place where her love for marine biology and volleyball could be shared with students.

Florida Tech tempted her with a scholarship to play. The school was a perfect fit for Patrick, who wanted to major in marine biology. An outside hitter for all her four years of college, Patrick received the university’s Female Scholar/Athlete of the Year Award in her sophomore year.

Florida Tech also helped Patrick hook up with her future husband.

“He was a pitcher for Florida Tech,” she said. “He now coaches our seven-year-old son’s Little League team and plays on an adult league baseball team.”

After a year as assistant coach at Embry Riddle University, Patrick headed to Merritt Island High School, where she discovered the perfect place where her love for marine biology and volleyball could be shared with students.

“I was fortunate to be hired at Merritt Island, which already had a tradition of excellence in their sports and academics,” said Patrick. “I wouldn’t want to coach anywhere else. My girls always work hard and I am grateful for that.”

“Our volleyball program is unlike any other,” said Patrick. “We are a family bonded together by our love for the sport of volleyball. We have an outstanding coaching staff, dedicated players, and an enthusiastic fan crowd. Merritt Island Volleyball has many accomplishments because of their hard work, dedication, respect and love for the sport.”
2011 STATE VOLLEYBALL CHAMPS: “Our volleyball program is unlike any other,” said Angie Patrick. “We are a family bonded together by our love for the sport of volleyball. We have an outstanding coaching staff, dedicated players, and an enthusiastic fan crowd. Merritt Island Volleyball has many accomplishments because of their hard work, dedication, respect and love for the sport.”

VOLLEYBALL POWERHOUSE

As marine science/biology instructor for the high school, Patrick introduces the wonders and science of the undersea world to her students.

“I love the ocean and teaching marine science at MIHS is another passion of mine,” she said.

The head volleyball coach prepares her Mustangs to play hard and win easy, and success seems the norm these days, but things were very different when she started.

Coach Angie Patrick
Coach Angie Patrick

“I remember my very first open gym,” she said. “I walked in, set up the net in a very hot, non-air-conditioned gym, sick from being pregnant with my first child. It was not a very successful season, but it was the beginning of our successes today. Those girls I coached my first year really hung in there and worked hard. They didn’t have the championships we’ve enjoyed the past nine years, but hey were part of rebuilding the program. Each and every year, the senior team leaves a different legacy.”

In her bucket list are a few more state championships and the chance to coach her daughter as a Mustang volleyball player. She should have no trouble getting her wishes to come true, for 10-year-old Jordyn Patrick is already being coached by Mom in the Cape Coast 11’s Nike Elite Team. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)
In Angie Patrick’s bucket list are a few more state championships and the chance to coach her daughter Jordyn, above right, as a Mustang volleyball player. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)

Under Patrick’s leadership, the Mustangs have won nine straight district championships, earning her the Space Coast Coach of the Year title in 2005, 2006 and 2011 and Brighthouse Coach of the Year kudos in 2011 as the Mustangs won the state championship.

During the summer, Patrick keeps busy by coaching clinics through Island Sports NETwork.

In her bucket list are a few more state championships and the chance to coach her daughter as a Mustang volleyball player. She should have no trouble getting her wishes to come true, for 10-year-old Jordyn Patrick is already being coached by Mom in the Cape Coast 11’s Nike Elite Team.

“She is blessed to have the opportunity to play club at such a young age,” said Patrick. “It would be very special to win a state championship together.”

THE 2014 SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME Banquet and Induction Ceremony will take place at the Cocoa Beach Country Club on Friday, May 9 with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. – and dinner and ceremony at 7 p.m.

FOR INFORMATION & TICKETS to the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame Induction dinner call 321-615-8111 or e-mail MaverickMultimedia@gmail.com