Rory Rush set to become co-head coach of East Linn Christian girls volleyball. (Photo from Rory Rush)

A two-time state champion head coach is getting back into the high school game with Rory Rush coming aboard as a co-head coach at East Linn Christian girls volleyball.

Rush coached at Sisters for eight years, helping the Outlaws win 3A state titles in 2017 and 2023, as well as a runnerup finish in 2021.

Following 2023, she stepped away from coaching high school and focused on club, but is coming back this fall to help coach the 2A Eagles alongside Kassie Denue.

“It was just kind of a situation that arose to go in and bring some coaching experience building a program, what that looks like, working on communication type things,” Rush said. “Kassie has done a great job there, they’ve made it to the playoffs. Just kind of looking to grow the program a little bit, hopefully make it to the state tournament a little deeper.”

East Linn Christian athletic director Robby Gilliam had a previous relationship with Rush when the two worked together at Western Mennonite, which is now Western Christian.

The goal is for Rush to help build on what Denue has done the past two years, which is take the Eagles girls volleyball program to the playoffs the past two years.

“I like that Kassie has built that consistency, they already have the expectation of winning, they want to win and have that hunger for it,” Denue said. “She’s done a great job putting people in positions and building the fundamentals, and now I want to come in and push that to another level. We want to be at the same level as a (reigning state champion) Crosshill (Christian).”

Rush is familiar with reaching that next level as her teams at Sisters made the postseason all eight years of her tenure from 2016-2023, and the Outlaws never finished lower than fourth place along with two state titles.

Rush stepped down after 2023 and kept coaching at Central Oregon Volleyball Club and also ran team camps around the state, including one at East Linn Christian last year.

There were plenty of lessons learned during the time at Sisters, and for Rush it’s all about clear communication when it comes to continuing the upward trajectory of a program like East Linn Christian.

“Communication is key,” Rush said. “I think we all have to grow in our communication because obviously things have changed with social media, things that are going to be posted and all that kind of stuff. So just bringing the knowledge of making sure we have good, clear communication.

“And just taking some of the skills that I have as far as pushing them to be a little bit better as far as structure and the drills we’re going to do and picking up the pace a little bit.”

Rush first met Denue at that camp put on, and Rush also attended some Eagles matches last year as the potential for a return still lingered.

Now the two will work toward becoming the 2A powerhouse they hope to be.

“I want to just kind of raise the level a little bit and work with Kassie to push the girls a little bit further than they have before,” Rush said. “Before the season starts we’re going to go to a team camp, it’s Guy Enriques’ camp over here in Sisters … It’s a really fun, but intense camp so I think it will kind of set the tone for the girls as we head into the season that that’s kind of the level we want to be at.”

The Eagles will have plenty of talent back with eight seniors in the fold, as well as a couple transfers coming in from Silverton.

Some of those senior returners include twin sisters Abby and Audrey Garber, Kai Wallace, Tessa Salvage and Allison Gilliam. Audrey Garber was listed as right-side/defensive specialist last season while Abby was listed as setter/DS. Wallace is a RS/middle blocker, Salvage is a MB and Gilliam is a S/RS.

Coming over from Silverton are Chloe Twede and Ashlyn Davisson. And the Eagles have junior OH/MB Kaylyn Kauffman and sophomore DS Meeya Rehnberg ready to keep contributing as well.

“It’s a big group and obviously you can only put six on the floor at a time,” Rush said. “Trying to come in and figure out where everybody’s going to fit. We lost three really strong seniors from last year’s team.”

East Linn Christian last made the state tournament/quarterfinals in 2010 and the Eagles hope that big group of talent can help get them back there in 2026.

But it starts with team camp in August before the first day of practice set for Aug. 17. And from there, it’s all about reaching a new level in Lebanon.

“It’s nice to get back into coaching and do it in a place where I feel like I’m going to have an impact,” Rush said. “Building relationships with the girls and getting them not only prepared for volleyball but for life as well. Helping them along their journey and hopefully it will be a successful season.”