Coach Janice Slay to Retire as Donoho’s Varsity Volleyball Coach

Coach Janice Slay has announced her retirement as the varsity volleyball coach at The Donoho School. She served as head coach for seven years and led the program to two Class 1A State Championships (2011, 2012), two Class 1A State Runner-Ups (2013, 2015), one Calhoun County Championship (2011), and finished with a record of 288-82. She was named The Anniston Star’s Coach of the Year for the 2011 and 2015 seasons and had three players sign scholarships to play in college. She has been an instrumental part of the athletic program at The Donoho School and a mentor and friend to coaches in Calhoun County and across the state.

The athletic department is excited to announce that alumna Rachel Matson ’12 will join the athletic department as the varsity volleyball coach for the 2016 season. She is graduating from the University of Alabama with a degree in early childhood special education in May. Rachel played under Coach Janice Slay and was a member of the 2011 Class 1A State Championship team, being named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. She received several honors and awards as a varsity volleyball player at The Donoho School, participated in club with Team Sting in Birmingham, and played two years of club volleyball at the University of Alabama. Rachel will be getting married in July.

Coach Slay shares, “Even though I am sad to leave Donoho, I am so excited to know that Rachel will be the new coach. I have had the privilege of coaching at a great school and coaching some great players while at Donoho, and Rachel ranks among the best. She has a great training background as a player and excelled on the court in her career at Donoho. She is a wonderful young woman who will be a great role model on and off the court for the female athletes at Donoho. I am leaving the program in very capable, talented hands.”

Thank you, Coach Slay, for your commitment and service to The Donoho School and its student-athletes. Please join us in welcoming Coach Matson!