Coaching hires
Ellis to lead Lady Wildcats volleyball
Oak Ridge High School has named Meghan Ellis as its new volleyball coach.
Ellis, a math teacher at ORHS, brings experience coaching volleyball and basketball within Anderson County.
She previously served as an assistant girls basketball coach and volleyball assistant at Clinton High School under Lorri Johnson, whom she credits as a significant influence.
“Lorri has done a great job over there, and she’s a great coach,” Ellis said. “I was with her during her first two years, and I learned more from her about coaching than I ever thought I could.”
A 2013 graduate of Anderson County High School, Ellis played volleyball under head coaches Marcia Wade and Jayme Smith, who also served as a former Oak Ridge head coach.
“My first year, I played for Marcia Wade, and then I played for [Smith] for my last three years,” Ellis said. “Between playing for those two and coaching with Lorri, I learned a lot about coaching.”
Ellis also coached club volleyball for Athletes in Ministry.
While this will be her first head-coaching role, she said she’s eager to start her new chapter with the Lady Wildcats.
“I’m excited and can’t wait to get started with preseason workouts,” Ellis said. “But I’m also nervous, for obvious reasons, because this is my first time as a head coach.”
Oak Ridge returns a talented group of players despite losing key contributors to graduation, including setter Peyton Uptgraft.
“There’s a lot of talent there,” Ellis said. “Losing players like Peyton creates opportunities for others to step up.”
When she’s not coaching, Ellis enjoys spending time with her family, including her niece and two nephews, as well as her dog.
“I’m an auntie and a dog mom,” she said.
