The Fuquay-Varina High School athletic department is growing and the wealth of new talent coming in the form of coaching has trickled into women’s basketball.
FVHS named Gail Siemer the new varsity women’s basketball coach April 16.
“I think she’s going to be a great addition to the coaches we’ve already hired here at Fuquay,” FVHS Athletic Director James Mountford said.
Siemer joins Jeb Hall and Daniel Strong as one of the newly hired coaches looking to change the school’s record and the image of sports at FVHS in general.
“I’m excited about the opportunity,” Siemer said. “I just cannot wait for next season to start.”
A native of Severna Park, Md., Siemer graduated from Shepherd University in 2002. She helped her team to a conference championship in 1999 and an overall career record of 77-34.
After graduate school, Siemer returned to Shepherd University as an assistant coach for four years, helping to lead the Rams in their successful journey to a second conference championship in 2008. While Siemer was on the coaching staff, the team also received its first invitation to the national tournament where the Rams advanced to the Sweet 16.
Siemer earned a N.C. teaching license and assisted Bennie Pollock for three years, helping to coach the Harnett Central High School women’s varsity basketball team. The Lady Trojans advanced to the state playoffs each of those three years. This last season, the team advanced to the second rounds after beating out East Wake.
And already, Siemer is making an impression at FVHS. She met with players the day after she was announced to the position and began training with the girls last week as well.
“They’ve definitely adopted my mentality,” Siemer said.
“I think the players are really taking to her,” Mountford said. “She’s very passionate and I’m really confident that she’s going to help develop our basketball players and outstanding student athletes.
“I feel like the girls are really going to respond to her and her leadership and they’re going to continue to improve.”
And she’s gotten a great reception from the community thus far – support she hopes to build on as the next basketball season nears.
Siemer looks to build a solid foundation for the program and she believes it will start with getting fans in the stands.
“We’re a community team,” Siemer said. “I would like to see the community come out there and support the team.”
Contact Kelly Griffith at kgriffith@civitasmedia.com or 919-552-5675.
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