Girls Volleyball: Veteran Heritage Coach Carmel Keilty Takes Over Woodgrove Program

Carmel Keilty after win No. 350!

(Feb. 26, 2013) - Veteran girls volleyball coach Carmel Keilty, who won two state titles while at Loudoun Valley High School and since 2002 has been the only volleyball coach in Heritage High School history, is returning to Purcellville as Woodgrove High School's new coach.

Keilty, entering her 25th year as a head coach, is now just 15 wins away from career win No. 400, having hit the No. 350 milestone in 2011. She is among the top five in the state among active girls volleyball coaches in career wins. She takes over for Faisal Hallaj who started the Wolverine program when the school opened in 2010-11.

"Coach Keilty strives in helping young women develop character, teamwork, integrity and a strong sense of one’s self. She has coached 20 girls who have continued playing volleyball at the college level," said Woodgrove athletic director Rusty Lowery in a release. "Not only does Coach Keilty bring a strong coaching background but her work ethic, relationship skills and commitment to students are second to none. The Woodgrove Athletic Department is very excited about having such a quality person and coach as a part of its’ staff."

Keitly will waste no time getting to know the Woodgrove program and community as a volleyball player interest meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 28 at 12:05 pm. in the main gym and there will be a parent meeting on Tuesday, March 5 at 7 p.m at Woodgrove High School.

At Heritage, Keilty chaired the health and physical education department since 2002, coached girls volleyball and also coached the girls basketball team from 2002-03 to 2006-07. She retired from basketball with more than 200 career victories. She also coached girls tennis at one time at Heritage.

"I truly appreciate everything Coach Keilty has done for Heritage High School. She is a wonderful coach and person that I am proud to call a friend," said Heritage athletic director Ron Petrella. "We thank her for all that she has done, and wish her every happiness in the future."

She began her career with Loudoun County Public Schools in 1986 as a physical education and driver's education teacher at Loudoun Valley. She coach the Vikings girls volleyball team from 1989 to 2002, leading them to AA state titles in 2000-01 and 2001-02. She left after the second state title to start the program at Heritage which was opening in Leesburg. 

In addition, to girls volleyball at Loudoun Valley, Keilty coached the Vikings girls basketball team from 1990-2002. She was inducted into the Loudoun Valley Hall of Fame in 2012. 

She holds a bachelor's degree from Longwood University and a master's degree in educational leadership from George Mason University. She is a graduate of James Madison High School in Vienna where she played basketball and softball. 

In 2010 the Pride girls volleyball team went 25-3 and Keilty was named AAA Northwest Region and Cedar Run District Coach of the Year. In 2011 the Pride finished 23-4 and they went 16-9 in the fall. 

Overall at Heritage, Keilty won four district volleyball championships, one region title and made two state tournament trips. Overall at Loudoun Valley, her volleyball program earned five district championships, four regional titles and made five state trips, winning twice.

Keilty was named ESPN The Magazine's High School Volleyball Coach of the Year in 2000 and is a 3-time Virginia Coach of the Year. She has been named district Coach of the Year seven times and region Coach of the Year four times.