Kocher focuses on family aspect during foundational season with Lady Lions Volleyball

Dunmore, PA - Penn State Scranton Athletics recently appointed Robert Kocher to lead its women's volleyball program for the 2019-2020 season. The team, which lost long-time Head Coach Bill Kline ahead of the 2018 season, is looking forward to the stability it needs from a new leader.  

Kocher will be the third head coach the team has had over the last three seasons and he is already setting team goals. 

"One of our team goals this year is to make the playoffs. You want that chance to compete in the post season. However, our main goal is to change is the culture of this program. Habits are hard to break and unfortunately losing can become a habit. To break that habit, we will need dedication and effort from everyone involved in the program," Robert said.  The last time the team had sights on a playoff berth was under Kline's leadership in 2016 when they were 8-9, falling one game short of entering the first round of PSUAC playoffs.  The last two seasons the Lady Lions struggled to compete in the PSUAC's newly set east/west division format.

When asked about the season outlook Kocher commented, "We have a few key positions returning but we have a lot of incoming freshman. Team chemistry will play a huge role this season. We will preach the importance of being a team. A good family is a team and a good team is a family. A part of our culture change is to become a family."  

Kocher joins Penn State Scranton following a three-year stint as an assistant coach at Berwick Area High School, two years as a student-athlete assistant for the girls' team and one year as assistant for the boys' team.

While in high school Robert was a four-year member and captain of the boys' volleyball team. He was named Wyoming Valley Conference Second Team All-Conference as a setter where he lettered all four years. Following high school Coach Kocher played one year of club volleyball at Bloomsburg University.

"Anyone that wants to compete and learn the game should come out for the team. We are focused on building a close group and having a team bond is something special," Coach Kocher added for any new students thinking about joining the team.

Kocher is a 2013 graduate of California University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor's degree in Sports Management and also received his Master's degree in Sports Management from California University of Pennsylvania in 2017. Joining him for the 2019-20 season will be Mollie Demkosky, a former PSU Scranton Volleyball team member and Penn State 2016 graduate in Animal Science.  

Coach Kocher, Demkosky and the Lady Lions welcome any interested players to join them for Open Gym this Friday, August 2 from 7 pm - 8 pm and Monday, August 5 from 12 pm - 2 pm !