Change is in the air in the McDermott-D0yle resource room, with the addition of two new teachers and a new director.  One of the new faces is Ms. Abby Nelson, who will bring her passion and experience to MC.

Nelson was born and raised in Beverly, and attended Marist High School, where she was part of the second graduating class of girls. Later, she attended the University of Illinois in Champaign,  playing on the volleyball team for two and a half years. Her career was ended by a hip surgery during her junior year.

Although she was unable to continue playing volleyball, she stayed as close to the sport as she possibly could. She became a volleyball coach, taking control of a top tier program, the Ultimate Volleyball Club. There, Nelson is the head coach of high school boys (age 15-18) for a team that is ranked nationally. Before coming to Mount Carmel she also was the volleyball coach at Oak Park .

Her enthusiasm for the game transitions very nicely from the court into the classroom.

She came upon her new job through Coach Tina Grunauer, a good friend who also is the head coach of the Mount Carmel swimming and water polo teams.  As the head coach, Nelson believes she can further develop the MC volleyball program. “I just want to improve the team as much as I can.”

So far, the transition to Nelson’s new position has been “amazing” and she is particularly appreciative of how welcoming the faculty has been. One thing is certain, Ms. Nelson is poised to improve the volleyball team and the students whom she works with.