Girls volleyball: Blahnik takes over at Burlington Central

Burlington Central didn't have to look far to find a replacement for legendary girls volleyball coach Marv Leavitt.

Meghan Blahnik, who co-coached Burlington Central's varsity last year with Leavitt, was announced this week as the Rockets' new head coach.

The Rockets went 31-6 last year under Leavitt and Blahnik and have 8 varsity players returning.

"I'm excited. I love the family atmosphere," Blahnik said of Burlington Central. "Coaching volleyball sometimes there can be a lot of politics and a lot of other things that make it harder and unpleasant. I've always felt since I went to Burlington it's a family atmosphere. Parents are very involved, they are very supportive of the kids."

Blahnik, who works at Top Flight Volleyball Club in Elgin, also was the Rockets' sophomore coach for one year when she first got to know Leavitt.

Leavitt coached the Rockets the last 11 years, including the school's only state team that finished second in 2008. He coached 26 total seasons with a 704-242 record, 291-117 at Burlington Central.

Blahnik didn't hesitate when asked what she'll remember most about Leavitt.

"His passion," Blahnik said. "It's not a job for him. He truly cares and every moment matters. He pours his heart into every moment.

"He's got so much volleyball knowledge having been a coach as long as he did. There's so many things I learned from him on the volleyball side as far as strategies and different philosophies. It was fun working with him. I learned a ton in a short amount of time."

Blahnik grew up in Carol Stream and went to West Chicago Community High School where she played 4 years for Kris Hasty as a middle hitter. She played college volleyball at College of DuPage and Aurora University.

Since graduating Blahnik has coached high school volleyball at the underclass levels at West Chicago, Larkin and Burlington Central.

She also has 6 years experience at Top Flight where she serves as a director, coach and coordinator of camps and youth programs. That's where she's got to know several of the Burlington Central players she will now coach.

"The kids are wonderful," Blahnik said. "I got a taste of it having them first in club. I love the giant support system. There's obviously a great history there as far as the volleyball program. It's a great group of kids."