Tasha Miller

The Powell High School volleyball team will look different next year. 

Head coach Tasha Miller announced this week that she is stepping down from her role. Miller, who took the job in 2019, led the Panthers for two seasons.

“This was a very difficult decision that took months of thinking and praying about,” Miller said. “I have loved the years I have spent in the volleyball program at PHS.”

With young children, Miller ultimately decided she needed more time with them — time that she sacrificed when she led the program.

“I need to be able to focus my time and energy on them,” Miller said. “I feel strongly that they always need to be my priority, which is what ultimately made me step down. I look forward to spending time with family and being able to support my kids as they become involved in various activities.”

She previously worked as an assistant coach before being promoted. Miller coached the freshman team in 2015 and the junior varsity squad from 2016-2018. As head coach for the 2019-2020 seasons, Miller’s squads posted an overall record of 16-30-2.

Before her years coaching the Panthers, Miller was a standout player at PHS. She was a three-time All-State and All-Conference player, graduating from PHS in 2004. Miller then went on to play two years at Northwest College. 

“Tasha’s passion for the sport of volleyball speaks volumes,” PHS activities director Scott McKenzie said. “She was a great player for the Panthers in her day, and she brought that love and tradition to the program. We wish her the best in her future endeavors.”

For Miller, her favorite part of coaching PHS volleyball was building relationships with the girls over the course of the two seasons. 

“I have so many memories that it’s hard to narrow it down,” she said. “The best memories were usually made in the summer or on our road trips, when things were more relaxed and we got to see the true personalities of each of the girls. Many of these girls have impacted my life in ways that they will never know.”

Just like the girls made an impact on the coach, Miller hopes she positively affected her student-athletes.

“My hope is that I had an impact on the personal lives of the girls I coached,” she said. “I hope I built their confidence and nourished the development of qualities that they will need throughout their lives.”

McKenzie said the school will begin its search for the next head coach immediately. He is looking for a leader who brings a similar passion as Miller did.