by This past spring, Saint Joseph Academy Varsity Volleyball coach Kate Latkovic made the jump to the NCAA level when she accepted the position as head coach of the Baldwin Wallace Women’s Volleyball team. While at SJA, Latkovic met with a lot of success as she had a career record of 175-57. She led them to seven district championships, four regional championships and an Ohio High School Athletic Association Division I State Runner-up in 2017 during this incredible run with the Jaguars. Others took notice of her drive and passion to coach as she was a three-time American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Coaches Award recipient and a two-time OHSAA District Coach of the Year Award winner.
I recently spoke with Coach Latkovic about her recent stay with the Jaguars, her decision to move on and what it took to get to this point. The interview can be seen below, and we at Kee On Sports want to thank coach for taking the time to answer our questions, as well as wishing her the best of luck moving on to this incredible stage of her coaching career. Who knows, at this rate, maybe she will be coaching the Women’s Olympic team in 2028, with her drive, passion and knowledge of the sport, you never know. Enjoy the interview below.
KOS – Growing up in Michigan, what brought you to Ohio?
Coach – I met my husband, Pete at Owens Community College in Toledo. He played Basketball, and I played Volleyball. Both our teams finished 3rd in the nation.
KOS – Did you play volleyball? If so, what years and schools did you play at?
Coach – I Played for 2 years at Owens Community College and 2 Years at Wayne State University, a D2 school in Detroit, Michigan.
KOS – When did you begin coaching at St. Joe’s, and did you coach anywhere before that?
Coach – I have coached since 1999, when I was a player at Owens Community College. I coached at Premier Volleyball Academy in the Toledo area and various high schools in the Toledo area until my husband and I moved to the Cleveland area in 2011, where I started coaching Club at Cleveland Volleyball Club. I began coaching at SJA in 2015.
KOS – What were some of your happiest moments while coaching at SJA?
Coach – Winning districts my first year in 2015 and the school’s first District Championship in school History. 2016 going to the final 4, 2017 playing in the finals at the State Championship. 2020 and 2023 going to the State Final 4.
KOS – What do you feel the greatest challenge of coaching at the High School level is, but also, the greatest award?
Coach – The toughest part about coaching at SJA is cuts; there are a lot of good players in the gym, so cutting good players is always hard. My greatest award is seeing the girls learn and grow in their four years at SJA and becoming great human beings.
KOS – What was the driving factor that convinced you to leave for BW?
Coach – BW is such a great school and has so much to offer academically, athletically and socially for student athletes. I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to work with such an amazing university.
KOS – You have a drive about you, a passion to win, where do you believe that comes from and how will it help you succeed at BW?
Coach – I grew up in a small hard-working town called Newport, MI. I have two brothers and played multiple sports. My parents kept us active and taught us nothing great is ever achieved without hard work.
KOS – At the NCAA level, what do you feel will be your biggest challenge and what is your biggest goal?
Coach – The biggest challenge is time management. BW has so much to offer, we want the girls to experience all they can at the university. Our goal is to get better every day and bring championships to BW.
KOS – For all of those who have supported you on your journey, what would you like to tell them?
Coach – I am so Thankful to SJA and staff for a wonderful experience and for their support. The players I got to coach were not only great players but even better people. I have made lifelong friendships with staff, parents and players and I am forever grateful for my time at SJA. I am lucky I have a supportive husband; he coaches basketball at St Ed’s, so he gets the commitment on coaching. My In Laws live nearby and have been so helpful over the years, we couldn’t do this without them.
KOS – When do things begin and how can fans of BW Volleyball follow the program?
Coach – We start on August 16th and it can’t come soon enough, we have a very talented group and are ready to get after it. You can follow us on twitter and Instagram @bw_wvolleyball.
And http://www. bwyellowjackets.com
