By Logan Reid

Angie Strickland, a two-year assistant in the Leon program, has taken over as head coach in the wake of legendary coach Joy Becker’s retirement.

Strickland played volleyball at the Kings Academy in West Palm Beach.

The team won state championships during her sophomore and junior years.

After her years at Kings Academny, Strickland went to Indian River Community College in Fort Pierce for two years. She finished her college career at Union College and made the “all-conference” team.

Strickland was the head coach at Lincoln High School from 2002-2007 before coming to Leon in 2008.

She has also coached club volleyball for 10 years.

Becker coached the Lions for the past 14 seasons, leading the team to the Final Four in each of the last four seasons.

This past season they lost in the finals to Martin County.

Becker coached a total of 33 seasons at Maclay High School, Florida High, Florida State University and Leon.

Strickland says that she has learned “drills, discipline, expectations, uniformity, and how to be, act and play like a team” from Becker.

“I took the job to keep up the tradition of Leon as the best volleyball program in North Florida,” Strickland said.

Strickland will not make sweeping changes to the program, but will add her own personal touch.

“I will bring enthusiasm, discipline and fun,” Strickland said. “I will be able to relate to the players.”

Strickland has been coaching at the North Florida Volleyball Academy alongside Rita Crockett, a former Olympian and current head coach at Florida High.

Strickland is helping recruit players for the elite 18-year-old part of the academy, as well as coaching some 16 year olds.

The NFVA also took its 18 year olds to nationals under the coaching of Strickland.

The new coach will have her work cut out for her, as the Lions will graduate six seniors from last season’s state finalist team.

Among the losses will be Molly Pearce, who committed to the University of West Florida, and Alex Johnson, a commitment to the University of Miami.

Becker has stated that she will help Strickland coach next season and will stay at Leon to continue teaching her HOPE class.

Strickland’s duties at Leon will be limited to coaching the volleyball team.

She works fulltime at a local bank.