Butler's Lucas volleyball coach of year
Returning Tornado mentor picks up section honors

By John Enrietto 
Eagle Sports Editor 

BUTLER TWP — When Meghan Lucas stepped down as Butler High School volleyball coach in 2012, she never stepped away from the sport. 
Continuing to coach club teams involving her daughters — and taking those teams to nationals — over the past three years, Lucas decided she wanted to return to the high school ranks. 
So when the Golden Tornado job became open again this past offseason, the position was virtually hers. 
“If Meghan applied, she was going to be my person for the job,” Butler athletic director Bill Mylan said. “She put together a competitive program before and I knew she could do it again.” 
And she did it quickly. 
Lucas inherited a team that was 0-14 last season. This year's squad finished 6-8 overall, 3-7 in section play, and Lucas was voted Section 1-AAAA Coach of the Year by the other coaches in the league. 
“I was totally shocked when Bill Mylan called to tell me that,” Lucas said. “Absolutely, something I was not expecting. 
“We have excellent coaches in this section and we're all friends. The fact they voted me this honor was pretty cool.” 
One of the Tornado's wins this year was over Pine-Richland, a perennial power in volleyball that reached the WPIAL playoffs again this season. 
“We may have never beaten them before,” Mylan said. “That was a huge win for this program. 
“First and foremost, Meghan is a great teacher of the game. She concentrates on fundamentals and relates well to the girls.” 
Butler came within a win of qualifying for the playoffs in Lucas' return season. A five-set loss to Shaler — the final set by a 15-13 count — ultimately cost the team a postseason shot. 
Lucas sent a number of players to college volleyball during her previous tenure as coach and is looking to do again. Emily Archer is looking at Penn State-Behrend and Caitlyn Martin is looking at collegiate possibilities. 
“We've had a few girls move on to play at BC3 (Butler County Community College) and a few more will probably do that,” Lucas said. 
Butler had seven seniors on this year's team. Four of them started. 
“We're continuing to try to build the program by getting kids involved at the elementary school ages,” Lucas said. “Volleyball is a viable option for kids ages 9 to 12 now. 
“I like when our athletes play different sports. I encourage our volleyball players to do so. It makes them better athletes and, ultimately, will make us better ... and we want to keep getting better.”