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10/06/2016 12:00 AMCera Orner wanted to get involved in coaching from the moment she stepped foot in North Branford High School as an intern while going through the education program at Quinnipiac University. After working at the intermediate school last year, Cera is now teaching English at the high school, where Athletic Director Kory Kevorkian gave her the opportunity she wanted as Cera is now the new coach of the Thunderbirds’ volleyball team.
“I expressed interest at the middle school last year, but it just wasn’t the right time being a first-year teacher,” says Cera. “I was in between apartments when volleyball was going on, so I ended up not doing it. I ended up back at the high school, so when Kory found out I was back, he asked if I was still interested in coaching. When he offered me the opportunity at the high school, I thought it’d be perfect.”
Kevorkian knew that Cera was excited to start coaching. He saw that Cera quickly formed a lot of relationships in her short time at the school, and that played a part in her getting the job.
“During her time, it was evident that she has the ability to connect with students and she did such a good job that she was eventually hired by the district,” says Kevorkian. “She taught at the middle school last year and was moved up to the high school this year. She brings a lot of energy and passion into her position as head coach and, being located in the building, she is able to connect with the girls in the program beyond the gym.”
Cera came to Quinnipiac from Pennsylvania as part of the Bobcats’ first recruiting class for its acrobatics and tumbling team. Cera loved her time as a Division I athlete and hopes her experience will help her while she coaches at the high school level.
“I loved everything about it. The fact that I was being recognized as a Division I athlete was huge, but the aspect of being a part of the NCAA and having bigger contributions to the sport, like being a part of the first recruited class at Quinnipiac after everything with Title IX, was huge,” says Cera, who lives in Branford. “I’ve always been a competitor and have always been involved with sports. Being a part of a team was always important to me and something I’ve translated to my classroom and it’s super important to continue that to volleyball.”
Cera played volleyball in both middle school and high school. She was her team’s libero and so she understands where everybody needs to be on the court. Although she had fun playing volleyball, Cera has quickly come to realize that coaching the sport is whole different story.
“It’s been interesting because I used to help with the acrobatics and tumbling team when I could, but to teach volleyball, which was a sport I loved, I’ve learned is not my strongest ability,” she says. “Playing volleyball was awesome. I’ve been very good at helping teaching the techniques and doing the proper drills they need to know, but seeing athletes struggle is a challenge for me. I want them to grasp the skills and know I need to communicate better.”
Cera adds that there are specific rules she’s getting accustomed to on the fly in the early stages of her coaching career.
“I wasn’t familiar with the very specific rules and they changed my district, so to be in a different state is overwhelming. I had to get the rules down quickly and make sure the girls know and understand them, too,” says Cera. “In our first few games, we’ve learned so much, so I feel as through moving forward, we will only improve. We need to take our skills to the next level, dig deep, and strategize.”
Cera understands that this is a transitional year for the North Branford volleyball team and so she’s working from the ground up, while beginning the process of rebuilding the program.
“I’m very strict, but I do a good job communicating things we need to improve on—not just them, but me. I keep that open aspect in my classroom and with my team because I think it’s very important that the players understand I’m a new coach and have weaknesses to work on,” says Cera. “I’m very excited and hope I get to stay with this team for a while as long as I’m at North Branford. I don’t see why not. But moving forward, some of my goals are to get those advanced skills that I see other teams working on. I want to provide that for my girls and give them every opportunity.”