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03/29/2018 12:00 AMThe Valley Regional girls’ tennis team is welcoming another Riggio to its ranks as Sally Riggio gets ready to begin her debut campaign as head coach of the Warriors this spring. Sally’s children—Taylor, Lexie, Callie, and Jeff—all played their way up the ladder at the high school and earned the title of captain for their respective tennis teams. Now, Sally has earned the title of head coach of the girls’ tennis team at Valley, and she’s looking forward to helping the Warriors reach their potential.
Sally is the school nurse at Valley Regional and, after taking that job, she inquired about the coaching position for the girls’ tennis squad. The timing was perfect, and Sally is over the moon that she gets to do two things that she loves at the school.
“When I was hired as the school nurse, I asked if they would be open to the nurse also being the girls’ tennis coach, and the answer was a resounding yes,” says Sally. “I was thrilled to realize two goals in getting to work in two of my passions. I hit the lottery as far as I’m concerned.”
Sally, a lifelong Essex resident, has tennis in her genes as her father Jeffrey Gould was a tennis professional who founded both the Madison Racquet & Swim Club and the Essex Platform Tennis Club. Sally played tennis at Valley Regional, and she also worked as an instructor for kids aged 10 and under the Madison Beach and Tennis Club during the summer. In 2011, Sally served as an assistant coach for the Warriors’ girls’ tennis squad. Sally says that coming back as a head coach just feels like the right move.
“Going back to Valley was basically like going home. I feel so fortunate to be there. The kids amaze me. I’m so impressed with their drive, dedication, and support for one another. It’s inspiring,” Sally says. “The superintendent, the teachers, the parents, the custodians—everybody works together to support and promote a safe and respectful environment. I feel so lucky that my four children have been able to go to this district.”
Sally can’t wait to get out on the court and start working with her squad. Sally says that her roster is full of solid athletes, and she’s eager to help them take their games to the next level.
“What I feel is most important is not what I want. It’s what the girls want to accomplish. What can I help them with and add to their experience? My singles players are all excellent, but there may be something they want to work on,” Sally says. “I want to support them in what they want for themselves. I want them to be happy and enjoy their time on the court.”
Valley Regional Athletic Director Jeff Swan feels thrilled about bringing Sally aboard as the Warriors’ head coach. Swan believes that Sally’s experience in the sport makes her uniquely qualified for the job.
“She’s the parent of four tennis players, and she has been around the tennis court for many years. She’s been a huge supporter of the program. She’s also the school nurse, so she can do preventive care on any injuries. She’s in the school during the day, and she gets to know the kids very well. I like that,” says Swan. “It was a no-brainer. She had the qualifications, she’s enthusiastic, and she’s proactive on many things. It was the best fit for us. She’s got some great ideas, and I’m looking forward to watching the program this year.”
Perhaps the only drawback for Sally in becoming head coach of the girls’ tennis team is that she won’t be in the stands to watch her son Jeff play his final season with the boys’ team. Sally felt guilty at first, but Jeff put those feelings to rest by encouraging her to go all-in for the position. Also, the boys’ and girls’ teams will be practicing together this year, and so Sally will still get to see Jeff on the court.
“I love watching my children. That’s the sacrifice for me taking this job. I felt guilty that I can’t watch his last year, but he encouraged me to do it. He wanted me to do it for the girls and for myself. He was so supportive, any guilt I had just melted away,” Sally says. “We’re doing coed practices this year in hopes of increasing variability and exposure to develop different skills against different players. The kids really have promoted that sense of togetherness. The kids want to have fun. I think it makes it more fun to them to have boys and girls. They will benefit so much more.”
As she gears up for first year as head coach, Sally knows that it’s important to help her athletes with much more than just their serves and volleys. She also wants to be a role model for them during a pivotal time in their lives.
“Tennis attracts such a genuinely kind and competitive type of girl. I feel privileged to be with these girls. They all are kind to one another. It’s a true sisterhood, and I want to promote that interaction with one another,” says Sally. “I think it’s important to have strong positive female influences. I want them to run toward the tennis court—not retreat from it. High school is a tough age bracket. It’s difficult. I’m sensitive to the pressures they face.”