Melinda Podany, (Grand Island Central Catholic, Courtesy)
GRAND ISLAND — Grand Island Central Catholic has hired Melinda Podany as its new head volleyball coach.
“We are excited to have Coach Podany join our volleyball program,” GICC Activities Director Bill Gavers said. “She brings experience, knowledge and passion with her, and will make a difference in the lives of our students and athletes.”
While serving as head volleyball coach at St Mary’s Catholic School in O’Neill, Coach Podany led her 2021 volleyball team to its first winning record in three years, followed by two state tournament appearances in 2022 an 2023.
“My goal is to create an environment that will encourage the student athletes to develop into the best versions of themselves that God called them to be,” Coach Podany said. “I’ve heard great things about the GICC volleyball team, and I can’t wait to witness it myself.”
Outside of the gym, Podany will be working just down the hall as a teacher in the GICC Elementary School.
Podany’s classroom resume includes five years at St. Mary’s Catholic School in O’Neill, preceded by two years wit Grand Island Public Schools at both Stolley and Starr.
Coach Podany said she’s eager to get back into the classroom as well, after taking the past year off for family reasons. “Almost all of my life I knew I was called to be a teacher, and I’m ready to continue bringing Christ into the classroom,” she added.
Podany’s husband, Ryan, and their three children, Elsie, Cecelia, and Calvin, will relocate to Grand Island for the coming school year
