It was just eight years ago that Caroline Wiggins-Williford walked across the graduation stage at Onalaska. She was a student-athlete, and can relate to what current Lady Cats are experiencing today.
That’s important, because it’s now her job to lead. She coached volleyball on the junior high level last year, but varsity coach Megan Nichols left to direct the program at Chester. Onalaska Athletic Director Nicholas Tyerman thought enough of the work Wiggins-Williford put in to promote her to varsity – even if he had to ask more than once.
“This is ultimately where I wanted to be, in a head coach of volleyball position, but it definitely came a lot faster than what I expected,” Wiggins-Williford admitted. “But, when they offered it to me, I actually turned it down, probably three times. Then, I finally was like, ‘OK, there's a lot of learning to do, but I've got a great team behind me and a great assistant coach, and then of course, Coach Tyerman. They're going to be right there with me to help me learn it.’ So, that's what gives me solace about going into the job.”
Wiggins-Williford thought leading the varsity was too much too soon. That junior high task last year? That was her first year in coaching.
So, how did Tyerman convince the coach that she was ready? Easy, by saying she wasn’t.
“They basically told me that I'm never going to be prepared, and you just have to step up to the plate. That's what I ultimately decided to do, so we'll see. I hope that it turns out well, and I think it will, because we've got a great group of girls. It's a daunting job opportunity to take, especially with how young I am, but I'm excited to step into the role.”
The coach was an assistant in softball last season at the high school, and remains in that position for the spring. A strong relationship with many of the girls began there.
“Getting to know them over this past year, they truly are a great group. “I just feel like sometimes the expectation isn't set high enough for them, and they're not pushed to get there, so that's what I'm really hoping to turn around.”
The turnaround has occurred in softball. A group that struggled to just one win in 2025 reached the postseason this year. Volleyball’s improvement doesn’t need to be as drastic. The team placed fourth to claim a playoff spot in the fall, though falling just short of the goal to obtain their first playoff win since 2011.
The Texas A&M University graduate says athletics in Onalaska are trending in a positive direction. She bragged on the junior high youngsters from last season, and even mentioned the fifth and sixth graders as ones to watch. She feels the same about her current group at the high school, but will demand progress.
“They have so much talent. They are not living up to their potential at all, and that's what I told them whenever I first met with them. The standard that's been going around here is not going to be acceptable. We've got to change our attitudes out on the court. We've got to change our pursuit to what our goal is. I wanted them all to know, ‘Hey, we can do this. We can achieve this. We just have to put our best foot forward.’ I do not believe that they've been putting their best foot forward.
“It was not that long ago that I was standing right here. I know what you're going through, but we've got to change it whenever we get onto that court. This is our home for these five matches or whatever it is, and we have to always just put our best foot out onto that court, because we have to represent Onalaska well. And, it's getting through to them. It really is. I've already seen positive turnaround, even in our summer league that we've been doing.”
Wiggins-Williford describes her style as very fast and always together. She expects mistakes, but she also expects the team to back them up when they occur, moving on to the next serve.
Four starters return from last season’s squad, but that’s not going to impact decisions on this year’s team. The coach promises a clean slate, basing evaluations on what is happening now.
Summer league matches held in Corrigan will continue until the end of the month. A dozen Lady Cats are participating, though the coaches cannot be directly involved. Amongst the teams getting in work are Corrigan-Camden, Hudson, Chester, Shepherd and Woodville.
The job promises to be a challenge, but jumping into difficult situations isn’t new for Wiggins-Williford. She teaches junior high math – and likes it.
“I love math. I don't know why. It just brings me joy. In the classroom, when they don't get excited about solving equations, my spirit truly dies a little bit.”
Likewise, you can hear the joy when talking about her new team.
“I am trying to build relationships with them. I feel like that's always the start of it and the end of it. I'm just a part of their team; I'm just the leader of their team.”
