Maureen Boyle returns to coach Carroll volleyball

Maureen Boyle is coming home.

Home as in Montana.

The former Flathead High School coach has accepted the head volleyball coaching position at Carroll College in Helena.

Boyle, a Butte native, has spent the last 2 1/2 years rebuilding the volleyball and softball programs at Beloit College in Beloit, Wis.

"An opportunity pretty tough to pass up," said Boyle of the Carroll job, which she accepted Thursday.

"The opportunity to come home, you don't get too many times. You don't pass it up."

Boyle graduated from Carroll College in 1993 with a degree in mathematics. She played volleyball for the Saints for two seasons, starting in the back row both years.

She was an academic all-Frontier Conference performer.

Prior to Carroll, Boyle spent two years at Montana Tech.

Boyle's first head coaching duties were at Flathead, where she spent five years with the volleyball program. The Bravettes were 1-17 her first season before qualifying for the state tournament her final four years. She guided the Bravettes to a Class AA state championship in 2001.

She was also an assistant softball coach at FHS.

At Beloit, she took over a volleyball team that finished 3-27. In her three seasons, Beloit posted records of 5-27, 12-26 and 26-12.

On the diamond, Beloit's first winning season was last year, 16-12.

"This year they will be better," she said of the softball team.

That squad includes two ex-FHS stars - Jackie Byrnes and Tiffany Nelson. The two sophomores are both starters.

"They (Byrnes and Nelson) will continue to make an impact there," said Boyle.

Boyle admitted it was hard to leave those two players behind, especially since she recruited them.

"I do feel a lot better about it knowing they are staying," she said. "You go to Beloit College for the academic part. They have done a great job there and have had a good experience. I'm glad that's where they want to be.

"(Beloit) gave me a great opportunity," she added.

"They wished me well. The kids are incredible. That's the hardest part (in leaving)."

Boyle said she was not aware of the opening at Carroll until "several people who live in Helena, at least aware of Carroll athletics, called me."

Boyle replaces Amy Heiser, who coached Carroll to six 20-plus win seasons in a row. Heiser stepped down to devote more time with her family

Heiser and Boyle are former Saint teammates.

"She definitely left it (Carroll volleyball) in (great shape)," said Boyle. "I've never taken over a winning program (before). It will be a challenge for me."

Boyle graduated from Butte High School in 1988. She was a three-sport athlete for the Bulldogs - volleyball, basketball and track.

Boyle is expected to start at Carroll next month.