The Padua Athletic Department announced the hiring of Sarah Peterson Burkhart ’14 for its Volleyball program on Wednesday, December 6, 2023. Coach Burkhart is a member of Padua Volleyball’s 2013 State Championship team. She went on to play Division 1 volleyball at Indiana State University. She coached for the Bruins in 2020 helping the team finish as the State Runner-up and has been coaching at the middle school level the past couple of seasons.
“We are very excited to announce Sarah Peterson Burkhart as our next head coach for the Padua Volleyball program. Sarah brings a ton of experience from her playing days at Padua, through her club team and college. She was a key member of our State Championship team in 2013 and demonstrated her leadership skills as a player, teacher and coach. We are excited to have some alums returning to lead the Volleyball program next season,” says Athletic Director Kevin Leigh ’89.
“I am beyond thankful to have the opportunity to return home to the Padua Volleyball family,” said Burkhart. “I would also like to thank the Padua Community for their constant support, not only as a former student, but as a current alum. During my time as a Bruin, I was blessed with amazing teammates and coaches, which led to an incredible four years of high school. I’m looking forward to bringing the same positive energy and experiences to the current and future players. I can’t wait to watch them grow as both student athletes and young women,” said Burkhart.
The Athletic Department also announced the hiring of Courtney Morris ’17 as an assistant coach on the Volleyball staff under Coach Burkhart. Morris is a member of Padua’s 2013 and 2016 State Championship teams, before she played Division 1 volleyball at the University of Connecticut. Morris has been an assistant coach at Rocky River the past two seasons.
The Athletic Department will have a meeting for all players and parents to meet with Coach Burkhart in the near future. Please contact the Athletic Department for more details.