Goodbye Aaron ! [8 Oct 2014]

Wednesday, October 8, 2014 

Aaron Batula

Girls Volleyball

The local HS Volleyball scene will never be quite the same. Although he has talked about 'hanging it up' for at least a year, the sudden resignation, effective this past Monday, of Lompoc Head Volleyball Coach Aaron Batula still comes as a shock. 

He was a passionate advocate for the players in his program, loved the game itself, and brought much needed structure to a program that was virtually on life-support when he arrived. 

Nicole Rudolph

He has been replaced by 1st year LHS PE teacher, Varsity Assistant, & Frosh Coach Nicole Rudolph who was brought in with the idea of helming the program eventually. She had previously spent 6 years as a GVB Head Coach in Orange County.

The Braves (5-5, 3-3 LPL) have already duplicated last season's win totals (5-14,3-9) partway through what was easily shaping up to be Lompoc's best campaign in decades.  

Rudolph, who will also continue with the freshmen, is an admirer of what he has accomplished. "He has done an amazing job. He's given the program a real foundation." She hopes to continue the progress that has been made, but noted - "Aaron has given this program everything he had, and whatever we accomplish this season is due to his efforts."

Longtime Cabrillo HS GVB Head Coach Jim Hilliard has previously announced that he intends to retire at the end of this season, turning that program over to assistant Sydnee Brown.