After coaching women's volleyball at Goucher College for two years, Kelli Wilkinson realized absence really does make the heart grow fonder.
Wilkinson is returning to her old gig at St. Paul's School for Girls, where she coached volleyball from 2002 to 2013.
"I love high school volleyball and the relationships you develop," Wilkinson said. "You get to know the players and the parents far better. College is like a business. The players come in and leave. It doesn't have the family sense like at St. Paul's."
Wilkinson's first tenure at St. Paul's was highly successful. She compiled a sterling 186-44 record and earned Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference championships in 2005, 2007 and 2013.
Wilkinson also guided the program to C (2002) and B Conference (2003) titles.
"I have been watching her practices and her approach is like a collegiate coach in terms of preparation," St. Paul's athletic director Erin Howland said. "She knows what she wants to get out of every day. She has small goals, weekly goals and season goals. That's why she gets so much out of her girls."
The 44-year-old's volleyball resume is impressive, beginning at Perry Hall High and continuing at Winthrop and Towson universities.
At age 22, Wilkinson said she became the head coach at what is now the Notre Dame University of Maryland for eight years while winning more games than any coach in school history.
She spent two years coaching the men's program at what is now Stevenson University before starting her first stint at St. Paul's.
"The coaching experience she has is really meaningful," Howland said. "She has learned so much through the years, and I can certainly learn from her. How lucky we are to have her. We are just so grateful. It's unbelievable to have a coach like her."
Wilkinson said she decided to return to St. Paul's after the Goucher College position was turning into a full-time job.
Coupled with her duties as the owner and director of Elite Baltimore Volleyball Club, which she founded five years ago, and as a part-time athletic department assistant at St. Paul's, she simply didn't have the time to devote to the program.
"When I went to Goucher, I had just seven teams in my club," she explained. "And over the past two years, we have doubled in size. Now, I have 14 teams and over 30 coaches. I just couldn't give Goucher the time it deserved."
This fall, Wilkinson inherits an experienced St. Paul's team, which finished sixth in the seven-team conference last year and posted a 4-9 record.
The Gators return five starters: junior setter Morgan Hill, senior outside hitter/libero Jenna Stoeher, sophomore middle hitter Ava Turner, junior middle hitter Mone't Peoples and senior outside hitter Jala Tucker.
"We have a really strong core of dedicated players," Wilkinson said. "I am really excited about what we bring to table for the A Conference. I always expect to be in the top four in the conference."
Peoples and Tucker have the potential to play volleyball in college.
"We have easily two of the best players in the conference," Wilkinson said.
The coach is most familiar with Tucker, having coached her in Time Out and Baltimore Elite volleyball clubs for six years.
"Jala is so incredibly talented," Wilkinson said. "I call her my baller. She is super competitive and the ultimate team player. She has the full game. She can attack from any position on the court."
Two transfers — sophomore defensive specialist Camy Barringer (Dulaney) and junior right side hitter Hannah Keehn (River Hill) — have given the Gators a boost.
Wilkinson has been particularly impressed with Keehn.
"Hannah was a surprise," Wilkinson said. "She came here in January. She has played club volleyball for a few years, so she has that experience, too. She will help us for sure."
St. Paul's opens the regular season Sept. 6 at Roland Park Country School.
"I think we have a lot of potential — especially since she (Wilkinson) is back," Tucker said. "I think she will really help us. She really pushes everybody."