GJHS spikes its way into another new volleyball coach

GJHS volleyball team has hired a new coach for the 2025-26 season

Mason Strippel, Reporter • September 22, 2025

GJHS volleyball player Norah Gruwell saves the ball against the Roaring Fork High School volleyball team. They won 3-1, which was their 3rd win out of 4 losses due to the coach’s new style.

A new Grand Junction High School volleyball coach is here to spike, set and elevate the team to a new level of excellence this season.

Nick Hazlewood is in his first year at GJHS and his first year coaching a high school volleyball team. The last two years, the volleyball team was coached by Jeniel Eilers, leading the team to a 13-12 record during the 2024-25 season.

“I think this year we’ll see a bunch of new culture between everyone and just a better season in general. The coach has done very great because of the oriented, organized, and more productive practices this year. I can already see us doing really great this year,” said GJHS sophomore Kinley Ryan.

Eiler’s last volleyball season for GJHS was an improvement from the 2023-24 season, when they went 4-19. As of Sept. 19, the team is 4-5, which is the team’s best start that’s been seen in the past three seasons.

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“Nick Hazlewood became the coach because the old coach moved back to Utah. We hired him because his interview went very well due to his volleyball success and his young age,” said GJHS Athletic Director Shawn Marsh.

According to Marsh, the main goal for the players is to improve their skills every practice to win games. And main goal for the season is to go to the state and win a trophy.

GJHS students can support the volleyball team by coming to the next home game at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23.

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About the Contributors

Mason Strippel, Reporter

Mason Strippel is a junior. He is part of the Orange and Black Newspaper. He likes to play basketball, video games, and mountain hiking. He is also part of the TRIO Upward Bound program. He joined the Orange and Black Newspaper during his sophomore year.

Lincoln McQuade, Managing Editor

Lincoln McQuade is a GJHS senior and this year’s Managing Editor. This is his second year on the staff and his first as an editor. Lincoln enjoys playing the guitar and bass, and he is very excited to be a prominent editor this year.