Kara Lucherk, a key player on Poth’s 2009 UIL Class 3A volleyball state championship team, has been tabbed as the school’s new head volleyball coach. Her appointment will be brought to the Poth ISD board of trustees for approval during its meeting on March 24.

Lucherk will replace legendary coach Patti Zenner, who resigned in December. Zenner is one of the most successful coaches in state history, guiding the Pirettes to nine state titles, three state runners-up, 13 state-tournament appearances and 23 trips to the regional tournament in 31 seasons at the school. She has a 915-449 overall career coaching record, including 897-440 at Poth, and is the second-winningest coach in San Antonio-area history. Zenner coached one season at Woodsboro before moving to Poth in 1994. The nine state titles are tied with Bellville’s Susan Brewer for the third-most in UIL history, trailing only East Bernard’s Norma Pullin (13) and Amarillo High’s Jan Barker (10).

At Poth, Zenner’s squads compiled a 306-14 overall record during district play, including winning streaks of 97 and 92 matches.

Lucherk, who had 16 assists, seven digs and four kills in the final vs. Aubrey in 2009 and was named all-tournament, returns to her alma mater after three seasons at Nocona. The Indians advanced to the Region I-2A final in each of the past two seasons. She was previously head coach for three seasons at Class 1A Wildorado (west of Amarillo), taking over the program for its first varsity season in 2019 and leading it to the regional final in only its third season. Lucherk also was head track coach at Wildorado and led the Mustangs to a second-place finish at state in 2021.

A three-time state qualifier and two-time regional champion in the 800 meters while at Poth, who earned a scholarship to run at Texas State, Lucherk has a 165-73 overall record and has guided her teams to five district crowns in six seasons.

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