Albert Lea High School announced Tuesday its varsity volleyball coach for the 2007 season. After six years away from the program, Lisa Deyak, the varsity leader from 1998-2000, will again be on the sidelines for the Tigers.

&8220;I&8217;m really looking forward to working with the girls,&8221; Deyak said.

The new volleyball coach intends to continue coaching the boys&8217; track and field team in addition to her new duties. Deyak, a Wisconsin native, played high school volleyball in the mid-1980s. She has coached junior high and junior varsity for the Tigers.

Albert Lea, after struggling for several years, turned a corner a season ago with a 16-11 record under coach Melissa Wasmoen, who resigned in mid-may after her teaching position was cut.

Wasmoen&8217;s inherited a team that went 3-18 in 2005. She was named the Tribune&8217;s volleyball coach of the year in her only season at the helm.

Activities director Clay Anderson said he was pleased with the hire. He added that the school couldn&8217;t be happier with Wasmoen&8217;s performance.

&8220;We&8217;re really happy to have her,&8221; he said Tuesday. &8220;She is a really quality person and we&8217;re really excited about it.

The volleyball Tigers open the season on Aug. 28 in Adams against Southland.