It’s not very often that a WIAA State championship squad undergoes a coaching change.

It’s also not very often that a State-qualifying team features back-to-back seasons with a coaching change.

But the last few years, there has been nothing ordinary about the Tremper girls volleyball program.

Last season, former Tremper standout Sabrina Scifres led the veteran-laden squad to a 34-13 mark the first State title in school history.

This came after a State-qualifying campaign in 2007 under Katie Starosta.

Now, it’s Larry Apker’s turn.

An assistant for his daughter in last season’s magical run, Apker is hoping to pick up where Scifres left off in 2008.

Scifres, a full-time teacher in Paris, decided not to return when she gave birth to her first child, a daughter, Payton, on June 26. Apker officially took over the program in April.

“She knew once she started a family that she couldn’t commit to volleyball anymore,” Apker said. “My hope is she’ll come back some day. I’m not the greatest volleyball mind, but I’ve been around it enough to where I think I can hold my own.”

Apker has his work cut out for him.

The Trojans lost five of the six starters and eight contributors from last season’s championship squad.

Six of those players are playing in college this fall, including Abby Padlock at Scifres’ alma mater Division-1 Missouri State.

Despite the reset of the talent pool, Apker said this season will be easier after the stellar campaign a season ago.

Even role players and junior varsity players from last season got a first-hand look at what it takes to be successful at the highest level.

But Apker probably got more out of last year than any player.

“I love the game,” Apker said. “When (Sabrina) was done with college, my hope was that she would come home, use her education degree, coach and I could help her.

“My dream came true last year when she took the Tremper job.”

Former Tremper standout Scott Marita takes over as varsity assistant. The Trojans are 4-4 after competing in the Thomas More Joust last weekend.

While Apker’s short-term goal is getting a young Trojans’ team to gel, he has a long-term vision of his role with the program.

“I hope to get (Sabrina) back someday when she feels more comfortable with her family,” Apker said.

“That’s my goal, hopefully holding serve until she comes back and we can reunite like it was before.”

* Book it (21-20): Like a broken record in 2009, the Chicago Cubs let me down again. Chicago fell short of my six-victory homestand prediction leading into today’s finale against the White Sox.

This week, I’m going to get this one out of the way for one of the biggest fans of the sports department. The Tennessee Titans will knock off the Green Bay Packers in tonight’s preseason finale.

Mike Larsen can be reached at mlarsen@kenoshanews.com.