Replacing a legendary coach can be a daunting task, especially for a first-time head coach who is in her early-20s. Cassidy Snider, however, isn’t worried about the pressure of following in the footsteps of one of the most accomplished coaches in Division II volleyball history.

Snider, a standout player at Clarion University, was hired to lead Seton Hill University volleyball over the winter. She replaces Rick Hall, who retired after 41 years leading the Griffs.

“I’m different, and I’m going to make my own way. I respect him and what he’s built here,” Snider noted. “I’ve dealt with a lot of pressure and a lot of high standards as a player, and I think, if anything, the high standard is going to come from myself and not what he’s done.”

Less than two years removed from her college playing career, Snider was a graduate assistant at Indiana University of Pennsylvania last season.

On the court with the Golden Eagles, Snider was the PSAC West Freshman of the Year and a two-time PSAC West Athlete of the Year.

Even before her playing career concluded, Snider was eyeing the chance to eventually lead a program, and that opportunity presented itself with the Griffins.

“I wanted to stay close to home, so it’s a great opportunity to have. It’s a great and competitive conference (the PSAC), so I’m really excited to be a part of that as a head coach,” Snider noted.

“The game has changed a lot, even in the last five, six, seven years, so it gives me the ability to relate to my players a little bit more and kind of what they’re going through, especially the mental side of things,” she continued.

In the fall, the Griffins went 15-12 overall, including 7-7 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), falling in the opening round of the conference tournament at East Stroudsburg University.

Snider hopes to establish a standard of reaching the NCAA Division II Tournament, something that she experienced during her time with the Golden Eagles. Just as important as the team success, though, are the relationships that Snider is already beginning to build with the young women on her roster.

“I think there’s a lot of stories out there where athletes don’t have the best experience in college athletics, so I want to be a safe space for them and I want them to know that I really care about them and their development as a person as much as I do as a player,” she said.