NILES — Veteran Niles volleyball coach Jenny Nate, Class B Coach of the Year by Michigan High School Volleyball Insider, has been invited to be coach at the Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association/Adidas All-Star match at Battle Creek Harper Creek High School July 13.

“I’m honored to be invited to coach some of the top players in the state and to work with various coaches who made it to quarterfinals and beyond,” Nate said. “It’s definitely a fun challenge to be handed a team of players who play various positions, and to be matched up with a group of coaches, and then given a couple hours to prepare the girls to compete.”

Nate added that it will give her a chance to meet other coaches and association members.

“It’s also a great opportunity to network with coaches, players and MIVCA members from places in the state who we don’t normally compete with and to continue to get our Niles volleyball name out there in places outside of our area,” she said.

While no Niles players earned first team all-state this past season despite the Vikings’ run to the Class B quarterfinals, Nate will get a chance to coach the likes of Edwardsburg’s Audrey Bellina, Schoolcraft’s Paige Gebben, South Haven’s Hayley Kreiger, Bronson’s Kiana Mayer and Battle Creek St. Philip’s Kirstin Finnila.

Nate said that being a part of the all-star match, will pay dividends for the Niles program.

“I also hope it helps my players, and our program, gain recognition throughout the state and helps us keep finding new teams and coaches to work and compete with,” she said.

A total of 70 players and 32 coaches were invited to participate in the match.

Matches will be played at 3:30 and 5 p.m.