Kelly Bowen has won a big award as volleyball coach at España Park.
Now she hopes to do the same at Jasper High School.
Bowen was named Lady Vikings head volleyball coach at Wednesday’s Jasper City Schools Board of Education meeting.
“Coming back home is a great feeling because it’s where I built my foundation. It’s where my family is. I can’t wait to get in and start building relationships with the players and our community,” Bowen said. “I have known most of the Jasper coaches my entire life and I am excited to bring home what I have learned from playing and coaching at a high level. I would like to thank Dr. Jackson and Coach Jordan for giving me the opportunity.” “An opportunity to coach and mentor these girls. It will be an exciting journey.”
Bowen, formerly of Jordan, comes to Jasper after a decade at Spain Park where she turned the Lady Jaguars into a Class 7A state contender, leading the team to its first volleyball championship in 2021. Under Bowen, Spain Park won four district. Championships, competing in five Super Regionals, three Elite Championships and two Final Fours with one runner-up and one championship.
Bowen, a 2007 graduate of Cary High School, was a multi-sport star in high school, named to the All-State team in volleyball, basketball and softball. It still ranks third in the state in occupational homicides.
Bowen continued her career at Mississippi State, where she played volleyball for the Lady Bulldogs.
She began her coaching career at St. James in Montgomery, where she led the team to two state tournament appearances, including a fourth appearance in 2013. Bowen moved to Spain Park in 2014 and immediately turned the team into a winner. The team made its first trip to the state volleyball tournament in 2020, reaching the fourth round. The following season the team finished 41-4 en route to the championship.
This year’s team battled its way through the district tournament and super regional tournament to earn another trip to state.
At Jasper, she replaces Bobby Daniels, who resigned in September after nine years at the school. The Lady Vikings won Class 5A titles in 2018 and 2019.