Houghton coach John Christianson, right, gives direction during a recent practice in Houghton. Christianson is entering his 30th season as the Gremlins’ head coach. (Eddie O’Neill/Daily Mining Gazette)

HOUGHTON — As the sound of volleyballs bounced off the hardwood floors of the Houghton Gym, head coach John Christianson organized his varsity girls into another defensive formation.

“If we transition here, then we have to cut down an angle,” he said to his back line of defenders.

Christianson knows a thing or two about volleyball. This will mark his 30th year as Gremlins’ head coach after he took over the program in 1989.

“It is the kids that keep me going,” he said with a smile. “In the classroom and on the court, they are teachable and coachable. I give all the credit to the community of Houghton and the parents. The parents have raised them up to learn that they are here to work hard and get better, whether that is academically or athletically. That makes my job very, very enjoyable and very easy.”

With that in mind, Christianson has been pleased with the effort his girls have shown so far this season.

“They have been training hard and learning the game,” he said.

The Gremlins are coming off a winning season. Their 2018 year ended with a district finals loss to Kingsford.

“The better team won that day,” said Christianson. “And that wasn’t us.”

The Gremlins lost a number of key seniors last year. Among them was 6-foot-4 middle Deja Brule as well as setter Casana Ryynanen and passers Elena and Jaycie Ruotsala. As if that weren’t enough, senior and right side hitter Lindsey Whiting is out for the season with a ruptured Achilles earlier this summer.

However, as Christianson is fond of saying, “Those are things we cannot control.”

On the bright side, the Christianson said there are a number of younger players on the team stepping into those roles and learning them well.

“Raven Johnson is doing a really nice job on the right side and Paige DeForge is developing well as our libero,” he said.

He is looking for senior leadership from Daityn Markham, Jillian Cyrus and Rachael Hall as middles and outside hitters.

The Gremlins already have a couple of games in the book. They played in a tournament in Sault St. Marie last weekend and defeated Ishpheming 3-0 on Monday on the road.

“We passed the ball well, but made too many hitting errors in Ishpeming,” Christianson said. “We were hitting the ball far and wide. It’s something we’re working on.”

The Gremlins play their first home game on Tuesday, Sept. 3, against Gwinn.