Creekview didn't have to travel far to find its new volleyball coach, after assistant Abigail Jackson was promoted to the post.

Jackson replaces John Edwards, who left to take over at Sequoyah following Kelly Audia's departure to serve as an assistant at Georgia State.

"We felt like Abby was the right choice given her background and experience," Creekview principal Bob Eddy said. "She's been with the program for three years, she has a good athletic background and understands what it takes to be successful. She's an outstanding teacher and is familiar with the girls and they're familiar with her.

"All of this happened in a hurry and we feel fortunate that Abby was available and was interested in taking over the job."

Jackson has served as an assistant coach for Creekview's volleyball and girls soccer programs for the past three seasons. She helped lead the volleyball team to the Class AAA state semifinals in 2008 and the elite eight last season. As an assistant with the soccer team, she was a part of the Lady Grizzilies' semifinal team in 2009 and the state runner-up team this past spring.

A standout volleyball and soccer player at Sprayberry High in east Cobb, Jackson, who teaches English, was also a player on Kennesaw State's NCAA Division II national championship soccer team in 2003.

"We hated losing John," athletic director Charlie Beverly added. "He was doing a wonderful job with the volleyball team. We wanted the program to continue to progress forward, and having been with John for the past three years, we felt like she could continue what he developed.

"After John left, I contacted (Jackson) and asked if she was interested. Fortunately, it was on her mind, too, because she asked if she could apply. It's nice to know we had someone in house that we thought was ready. She has all of the ingredients to be a great coach."

Edwards felt like he was the right coach for Sequoyah as well. Following the advice of Audia, a longtime friend going back to their middle-schooldays, Edwards stepped down from the Creekview position and was hired about week later by Sequoyah. It was a hard move to make for him to make, considering all of the success his Lady Grizzlies team was having, but a necessary one.

"Kelly told me about his interview at GSU, and thought I should come and take over at Sequoyah," said Edwards, who was an assistant to Audia before taking over the Creekview program. "I thought about it, and when Kelly got the GSU job, (Sequoyah athletic director Todd Miller) called me and we talked. Things fell into place.

Edwards taught special education at Creekview, but he will teach physical education at Sequoyah, which is more in line with his career aspirations.

"The teaching change was the biggest thing," he said. "There were no P.E. positions open at Creekview. The change was better for me and what I was trying to do. I'm going to a quality program as well, so that helped."

With Creekview moving up to Class AAAA, Edwards will have plenty of opportunities to face his protege. The two nearbhy rivals will be members of the 11-team Area 7AAAA beginning this fall.

"Abby was surprised I was leaving, but I think she'll do a great job at Creekview," Edwards said. "She's organized, she'll expect a lot from the girls and she'll push them. She knows how to strive for success and has a commitment to winning.

"It will be strange to face her. I went through that with Kelly when I took over at Creekview, and now I'll get to coach against Abby and the girls. It'll be weird, but fun."