Friday notes: Keating's still involved

CEDAR RAPIDS - It's been six years since Tom Keating coached his last volleyball match at Dubuque Wahlert.

He's still in the game, though.

Keating will serve as color commentator for Mediacom Communications' telecasts of the championship matches at the state tournament today.

"It's another way for me to stay involved," said Keating, who left Wahlert in the summer of 2004 to become the principal at Cedar Rapids Xavier. "It wasn't a hard decision for me to say yes."

Keating won 11 state titles at Wahlert. He continues to work a number of coaches' clinics.

As he was as a coach, he'll be prepared today. He spent much of the last three days scouting teams before leaving for the UNI-Dome on Friday to watch Xavier play Iowa City High in a 4A semifinal football game.

"This gives me an opportunity to reconnect with coaches, and for that, I'm very grateful," he said. "Plus, I get to talk about something I enjoy and can give some insight."

Swan song for Slight

Win or lose, Lori Slight's tenure as Sioux City Heelan coach will end after today's 3A championship match.

Slight's husband, Jay, was hired in July as the principal at Creston. Lori stayed behind with their 18-month son, Jack, and will accompany the rest of the family after the first semester ends at Heelan.

"My husband's an amazing guy to let me stay here this season," Slight said. "He knew how bad I wanted to coach these kids."

Slight coached the Crusaders to the 2007 title. They lost to Marion in the semifinals last year, then avenged that defeat Friday.

Heelan has been at state 14 times in the last 16 years, with six different coaches.

Call to the Hall

Kim Edwards (Sioux City Heelan), Katie Kohnen (Dubuque Wahlert) and Megan Wittenburg (Tripoli) will be inducted into the Iowa High School Volleyball Hall of Fame today.

The ceremony will take place after the 3A championship match.