Burglund guided Gulls to state tourney

Some coaches claim they would do anything for their players.

Heather Burglund proved it.

Burglund, the coach of the Everett High School volleyball team, changed her career path this year from accounting back to teaching in order to continue guiding the Seagulls. Everett advanced to the state tournament for the first time in 19 years, and Burglund, who teaches math, doesn’t regret her decision one bit.

“It was the best choice I could have made,” she said.

Her 8-to-5 accounting job would have made it nearly impossible to coach, she said, and she “wasn’t gonna give up on these kids. They’re the reason I came back.”

For her part in leading Everett to a Class 4A state berth, a 4A District 1 title, a Wesco South championship and an 18-2 overall record, Burglund has been selected The Herald’s All-Area Volleyball Coach of the Year.

Last year the Seagulls narrowly missed a trip to state, falling one place short at districts. This year, Burglund’s sixth season as Everett’s coach, her emphasis on team bonding and goal setting pushed her squad over the hump.

“Volleyball is such a mental game,” Burglund said, “and you need to be able to work with your teammates.”

To build trust among the Seagulls, Burglund applied lessons from her playing career. A 1994 graduate of Cascade High School, she played volleyball at Shoreline Community College, where she was named the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges Northern Region Most Valuable Player, and at Montana State University-Northern. Burglund unites the best of what her coaches offered with a fearless passion for trying new ideas.

For instance, Burglund had the Seagulls complete an activity called “Mine Field” in which one player is blindfolded and must trust her teammates to lead her through an obstacle course. Everett has also used visualization techniques and attended several galvanizing off-season camps.

In addition, Burglund incorporates goal setting into every aspect of the season, from maximizing effort in every practice drill to winning a district title. She inspired the Seagulls by sharing her senior scrapbook from Cascade, where she helped the Bruins reach the state tournament for the first time in 13 years.

“These are the times you’re going to remember,” she told them.

Talk to us

More in Sports

Marysville Pilchuck’s Christian Van Natta lifts the ball in the air to celebrate a turnover during the game against Marysville Getchell on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep football roundup for Friday, Sept. 29

Prep football roundup for Friday, Sept. 29: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report… Continue reading

Monroe’s Mason Davis (1) celebrates with Trent Bublitz (11) after Bublitz’s touchdown reception against Edmonds-Woodway on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, at Edmonds School District Stadium in Edmonds, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Reader poll: Make your picks for Week 6 prep football games

Do you think you can beat the experts in our weekly high… Continue reading

X
Who’s that frog? A local high school tennis player, that’s who

Arlington tennis player Robbie Balderas worked as AquaSox mascot Webbly this season, and the busy junior also runs a landscaping business.

Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones is pulled to the ground by a diving Nicholas Mouser of Monroe on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at Monroe High School in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Swarming Monroe defense keys win over Terrace in Wesco 3A South showdown

The Bearcats slow down the Hawks’ potent ground game, and quarterback Blake Springer tosses three TDs in a 35-10 victory.

Arlington players lift the Stilly Cup in the air after beating Stanwood on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Arlington reclaims Stilly Cup after short hiatus, routs Stanwood 42-7

Leyton Martin registers 277 yards, 4 TDs as Eagles notch fifth straight game with at least six TDs.

Fall prep sports roundup.
Prep results for Saturday, Sept. 30

Prep results for Saturday, Sept. 30: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Marysville Pilchuck’s Dominik Kendrick (9) runs with the ball during a football game between Marysville Pilchuck and Stanwood at Marysville Pilchuck High School in Marysville, Washington on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. Marysville Pilchuck takes the win, 36-7. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Marysville Pilchuck proud of 4-0 start, but has loftier goals

The Tomahawks aren’t listening to the outside noise, including a No. 1 WIAA RPI ranking, as a tough stretch lies ahead.

Houston Astros relief pitcher Hector Neris (50) gestures to Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodríguez (44) after striking Rodríguez out to end the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
MLB investigating Astros pitcher’s alleged use of homophobic slur

The incident occurred during a heated exchange between Houston’s Hector Neris and M’s star Julio Rodriguez on Wednesday night.

Prep roundup for Friday, Sept. 29

Prep roundup for Friday, Sept. 29: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Most Read