Louise Crocco sits in a nearby office, still the athletic director of Cardinal Gibbons and an icon reminiscent of school's glorious past.

A couple of dozen steps away, Kathryn Farland addresses what was, for so long, Crocco's team.

After 39 successful seasons under Crocco, the Cardinal Gibbons girls' volleyball team opens the 2008 season under new leadership.

Crocco resigned as the volleyball coach in January because of health reasons. Farland, who played for Crocco from 1999 to 2002, returned as an assistant for the 2007 season and emerged as Crocco's hand-picked replacement this year.

''She'll do a wonderful job,'' Crocco said.

Farland's ascension should come as no surprise. Stability and family were always important to the way Crocco directed her team and the school's overall athletic program. Both factored heavily into the decision to hire Farland.

''She knew that she didn't want to give it to anyone who wasn't part of the program, that didn't know the program,'' Farland said. ``She wanted someone who would carry on what she started. I happened to be here when several of her assistant coaches stepped down with her that would have been in front of me.''

`THE GREATEST HONOR'

Farland, who calls the job ''one of the greatest honors that anyone could be given,'' inherits Florida's most tradition-rich volleyball program. Under Crocco, the team went 1,132-123 and won an FHSAA-record 18 state championships.

''It's a lot of pressure,'' Farland said. ``A lot is expected of me. But, I hope, with her help and support, I can continue the tradition she started here 39 years from now.''

Last year's team went 26-4 and lost in the regional championship game to eventual Class 4A champion Jensen Beach.

A few months later, Crocco summoned her team for an evening meeting in the locker room.

''That was really sad,'' said Chiefs senior defensive specialist Gracie Svatek, who helped Crocco win her final title during the 2006 season. ``She started to break down in the middle of what she was telling us. Then I broke down. It was extremely sad. That was really tough. It was definitely disappointing, but she really needs to take care of her health right now. That's definitely more important to me than her being out here and pushing herself to a limit that she's not ready for.''

TIME TO MOVE ON

Perhaps, too, Crocco sensed it was time to move on. She was 23 when she took the job, and it has defined her life and led to multiple Hall of Fame honors, both locally and nationally.

Farland is a former player, a teenager Crocco helped mold into an adult. The bond between the two remains strong.

''She's there when I need her, when I have a question for her,'' Farland said. ``She's there when the girls need someone to talk to. She'll be there for us for all of our games, cheering and supporting us. She's letting us take over.''

Perhaps, just as important as work ethic and teaching ability, Crocco saw another glaring similarity between herself and Farland. Both were 23 when they got the job.

''That's when she started coaching,'' Farland said. ``She keeps telling me that.''

Despite the coaching change, those around the team speak in almost a singular voice about the present and future state of the program.

''I'm pretty sure we're going to have the same amount of tradition,'' Chiefs senior setter Kayley McLaughlin said. 'Kathryn played here, and the other coaches played here. We all kind of know how to keep it going. I think this year is really important. Everyone thinks that, `Oh, Miss Crocco is gone. They're going to be weak.' We're really young, but I think we're still going to be a strong team.''

A repeat of 2006, when the Chiefs went 32-0 and won the Class 4A title, is not likely this season after the graduation of seven seniors. Four starters return, although they are surrounded by youth.

''They have a very strong nucleus,'' Farland said. ``As long as they stick together, it should be a good year.''

FULL OF POTENTIAL

With a little luck and the accelerated development of several key underclassmen, the Chiefs could quiet those who doubt whether or not the Chiefs can continue the tradition they had under Crocco. They believe the potential is there for the school's 19th title.

''That's what we're striving for,'' junior outside hitter Courtney Buchanon said. ``That's why we're working hard, just to show everyone we're still Cardinal Gibbons.''

Farland said it would be ``a very big statement, showing that nothing's going to change. The tradition is going to continue here the same way it always has.''

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