A New Era for the Tigers
Lynne Collenback, a 36‑year‑old former player and coach, has been appointed girls basketball coach at Edwardsville High School, taking over a program that has cycled through four different leaders in the past five seasons.
Collenback’s own playing career was marked by four different coaches over four seasons, a fact that fuels her determination to bring stability to the Tigers.
She arrives after a diverse coaching trajectory that includes head positions in tennis and assistant roles in girls basketball at Vandegrift High School in Leander, Texas, and Clear Springs High School in League City, Texas, where she worked under Texas High School Basketball Hall of Fame coach Pam Crawford.
Collenback also served as a ninth‑grade assistant girls basketball coach at Ponca City High School in Oklahoma before turning to tennis when no head coaching vacancy arose, before returning to basketball with a focus on the Tigers.
Summer Work and Culture Building
During the summer, Collenback has already begun shaping a new culture, spending time with players at the Batavia Live Event and planning a comprehensive development program ahead of the winter season.
She emphasizes a positive environment, drawing on her experience as a former player and her recent work as a tennis coach to foster resilience and teamwork.
The Tigers, who last captured a regional championship in 2022 and enjoyed a streak of 18 consecutive regional titles, hope Collenback’s leadership will restore that prominence.
Kaylie Gudka, who guided the team to a 14‑15 record in 2025‑26 and a regional championship game appearance, handed over the program with the expectation that Collenback will build on that foundation.
Collenback, a native of San Antonio who relocated from Ponca City with her husband Ryan, expressed enthusiasm for the challenge, noting that the summer is an ideal time to lay the groundwork for a successful winter campaign.