T-L Photo/SETH STASKEY UNION LOCAL volleyball is a family affair for the Kildows. Julie Kildow (left) is the Jets assistant coach, while Torre is a senior leader for the team that will play in the Division II state tourney today.

MORRISTOWN — There isn’t a daughter or son anywhere in America who have never found themselves in their mother’s doghouse for one reason or another.

Union Local senior volleyball standout Torre Kildow has seen her mother, Julie, quite upset a few times. While that part is similar to everyone else, the fact that she experienced in front of her teammates made it a little bit different.

During a seventh-grade volleyball practice, Julie was coaching the team at Union Local Middle School and she simply had no other choice.

“She was being a teenage girl, which is really no different than the other girls, but I expected more out of my own,” Julie recalled.

Because of that and probably a little bit more, Julie dismissed Torre from practice that day. Torre eventually returned and has never looked back during her volleyball career at Union Local.

“She’s a good coach, so I didn’t really take it to heart,” Torre said. “She’s usually always right.”

Obviously, they didn’t let it affect their relationship or their respective playing and coaching careers. Today, the pair will realize a dream together when Torre and the Jets take the court at Wright State University to take on Notre Dame Cathedral Latin in a Division II state semifinal. Julie has ascended up the coaching ladder and is the chief assistant for head coach Kaye Sechrest.

“To be able to share this with my mom is great,” Torre said. “She does so much work leading up to each game in terms of watching films over and over. She has everything ready. Being able to do it together makes each win even more special.”

The Jets departed Belmont County Thursday afternoon to prepare for the state tournament. It’s an experience that Julie called “over-whelming.”

“I feel like I could just cry at the drop of a hat,” Julie said. “It’s unbelievable that Torre got to play in the state tournament in two different sports. I realize this is probably a once-in-a-lifetime thing, but it’s like an emotional rollercoaster, too.”

Torre, who is among the state’s leaders in kills, plans to soak up some of the atmosphere, especially during the pre-game introductions when both she and her mom will have their names announced.

“That’s always a special part of every match when they introduce us and we get to high five,” Torre pointed out.

The seventh grade volleyball season wasn’t the first time that Julie coached Torre. She actually coached her in youth softball for several years and coached junior high basketball for a season.

When Torre moved up to the eighth grade for volleyball, Julie accepted the role she currently holds as the varsity assistant. Her daughter, Casey, who now plays volleyball at Mount Union, was a sophomore.

Torre has been a member of the Jets’ starting lineup since she arrived as a freshman and she and her mom’s volleyball relationship has grown. But, it’s also had times where it’s become a hot-button issue in their house.

“I would love to say we leave (volleyball) at the gym when we leave, but that wouldn’t be true,” Julie said. “There are times when we’ve gone home and really had it out. But, honestly, I can count on one hand how many times that’s happened.”

Regardless what happens this weekend, Torre’s career with the Jets is officially in its final few days. It also means she will go back to being Julie’s daughter and no longer a player, too.

“We’ll still have the same relationship,” Julie said. “She’s still going to hear from me when she does something wrong. I’ve never been easy on my kids, and I don’t plan on starting now. I guess someone else will get the brunt of it.”

While Torre will be taking her talents to Ohio University next season, Julie finds herself with a decision to make. Sechrest would love to have her back on the bench, but with two daughters playing collegiately, the decision is much more complex and not one that Julie plans to make immediately.

“Coach Kaye has told me if I can make it work, she wants to make it work,” Julie said. “I just don’t like to do things halfway. I love coaching these girls, so I am up in the air. I would love to see Ohio and Mount Union’s schedules for (the 2023) season before I decide.”

Since that decision will be made in the coming months, the Kildows are simply going to enjoy and soak up everything about their final game(s) together as player and coach.