Valparaiso High School welcomes Kelly Kratz as its new Head Varsity Girls Basketball Coach. Kratz joins Valpo after 10 years at Merrillville High School, where she served as Head Coach since 2021 and Varsity Assistant since 2014, helping to lead those teams to four sectional championships and one regional championship. The appointment of Kratz is pending approval at the VCS Board meeting on May 16. "We are so excited to welcome Kelly to lead our girls basketball program" said VHS Athletic Director Stacy Adams. "Her leadership in the classroom and on the court will benefit our entire school community. I look forward to our girls experiencing her energy, enthusiasm and competitiveness." A graduate of Valparaiso University with a Bachelor of Arts in Education and History, and a minor in Mathematics, Kelly Kratz (Peller) was a standout prep athlete at Chesterton High School, where she became a 1000 point scorer, 3x team MVP, and DAC MVP on the hardwood as well as 3x State Champion on the track. She moved on to the VU women’s team, where she was named league All-Academic Team each year and was voted team captain as a senior. Kratz began her teaching and coaching career at VHS in 2010, then in the metro-Detroit area for two years before returning to NW Indiana. She and her husband, Tim, have three children, Melanie, Timothy and Kayla. "I am humbled and honored to lead this talented team and storied program,” Kratz commented. “Together, we will strive for excellence, grow both on and off the court, and be driven to write the next chapter of Valpo's success. I can't wait to get started and see what we can achieve together.” Contact: Stacy Adams, VHS Athletic Director sadams@valpo.k12.in.us (219)531-3080