400 wins and a legacy at North Adams for Coach Katie Ragan 

By Lora Alexander 

Katie (Smiley) Ragan hopes to achieve her 400th coaching win this week in a victory against Notre Dame on Monday or Eastern Brown on Wednesday. The Eastern Brown Lady Warriors are coached by her niece, Allison Bausan, who went into coaching a large part because of Coach Ragan’s influence.

 A North Adams graduate herself, Ragan’s legacy reaches far beyond the volleyball court. She came to her alma mater in 1998 to begin her teaching career. What started as a return home has turned into more than two decades of teaching, coaching, leading and making a difference in the lives of generations of students. 

Now in her 24th season as the Lady Devils' volleyball coach, Ragan has her sights set on reaching another remarkable milestone, 400 career wins.

The numbers tell the story of an incredible coaching career: 400 wins, 18 league championships, 13 undefeated seasons and 10 Coach of the Year honors. Her teams have suffered only two losing seasons in 24 years. She was also inducted into the North Adams Athletic Hall of Fame in 2024. But the numbers don't tell the whole story. 

Ask around North Adams and you'll hear about the players.The girls who grew up in her program.The athletes who went on to play volleyball at the next level. Multiple former players are now on Coach Ragan’s staff or coaching at area schools. Ragan, who was largely influenced by her dad, has always been someone players can count on to believe in them. She learned early on that success isn't always about the final score, but about working hard, being a good teammate and never giving up. Finally, there is the family connection.She has had the opportunity to coach her own daughter, niece and cousins.

For Ragan, North Adams has never been just about volleyball. She has been a teacher, coach and, for many years, athletic director, helping guide the school's entire athletic program. She has also served as District Volleyball Treasurer and has continued to give her time to the sport and the community.

In 2026, the North Adams volleyball program continues to be one of the dominant programs in the Southern Hills Athletic Conference, with Ragan leading the Lady Devils into another season of championship expectations.

Four hundred wins is an extraordinary accomplishment. But in a place like North Adams, where generations of families know one another and school pride runs deep, Katie Ragan's greatest accomplishment may be something that can't be recorded in a book. She came home, and for more than 24 years, she has given back.

Four hundred wins is the milestone. The people she has touched are the legacy.

Please come out and support the Lady Devils as they play at Notre Dame on Sept. 14 and away at Eastern Brown on Sept. 16.