NATCHITOCHES – For the first time in seven years, Northwestern State volleyball will have a new second-in-command when the 2024 season begins.
 
The person taking that spot however is a familiar one as head coach Sean Kiracofe announced former graduate assistant from the past two seasons, Cara MacFarland, as the Demons' new assistant coach.
 
"We're excited to bring Cara back to Natchitoches," Kiracofe said. "She was an important part of our program the last two seasons and while Stacey (Aldredge) was on maternity leave. She proved that she was more than capable of handling any and every additional responsibility whether that was in the gym or office. 
 
"We are very fortunate to be able to bring back a very capable coach that allows for such a seamless transition this close to the start of our season."
 
The Norwalk, Ohio, native received her sports administration master's degree in NSU's health and human performance program while working with the Demons during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. She joined the staff after a four-year playing career at Middle Georgia State in Macon, Ga.
 
She was a three-year captain for the Knights and finished her career there ranked in the top five in program history in five different statistical categories, including kills, assists, aces and digs. She ended her career as the program's all-time leader in aces and digs.
 
A do-it-all player, MacFarland had two seasons with more than 120 kills, 100 assists, 20 aces, 180 digs and 10 blocks.
 
During her sophomore season of 2019 she was named to the Champions of Character Team and was also a member of the Middle Georgia State Leadership of Athletes.
 
Prior to her stint working as a graduate assistant coach with the Demons, MacFarland was active in the club volleyball scene, including serving as the head coach for Tsunami Volleyball Club and as an assistant for TopVolley both in the Macon area. 
 
MacFarland is the sixth assistant to work on the NSU volleyball staff since Kiracofe was named head coach in 2015.