I still get loud over a great effort, and my teams never let me forget it. My first coach shared a line that stuck with me and that I pass along now: “Don’t let the white thing hit the wood thing.” Sometimes the game really is that simple, and it’s time to hustle.
I’ve coached at CVA for three seasons, and this year I’m leading both the 14s and the 9s. The mental side matters most to me—I care more about the next point than the last one, and I coach that way. I also spend real time on setting because I played setter at the Division III level and can still demonstrate every rep I ask for.
In practice we keep the volume high so every athlete gets a lot of contacts. When someone makes an error in a tight set, I give the fix right away instead of replaying the mistake—they already know what happened. Each player gets a clear role and hears exactly what that role is, because not knowing is the worst part.
Eight of ten athletes returned last season, and both teams finished as runners-up. I’m a stay-at-home parent away from the gym, and I’ve coached club, high school, lessons, and camps for more than fifteen seasons total. My door is open if something is bothering you—just not in the ten minutes right after a match.
Email me with questions at Kelly@courts4sports.com. You’ll learn more from one session than from anything written here, and I’m looking forward to getting on the court with this group.
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