At the beginning of the volleyball season, the freshman and JV teams received new coaches. JV was given science teacher and eSports coach Mary Morris, and freshmen got two new coaches: Alieris Cruz Nieto and Jesse Ruiz. 

Morris, who has experience coaching both traditional and digital competition, noticed a clear difference between the two environments.

“There definitely were some ups and downs,” Morris said. “I think compared to coaching eSports, it’s definitely a lot different since it’s more of a physical sport, but also, I primarily have boys in eSports.”

 Cruz Nieto said her first season as a coach was difficult at times.

“I was just a player myself last year,” Cruz Nieto said.  “So, I had to make the transformation from player to coach and go from being so close to these girls to having to step in as their coach and discipline them at times.”

Ruiz said volleyball season was full of learning experiences. He gained knowledge about the sport and learned how to coach a girls’ team for the first time, adapting his approach after previously only working with boys on the soccer team.

“I learned that coaching is not only passing on knowledge about the game so that the kids can understand, it is also about motivating them and caring for them,” Ruiz said. “What I really love about coaching is just educating others, passing my knowledge on to others and seeing them learn and have fun doing something they love.”

Ruiz credits his team’s winning season (10-5) to a shared sense of positivity and determination.

“My goal was to be as positive and motivating as possible,” Ruiz said. “For the team, my goal was for them to have a winning season, and they accomplished that, which I was happy about.”

Cruz Nieto’s love for volleyball inspired her to pursue a career in coaching.

“If I’m not watching it, I’m probably somewhere playing,” Cruz Nieto said. “Everyone who knows me, knows I know mainly everything about volleyball or that I’m always watching it.”

Cruz Nieto’s  goals were to adjust to her new role, help each player improve and introduce a new approach to volleyball. Her goals for the team included learning to adapt, building trust and forming strong friendships. 

“There were ups and downs in my first season,” Cruz Nieto said. “I would definitely come back. Seeing the players progress and having one of the best records from the teams, it was amazing.”