The Saugus Cents boys volleyball recently got a new head coach Amy Suppes. I recently did an interview with her. Here’s how it went.
1.How long have you been coaching for?
I’ve been coaching for 5 years. My first time coaching was a club team in Santa Barbara while I was playing for Westmont College. I’ve coached girls club, girls high school beach, college women indoor, college women beach, boys Frosh, and now Varsity boys + club boys.
- I communicate more effectively and feel that my coaching style aligns more with boys than girls.
- I’m most excited for all the “firsts” for me and “lasts” for the seniors. That combination makes for potentially a very high energy environment around every event this season.
- My favorite part of coaching is the honor to play this unique role in an athlete’s life. Coaches and athletes both CHOOSE to be in their arena – there is no “have to” for us. We can both step away at any time. So that choice to be there is what makes our dynamic so special, and I don’t take it lightly that I get to be someone who helps develop these young men in athletics but also in life.
- I have played a lot of volleyball and to this day can’t get enough. I started city ball at 7 years old, club at 9 and played all the way through graduating. I was on elite teams my entire club experience including playing up 3 years on a 17-elite team, then was a 4 year starter and All American Setter at Westmont College. I started playing beach in college and was AA rated for CBVA (California Beach Volleyball Association). I still play beach with the Master’s head coach every week and hop in my practices when I’m needed.
- My favorite part of volleyball is that it’s the ultimate team sport. Every step relies on the one before to be good. To pass, we need a serve in. To set, we need a good pass. To hit, we need a good set.
But nothing compares to how much I love the strategy of it. It’s a game within a game to deal with the blockers on the other side of the net and what’s happening on our own side.
- The transition to the boys’ environment has been easy. Like I said, this is where I get to be the most me.
As you can see, Amy is a very qualified coach with lots of experience.
