“You not just volleyball players – you're much more,” said Bryant. “You're also daughters, sisters, students, classmates and many other things, so always remember that. Volleyball shouldn't define who you are as a person.”
According to Bryant, the interpersonal skills required to be a good teammate on the court go a long way toward being a good person away from the game.
“All of these girls are going to be grown women one day,” said Bryant. “Let's face it – women have a reputation of being catty toward one another. So, I teach them it's okay to have differing opinions on things – that's going to happen. But, learn how to communicate that properly to others.”
For the first two seasons of the new program's existence, the Lady Wranglers will play freshman and junior varsity, respectively, with an eye on a varsity debut in the third year, which means Bryant will have plenty of time to indoctrinate her players into her system of play.
“I have two years to teach the kids how to be what I know they can be,” she said. “As coaches, we'll be able to learn their strengths and weaknesses. Our goal is to help them gain knowledge, skill and confidence in preparing them to be good.”
Bryant has over a decade of coaching experience under her belt, with her most previous stop being as an assistant coach at Odessa College, where she also played for the Wranglers after beginning her college career at the University of Texas-Permian Basin, following a playing career at her hometown Odessa High School.
However, before her stint as a college coach, Bryant spent three years running the volleyball program at Midland Christian School, a kindergarten through 12th grade institution, so she has valuable experience overseeing players of all ages during their development through the years – precisely what she is now doing in readying the Wranglers of tomorrow and today – keeping focus on the present while simultaneously having one eye on the future.
“With not having varsity for the first two years, I'll be able to stay in the moment by going to a lot of middle-school matches to see those players and be able to build relationships,” said Bryant. “I can't wait to see what we're all going to look like together in year three.”
Bryant said the volleyball environment in Central Texas is a stark contrast to the one she grew up in.
“Compared to West Texas, it's a lot different culture here,” she said. “So many people are willing to play club volleyball.”
Despite the fact the program is only in its infant stages, Bryant still expects certain things from her players, but also knows she must be ready for whatever comes her way.
“Is there a certain way I want us to play? Yes,” she said. “But, at the same time, I have to be open-minded with my expectations for year one because I don't know all of our players yet. However, serving, passing, setting and hitting are the foundation and are always the same.”
Hence the emphasis on team building while this initial period passes, said Bryant.
“Our players need confidence behind them and the ability to be able to trust each other and their coaches,” she said. “I want all of them to develop and grow and be confident in their bodies, so when the game speeds up, they won't lose confidence, but have the skills and know-how to be successful.”
After graduating college, Bryant ventured out into the business world, planning on making a career in those surroundings, but said the itch to be around the game never left her and eventually led her back to coaching full-time.
“Even when I was working in Austin, I was still coaching in my spare time,” she said. “But, then the opportunity at Midland Christian came along and it was perfect – I've never looked back since.”
In fact, Bryant almost ended up in Liberty Hill a few years earlier than she eventually did, but fate has a way of working itself out, she said.
“I actually interviewed to be (former Liberty Hill head coach) Gretchen Peterson's assistant,” said Bryant. “But, then the offer to go to Odessa College opened up. College coaching is so hectic and my husband and I were looking for a slower lifestyle and an awes... Click here to read full article
ARTICLE SOURCE:
