Valerie R.

While I haven’t worked as a full-time professional coach, I have experience helping run summer training sessions and athletic events, where I assisted with organizing drills, encouraging athletes, and creating a positive, supportive environment for skill development.

My coaching experience has primarily been with youth and high school-aged athletes during these summer programs. I enjoy helping athletes build confidence, improve fundamentals, and develop a strong work ethic both on and off the field.

Currently, I stay active in the athletic community by participating in several recreational sports leagues in Miami. Continuing to compete has allowed me to stay connected to the game while reinforcing the importance of teamwork, communication, and maintaining an active lifestyle.

Although I do not currently hold formal coaching certifications, my background as a collegiate athlete, experience assisting with youth training, and ongoing involvement in competitive recreational sports have given me valuable leadership experience and a genuine passion for helping others grow through athletics.

I competed at the collegiate level as a student-athlete at Buffalo State College, where I developed a strong foundation in teamwork, discipline, leadership, and time management while balancing the demands of athletics and academics. Competing at the collegiate level taught me how to perform under pressure, stay committed to long-term goals, and continually strive for improvement.

While I did not compete professionally or earn major individual athletic awards, I take pride in the experience of competing as a collegiate athlete and the lessons it provided. Those experiences continue to influence how I approach leadership, mentorship, and helping others develop confidence, resilience, and a strong work ethic through sports.

A typical session with me is built around improving ball control, endurance, and confidence. Whether I’m working one-on-one or with a small group, I want every athlete to get as many touches on the ball as possible while learning the fundamentals that translate into game situations.

One thing that’s shaped the way I coach is my own journey. I didn’t start playing volleyball until I was 15 years old, which is much later than many athletes who go on to compete in college. Through a combination of high school volleyball, club volleyball, and countless hours of training on my own, I was able to earn the opportunity to play at the collegiate level. Because of that experience, I truly believe that consistent effort, intentional practice, and the right mindset can make a huge difference, no matter when an athlete starts.

Some of my most valuable training happened by myself at a handball court. I would spend hours hitting and passing against the wall, creating different drills to improve my ball control, passing accuracy, reaction time, and consistency. It also taught me how important body positioning, footwork, balance, and movement are in controlling the ball. Those are lessons I still carry with me today and incorporate into my training sessions.

My workouts usually begin with a dynamic warm-up before moving into ball control drills, passing and serving repetitions, footwork, and conditioning that builds endurance while keeping athletes engaged with the ball. In smaller group sessions especially, I focus on creating a fast-paced environment where athletes are constantly moving, communicating, competing, and encouraging one another.

More than anything, I want athletes to leave each session believing in themselves. I know firsthand what it’s like to start later than everyone else, work to catch up, and achieve goals that once seemed out of reach. My goal is to help athletes build not only their skills, but also the confidence and work ethic that will benefit them both on and off the court.