On today’s episode of the TCA podcast, our host Cynthia Yanof speaks with the Girls' Athletic Director and Varsity Basketball Coach Jeff Smith and Varsity Volleyball Coach Steve Collins to hear all about the girls' sports at TCA and about the varsity volleyball season.
Jeff tells us about TCA’s philosophy for girls' sports and how he works to advocate for girls' teams and ensure the programs get what they need. TCA’s commitment to hiring great coaches and developing character through our programs sets us apart. TCA encourages girls to play
multiple sports, leading to better athletes and helping our teams compete better. Our girls love to have fun with their teammates.
The varsity basketball team is a young team but will return players Grace Leverton and Sophia Miller. There is a new TAPPS playoff format for basketball, and even though we are in a tough district, we are looking forward to a good season. The off-season starts after Labor Day and the
the season starts in November.
Steve Collins was a college baseball player but first played volleyball during high school in Singapore. His interest in volleyball continued with playing in USAV, and then he got into coaching.
Volleyball tryouts began on August 1, and the season started quickly after. The varsity team plays 35-40 games during the season and about 20 games in the preseason. The team has already competed in several tournaments before school started.
Coaching with Steve is Carlos Rosado, who is the assistant varsity coach; he grew up playing volleyball in Puerto Rico and played in college there. TCA’s JV coach is Carlos Luna. He has played volleyball professionally and also in the Beijing Olympics.
Our district is very competitive, and the team must play its best to win – there are no easy games. But that intensity builds and drives the energy for practice and the next game.
Steve's favorite thing about coaching at TCA is the blending of academics, Christianity, and athletics. He asks Senior players to step up and lead the team. Encouraging them to communicate the standards and traditions to the younger players. The players develop the program with the coach's guidance.
Some volleyball players play on a club team, but about half play other sports at school. For parents of younger girls interested in volleyball, Steve encourages playing volleyball
either on the rec level or club level. There are many places to get involved in the sport throughout DFW.
To wrap up, Jeff lists the girls' sports offered at TCA, including volleyball, basketball, dance, cheer, golf, softball, swimming, track, cross country and tennis.
Jeff has an open-door policy stop by if you have a question or email him at jsmith@trinitychristian.org
Our varsity volleyball season is underway. Come out and support our athletes! See the game schedule below:
https://www.trinitychristian.org/athletics/teams-schedules/t/~athletics-team-id/138
