Kelly Howland

A good dig will get me loud—because hustle deserves to be noticed. I was a setter at the college level, and setting is still one of my favorite parts of the game to teach. Ask me about it, and I’ll happily talk volleyball with you for a while.

This is my third season at CVA, and I’ll be working with both 14s and 10s. I’ve coached for more than 15 seasons in club volleyball, high school, private lessons, camps, and clinics. I can still demonstrate everything I teach, but my focus is always on helping each athlete understand the next progressive step she can take to improve.

In my gym, we get a lot of contacts. Players need reps to build skill, confidence, and trust in themselves, so practices are high-volume and active. For my 10s, that means learning the game through lots of touches and encouragement. For my 14s, it means developing stronger habits, learning their role, and being ready to respond when the game gets challenging.

I care much more about the next point than the last one. If an athlete shanks a ball in a tight set, she already knows it. I’m not going to replay the mistake for her—I’m going to give her the fix and help her move on. The mental side of volleyball matters, especially when players are learning how to handle pressure, mistakes, and momentum.

Every athlete on my team has a defined role, and I am clear about what that role is. Players deserve to know what is expected of them and what they can work toward. I also want athletes who are ready to listen, learn, and be coached. The game asks a lot of them, and I will ask them to stay humble, work hard, and keep growing.

My first coach gave me a quote that has stayed with me: “Don’t let the white thing hit the wood thing.” Sometimes volleyball really can be that simple. Time to hustle.

I don’t take it for granted that families trust me with their daughters for a season. Pouring into these athletes—not only on the court, but as people—is a gift I love. My door is open for questions, with one rule: not in the ten minutes after a match. Email me anytime at Kelly@courts4sports.com. I’m looking forward to getting to know these players and helping them enjoy the work of getting better.

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