We sat down with Coach Cortright of Miami's Varela High School after districts this year. She has been coaching since 1996. We found a person that is vibrant and enthusiastic about Volleyball both in her playing days and now coaching.
SFVR: When did your love for Volleyball start?
Cortright: Probably during my first year of high school in 10th grade. My coach was Stephanie Gibson and she taught us to love the game before anything.
SFVR: How has Volleyball impacted your life?
Cortright: Volleyball has been a vital part of my life the past 20 years. It helped me pay for my education and led me into a career in teaching and coaching.
SFVR: Where have you coached in the past?
Cortright:- Fairmont State University (1996) – After my playing career, student assistant
- Miami Sunset High School (1997-2000) – Assistant Coach
- South Florida Volleyball Club (1996-2000) – Head Coach 14’s, 17’s, and 18’s
- Varela High School (2000-present) – Head Coach
SFVR: Tells of your experience as Head Coach of Varela’s Volleyball team?
Cortright: My experience has been great. It was an honor to be given the opportunity as a young coach to start a program from scratch and have an impact on as many young ladies as I have been able to. The student-athletes that have come through Varela have helped to make a name for our program and the support of the administration throughout the years has been tremendous.
SFVR: What were your expectations of the season before it started?
Cortright: We were a young team this season so there was definitely a re-building process that took place. Our starting rotation consisted of only 3 Seniors and included 4 juniors and 2 sophomores. The ultimate expectation was to be competitive in every match and improve throughout the season.
SFVR: Explain how you felt having your team eliminated in the district tournament this year?
Cortright: You never like to be eliminated early and this was the first time Varela has not competed beyond Districts in 4 years… so of course there is disappointment. However, we are in an incredibly competitive district and finished the season 17-9, which for a team that graduated 7 seniors was very good.
SFVR: What message did you give your returning players for next year?
Cortright: Work hard and take the lessons of this year with you. The off-season will be important for us to prepare for next year. We will be the team with experience next year and we need to learn how to take advantage of that.
SFVR: Will any of your players play for a USAV Club this season?
Cortright: There will definitely be some that play, but I will not know details until after tryouts next month.
SFVR: Do you offer a summer camp or open gym for Varela and younger students?
Cortright: We will be holding a few middle school clinics in the Spring, 2009.
SFVR: Tell us a little more about you:
What is your favorite book? Anything by John Grisham
What is your favorite band / song? U2/ With or Without You Do you go to the AVP when it’s in town? Yes
We wish the best of luck to Coach Cortright, her Varela Vipers or where-ever life and volleyball takes her. We will post Varela's Spring Camp information for middle school players as the it approaches.
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