Taylor McGaugh
How long have you been coaching volleyball, and what inspired you to get started?
I previously started coaching in 2020 and continued for three years. I was playing at Asbury and wanted to spread the love of the game to young girls. I wanted to start coaching again this year because I missed not just the game but also spreading my knowledge and love to the girls.
What do you enjoy or look forward to about coaching for Alpha?
I’m looking forward to being somewhere that not only prioritizes their players and parents but also their coaching staff. As well as being somewhere organized and attentive to needs.
How do you approach developing athletes both on and off the court?
Off the court I believe creating confidence is the most important thing. Behind the confidence of a player becomes love and work ethic to continue the sport. On the court I drive my players to use teamwork. We win as a team and lose as a team. No one person is to blame.
What can athletes and their families expect when they join your team in terms of development and growth?
They can expect a fun and encouraging environment where they will learn to play with energy and confidence regardless of the score, other team, or even myself. They can also expect them to learn not just their chosen position but every other position as I believe a well rounded player important to understanding the game and what to watch for on the other side of the net.
What’s your favorite drill or coaching technique, and why do you love using it?
I love game play. I think getting to play is the way to learn the game. Obviously the technical skills are important. However, those skills can be corrected in practice and directly applied in game play. Seeing the court and how to read the opposing team can help develop a players IQ and improve their confidence when stepping into an actual game.
What’s one piece of advice you’ve received as an athlete or coach that you still carry with you today?
It doesn’t matter how much athleticism you’ve been blessed with. What matters is how hard you work to improve your skills. My first coach told me “never give up” as cliche as that sounds I believe that it is important to improving your skills.