Wendy Zuber

How long have you been coaching volleyball, and what inspired you to get started?

I have been coaching for 30 years. I started coaching because I absolutely love the sport. Volleyball has given me so many opportunities—earning a college education while playing, traveling, and developing as a leader. Coaching allows me to give back by helping the next generation of athletes grow, both on and off the court.

What do you enjoy or look forward to about coaching for Alpha?

I look forward to learning from coaches and bettering my craft each year as well as working with athletes who love the game.

How do you approach developing athletes both on and off the court?

My approach to developing players focuses on growth both on and off the court. I set high, clear expectations and hold players accountable to them while providing the support they need to succeed. I strive to create an environment where athletes learn not only the technical and strategic aspects of the game, but also how to be effective teammates and confident leaders. My goal is to help each player reach their full potential as an athlete and as a person.

What can athletes and their families expect when they join your team in terms of development and growth?

When athletes and parents join my team, they can expect a positive, growth-focused environment built on communication, accountability, and development. My goal each season is to help every player become the best version of themselves—both on and off the court. If athletes are coachable and willing to put in the work, they will improve on my team. Feedback is constant, consistent, and fair, always focused on actionable steps for growth. I also emphasize open and ongoing communication between families, players, and coaches to ensure everyone is aligned and working toward the same goals.

What’s your favorite drill or coaching technique, and why do you love using it?

My favorite coaching technique isn’t tied to one specific drill, but rather to how I structure and approach every drill in practice. I believe drills should be explicitly explained, with clear goals so athletes understand exactly what we’re working to improve. For example, if the focus of a drill is footwork, then our attention stays on footwork—not the outcome of the ball. I provide consistent feedback, both praise and correction, and hold players accountable for proper technique. This approach creates a repeatable pattern across every drill and every practice, helping athletes build strong habits and see steady improvement over time.

I also strongly believe that reps in practice should be high. Players should be running the drills, not standing and watching, to maximize touches and engagement. One of my mentors once told me that players should be touching a ball every 15 seconds—and if they aren’t, it’s time to rethink the drill. I’ve carried that philosophy with me throughout my coaching career to ensure practices are efficient, fast-paced, and productive.

What’s one piece of advice you’ve received as an athlete or coach that you still carry with you today?

One piece of advice that has stuck with me throughout my coaching career is that no one cares about what you once did—they care about how you can help them get better today. As a graduate assistant coach, I remember getting frustrated with the team and starting a sentence with, “When I was in college…” After practice, the head coach pulled me aside and said, “Don’t ever say that again. They don’t care about your past accomplishments—your job is to help them improve.” That moment reshaped how I communicate and coach. Since then, I’ve focused on meeting athletes where they are and guiding them toward their own success, not mine.