Dandi Holder’s Varsity Volleyball Ready To Pursue Championship

Staff Writers: Tyler Bras, Peyton Dalmacio, Austin Navarro

Dandi Holder’s very own girls' varsity volleyball team plans to take the state championships for themselves this year. Coach Dandi has a strong vision of where she wants the girls' team to go this year.   Starting out as a setter for St. Andrews high school team, Coach Dandi has had a lifelong passion for volleyball with many years of experience.

“It's been too many years to count,” she says, when asked how long she has been at it.  Coach Dandi’s teaching style seems to be different from other coaches, as she is very strict yet fun at the same time. She doesn’t sugar-coat anything and always gets straight to the point. With this way of training, she has won four ILH championships as well as two state championships. 

Coach Dandi also pays close attention to the players themselves. When asked about who the team captain was, she claimed not to have one.  “We don't have a team captain.  We do have floor captains, [they] are based on someone who will be on the court majority of the time and are knowledgeable of the game.”  She does not put someone on the court based on their height or skill.  There is no MVP either, because volleyball is a team sport. Coach Dandi puts in players who know a lot about the game and also contribute all their effort into self-improvement.

Speaking of getting better, when asked what the girls can do to improve as a team, Coach Dandi said, “I want all the girls to be confident, trust themselves, trust each other and ultimately have fun!!” She is also very humble when it comes to volleyball.   Lastly, when asked why she started volleyball, Coach Dandi gave three reasons. 

One, she was ”forced into it because of her brother.” Secondly, an abrasive coach had shattered her love for volleyball and used that coach to motivate her later in life and as an example of someone she doesn't want to be. Lastly, Coach Dandi felt like she was destined to play volleyball. Her entire family is made up of coaches, and she grew up around sports.  Coach Dandi was born to be a coach, and she is an outstanding one at that! Whatever she has gone through contributes to her experience, and this experience, combined with hard work has once again raised a team worthy of the championships!