Downey Head Coach Andrea Sims addresses her 21-4 Vikings after a win over Lynwood
Who are the coaches that coach your favorite high school team? The Coaches’ Corner Series puts a different coach each week through a obstacles course of questions to give a little more insight into these sideline warriors.
This week I take some time to step back into the volleyball world and talk with head girls volleyball coach Andrea Sims, whose Vikings are undefeated in league and looking to give coach her third CIF title.
PT: Coach, you have been doing this for a long time, what keeps you going?
AS: I love the “Ah ha” moments, when a girl comes into the program and I see them progress and get that one moment where they go ‘Oh, that’s what you are talking about.’ That’s why I do this. Just to make sure they take this on past the gym and carry it on into their lives. They may not get it now, but they will eventually.
PT: Even though you have been coaching for so many years, is there something you still haven’t mastered as a coach?
AS: I hate playing catchup. I’ve been trying for 19 years to get the girls to come out and stay strong and not be lackadaisical. And I still haven’t figured out how to get them to stay pushing the entire time rather than ‘Oh let’s put on our heels and play catchup now.’
PT: What do you remember about your first season as a head coach?
AS: My first season as a head coach, that was 19 years ago! Oh my goodness. I remember my first season we played at Aliso Viejo or something like that. I remember when we brought the girls in, we had to travel for CIF, they were looking around like it the Hoosiers movie. They were like ‘what is this.’ and I’m laughing at them saying ‘We got this! We got this!’ My girls seriously looked at me like we were in Hoosiers. The gym was not the same size (as ours). Everything was so much bigger and it was pretty funny.
PT: Assuming you were a player growing up, what sort of player were you?
AS: I played and I was a very passionate and aggressive player, but I definitely was the spark plug on the team. I had fun. I liked getting my teammates energized and I was definitely that kind of person.
PT: What is the best and hardest part of begin a coach?
AS: The hardest part about being a coach is now seeing a play happening and knowing what to do to fix it and not being able to get out there and do it. You just have to hope that your players listen to you in practice and then do it on the court. The best part is when they do listen and you get to stand over there and say ‘thank you, they were listening. They were playing attention!’
PT: So Halloween theme questions now since it’s coming up. Are you excited about it?
AS: I am absolutely excited. I have two little boys, a fourth grader and a sixth grader. I think I’m more excited about Halloween now then when I was growing up, just seeing it through their eyes, it’s a blast!
PT: Favorite scary movie?
AS: I’m stumped. I have no idea. *Sims would later text her favorite scary movie: Poltergeist*
PT: Favorite costume you wore growing up?
AS: You are killing me. I told you I wasn’t into it when I was growing up. I got this….no, I’ve got nothing this is terrible. You are going to be walking away and I’m going to remember. *Sims would also text her answer to this question: Raggedy Anne*
PT: Favorite candy?
AS: *Silence*
PT: This can’t be that hard *laughs*
AS: No it’s just that there is so many. Sprees! Yeah you weren’t expecting that. And if it’s chocolate then it’s a Snickers. Hands down.
PT: Out of all your league titles and championships is there one that sticks out. Or do they all have the same weight to you?
AS: Obviously 2010 and 2011 when we won CIF, those were pretty special. But I think 2010 might be a little more memorable because that’s when we started Dig Pink and to go to and win a first CIF championship. All those firsts that was probably the most memorable but all of them have been special.
PT: If you were not a volleyball coach, what sport would you be coaching?
AS: It definitely would not be a contact sport. I need a net in-between me.
PT: Tennis? Badminton?
AS: Yeah I don’t think it would be basketball. I’d be too aggressive. Soccer I’d probably trip over my own feet. Football. I’d be the next female QB.
PT: Haha what number would you wear?
AS: Eight.
PT: That’s my favorite number.
AS: It’s the best.
PT: Coach if you could finish this sentence: Coaching a winning team feels…
AS: Gratifying. It feels gratifying knowing that you have done all this stuff in practice and then seeing it come together.
Also, when I come back in my next volleyball life, I’m going to be a left-handed setter. A quarterback of a football team or a left-handed setter.
PT: Haha I’ll makes sure to get that in.