New LBCC women’s volleyball coach Tyler Jackson takes on her first season as head coach after being interim coach last season.
Jackson was an assistant coach with another volleyball coach, Misty May-Treanor until she stepped down from her role as head coach after 4 years. Before being assistant coach, Jackson played at Cal State University Long Beach and was coached under May-Treanor winning a Beach Volleyball National Championship with an undefeated record her sophomore year.
During her period as an interim coach at LBCC, most of the season was canceled due to covid.
This season is a fresh start for head coach Jackson and so far has started well after six games presenting a record of 4-2 and currently on a three-game winning streak.
Several of the games saw dominant displays and heavy hits show the rebuilding stage Jackson sees for the next couple of seasons.
“This is a rebranding year and rebuilding year. Our season got cut short by covid so just helping out the girls grow more and be competitive”, head coach Jackson said.
In addition, both assistant coaches will be joining Jackson who is also new to the volleyball program. Coach Tawnee Luafalemana played beach and indoor volleyball in college at the University of Utah. The other assistant coach, Litara Keil played professionally for VT Aurubis Hamburg in Germany and during college at Loyola Marymount University.
“We’re all coming off of a covid year, all programs, and I think it’s going to take a lot to grow the program, and it’s almost like a start over,” assistant coach Keil said.
Apart from winning the conference and national championships, the coaches are setting goals for the players, improving their abilities on the sand, and creating a family environment for the team.
“She’s good at keeping a positive environment like her and all the other coaches keep a positive environment and create a family,” women’s beach volleyball player Karyzma Aualiitia said.
During practices, the coaches have set goals for each player and create a winning mentality.
“Each practice, we have each person has their own individual goals and Tyler has set a standard to reach these goals every time,” women’s beach volleyball player Liz Lopez said.
With the experience Jackson has already had during days of playing indoor and beach volleyball, her first step is to make an impact on the players, creating a competitive mentality and getting in the sand.
“Having some sand legs getting them going, but obviously we want to try to win the conference, but the goal is just to help them grow at their own pace and be competitive,” Jackson said.
LBCC Beach volleyball plays at home against El Camino on March 18, hoping to make it four wins in a row.