Getting to know Coach Meade

1. tell me about yourself, your playing career/coaching career leading up to coaching here

• I grew up in southwest Virginia and was late starting my volleyball career in comparison to other athletes outside of the area. My freshman year of high school my coach suggested that I look into playing club ball. Within a couple weeks, I tried out for Tri-Cities Extreme in Bristol, TN. To my surprise, because I was behind comparatively to athletes from outside of southwestern Virginia, I made a team. I give the coaches at Tri-Cities a large deal of credit for my success as not only a player, but also as a coach too. Under the instruction of many amazing coaches, I started getting noticed by college coaches for multiple positions. I continued my volleyball career at the University of Pikeville and had the opportunity to play with and against many incredible players from all over the world. While in college, my interest in coaching was sparked by my college Coach, Obed Quiles. I started coaching and assisting with AAU teams, and eventually moved to coaching my own high school and club teams. Now that I am the head coach at SWCC, I look forward to expanding volleyball knowledge within the area and fine-tuning the technical skill of my athletes to send them to 4-year colleges so that they continue playing beyond their JUCO eligibility.

2: why did you start coaching

• I started coaching because I am passionate about the game. I have a high volleyball IQ and outgoing and energetic personality, which players really respond to well. I want to help local athletes who don’t have access to knowledgeable coaches and I want all my players to be successful on and off the court. Caring and passion is a large part of the job.

3: why did you choose to coach at SWCC

• I chose Southwest not only because it was a great growing opportunity for my coaching career, but because it is a fast-growing and positive school to be a part of. Everyone in our athletic department are amazing, regardless of the sport, to succeed. SWCC has great potential, as a JUCO, to become well known and used by DI and DII NCAA schools for recruiting. 

4: what is a message you would give to someone wanting to join your program.

• If you are passionate about the game and want to be a part of a family-oriented team, SWCC is a great place to be. Be coachable, take criticism well, and be ready to see growth in yourself as an athlete and person because my job, as a coach, is to mold and push for the best version of you.