Though athletes are directly responsible for a team’s success, it takes much more to ensure that a team reaches its highest potential. The coaching staff is an important asset to any successful team, working with the team members and helping them realize their potential. While most of the credit goes to the head coach, the assistant coaches play just as important a role in preparing a team for a game.
First-year assistant coach Ted Wade brings years of volleyball experience to the Cavaliers. Having been an University of Texas assistant coach and working with the U.S. Youth and Junior National Teams, he has been a part of several successful programs and knows what it takes to win.
“We finished fifth both years, made the NCAA Tournament, missing the Final Four,” Wade said of his experience at the University of Texas. “It was really good prep to see what college volleyball is about, what it takes to win and how much commitment and time and effort it takes, which I think is one of the reasons [Head Coach] Lee [Maes] likes to have me here, so that experience can carry over to his team.”
Working with the 2006 U.S. Women’s Junior National Team, Wade had the opportunity to coach some of the finest players in the world.
“We finished fourth in the world,” Wade said. “The kids are super good, the best kids in the U.S. in their age group.”
With the Cavaliers, Wade works primarily with the middle blockers and calls blocking schemes with the defense during plays. Having been with the team for several months, he said the biggest challenge is stamina.
“Our challenge is to be able to pull out our best game for longer periods of time,” Wade said. “It’s all in there. It’s there for 5 minutes, sometimes 10, 15 minutes. We got to get it to two and a half hours. But it’s in there.”
Coaches must work together to make sure everyone is on the same page and focused on the common goal of winning. Maes has high regard for his assistants and knows they are critical to the team’s success.
“Ted is our defensive coordinator,” Maes said. “He oversees our scouting, so he does a really nice job in terms of evaluating what an opponent does and it helps. As a staff we get together and we make our game plan based on the work he does in preparation.”
The Cavaliers have high regard for Wade’s work. Junior defensive specialist Brittani Rendina said Wade has made a significant impact on the team.
“He’s really involved in every play,” Rendina said, “So we always look to him for feedback. We’re really glad to have him; he’s a big contribution.”
Senior middle Shannon Davis, who was a part of the Austin Juniors Volleyball Club when Wade worked there, said she appreciates what he does for the team.
“He brings so much knowledge to the game,” Davis said. “He’s played and coached forever. I’ve known him for such a long time. He knows the position well, he knows the game well, and he really just adds with our other two coaches to make a great threesome.”
Team chemistry, whether it is among players or coaches, is critical for a team to do well. Wade fits in well with the Cavaliers, earning the respect of players and coaches alike. The Cavaliers hope to build upon this team chemistry to have a successful season.
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