Andrew Evans is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Coronado High School for AZPreps365.com

Coronado (3-10) has seen its fair share of struggles, winning no more than three matches in any of the past five seasons.

In the Dons' head coach Alex Smothers' third season, he has led his team to match the three-win threshold with four more opportunities to surpass that total.

“Changing the volleyball culture at Coronado has been a different type of challenge compared to my prior coaching stops but it has been so fun to work with the team and I am so happy where we are now,” Smothers said.

Smothers moved to Arizona from Illinois in 2022 and took Coronado's head volleyball coach job. Smothers’ journey began 10 years ago, after his playing career concluded.

“My high school volleyball coach reached out to me to see if I wanted to get into coaching," Smothers said. "I started out coaching freshman B-team boys volleyball and haven't looked back since."

More opportunities came after he got his foot in the door coaching all levels in boys and girls' volleyball, Smothers said. 

As the opportunities and experience come, the goals that Smothers have set are constantly changing.

“Ten years ago, I wanted to be a college coach," Smother explained. "I have been able to observe and help coach at a couple of different colleges and made some great connections along the way.

"Five years ago, I wanted to be the ‘program rebuilder’ where I can take a certain situation with a volleyball program and make it into something more positive and have it going in the right direction,” Smothers said.

With where Smothers’ career currently stands, he is in the process of accomplishing his primary goal from five years ago. It is one thing to say it, but taking on the challenge of bringing a program from deep struggle and attempting to bring it to unseen heights is incredibly difficult.

“Leaving Illinois was always going to take me out of my bubble and into a coaching world where I was a nobody," Smothers said. "Changing the volleyball culture at Coronado has been a different type of challenge compared to my prior coaching stops."

Despite the Dons' losing record, Smothers is happy with where the program is at after failing to win a game in each of the previous two seasons.

When it comes to the players, it is a common theme among them that playing for coach Smothers is an enjoyable experience.

“He's really supportive and always encourages us. During rough times he knows how to lift our spirits and boost our energy,” senior Mikayla Gorman said. 

Senior Chandara Louis shared a similar tone regarding Smothers’ impact on the program.

“I've been able to learn more about myself as a setter from his coaching and he is also great at cracking jokes and making us laugh and enjoy the game more,” Louis said.

The future is unclear for Smothers and the Coronado girls volleyball program. However, there is a lot of optimism for the program as Smothers has it on the right trajectory.