Haylie Scott is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Dobson High School for AZPreps365.com 

MESA – The Dobson High School Mustangs have struggled this season, but this hasn’t stopped head coach Brett Travis from bringing a fun energy to every game and practice that has uplifted his players. 

In their second season, the boys beach volleyball team at Dobson found themselves looking for a new head coach at the start of the school year. Head coach Brett Travis, who also teaches Spanish at Dobson, decided to take the coaching position despite having never coached beach volleyball before.

“One, they needed a coach. Two, I love sports, I’m very competitive and beach seemed like an easy sport to start coaching, not a lot of barriers to getting into it.” Travis said.

Even though Travis doesn’t have the most experience as a head coach he had played beach volleyball before. 

“I lived in Brazil for a while and I used to play volleyball on the beach in Brazil, but not for a league,” Travis said.  

Even with Dobson’s record being 2-10, the Mustangs still show up to every practice and match with a fun and supportive energy. 

“I think the key to that is keeping practices fun. You know, if you have tough games, and then you come back, and you have tough practices then the kids are going to get demotivated,” Travis said. “As long as they’re playing games and they’re doing fun little activities, then they tend to keep the atmosphere piloted.” 

Keeping the atmosphere focused, but also supportive and uplifting, is a reason why many of the players have stuck with the sport despite the team's lack of success. Freshman Anthony Sourathathone Martinez spoke about the atmosphere and “how fun it is to play outside, it’s like we are at the beach.” 

Sophomore Eduardo Ramirez also mentioned how the fun surrounding the team has helped him. “I would say the atmosphere. It’s not just my team, it’s just the environment, I would say that really affects how I play volleyball.” 

The players have appreciated the environment Travis has created and have really been able to grow and make improvements this season. 

“I think the best part is just seeing some drastic changes in the boys. Some of them have gained a lot of confidence, some of them have become more lighthearted and less serious and all of them have made friends,” Travis said. 

Freshman Julian Vega echoed how he has progressed and grown in his first year playing beach volleyball.

“Being with my teammates, being able to practice with them, it helps me a lot,” Vega said. “With tips on how to serve and how to pass, I just grew a lot since the beginning of the season.”

Vega also credited Travis and how “he’s always been pretty supportive, and I really appreciate that from him.” 

While this season didn’t go the way Travis had hoped it would, he is excited for the future of beach volleyball at Dobson and is looking to build off of his first years experience.  
 
“I think I’m just sad because I’ve had such a good time out here with the boys,” Travis said. “But I am excited for the girls' season to get started.”