Kofa’s volleyball head coach looks to inspire next generation

Amanda Kochis had a unique path to coaching volleyball but now hopes to be a role model for high school athletes

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - Kofa's Head Volleyball Coach Amanda Kochis played Division II soccer, but that didn't stop her from wanting to lead the charge for Kings volleyball, especially when the most important part is building relationships.

"The first week that I met them, we were goofing around, inside jokes," Kochis said. "I'm on the younger side, I would like to say, so I do relate to them a lot more too."

For Kochis, returning home to Yuma was a no-brainer. Her family's deep roots at Kofa made the decision even easier.

"I enjoyed my high school years," Kochis said. "But also my dad coaching girls soccer here, my brother coaching cross country here. I'm a big family person, so coming back, being in town, and also kind of being co-workers with my family is awesome."

There's one person in particular who has inspired her to continue her sports journey: Her father.

"I just see how much love he has for his players and the drive that he has," Kochis said. "It's someone that I look up to, and he's a great role model, and so that's kind of pushed me as well to coach."

Transitioning from the soccer pitch to the volleyball court might seem unusual, but Kochis says her passion for the sport made it a natural move.

"With volleyball, I think it was just one of those things that I didn't play since I was little, but I think I wish I had," Kochis said. "When I had the amazing coaches that I had, I was like I want to be that person and better for the younger generation."

Even though the Kings finished the season with a 7–12 record, Kochis believes there's much more to the game than the final result on the scoreboard.

"My biggest coaching philosophy is that a student-athlete's success isn't always measured by the score at the end of the match," Kochis said. "Just because they had one bad day, it doesn't define the rest of our season or themselves as a player."

As Kochis turns her attention to the upcoming soccer season, she's made it clear that the real victories come long after the final whistle.