Columbus East High School

Columbus East High School is making waves with the addition of boys volleyball to its roster of IHSAA-sanctioned sports, and leading the charge is Kailey Smith, the program's first-ever head coach. Smith, known for her energy and dedication, is ready to build the foundation for this new team and guide them to success. The Columbus East Athletic Department recently sat down with Coach Smith to get her thoughts on coaching a newly sanctioned sport, her expectations for the upcoming season, and how she plans to build the program into a competitive force. With Smith’s leadership, the boys volleyball program is poised for a promising debut, adding even more excitement to Olympian athletics. > Can you tell us about your coaching background and how you came to this position? "I started my coaching career as the 7th grade assistant basketball coach at Northside Middle School. In 2020, I chose to expand my coaching knowledge by accepting positions in volleyball as the 7th grade head coach and the 8th grade assistant coach. One year later, after coaching both basketball and volleyball, I realized that volleyball provided the most fulfillment in my coaching career, so I ran with it. I coached a team for girls HAVOC (now Columbus Select), and then eventually became the assistant coach for the boys HAVOC team. With some persuading from a few of the boys I was coaching at the time, I chose to coach the boys' East club team in the spring of 2024. My passion for boys' volleyball ignited from there, and now I’m honored to hold the first coaching position for men’s volleyball at East High School." > What excites you the most about coaching this team in a newly adopted sport at our high school? "It’s an amazing opportunity for male athletes to showcase their natural talent and elevate the game of volleyball. My focus is on creating a strong following for men’s volleyball by building a high-energy team of athletes. Already, I’ve seen the boy’s bond quickly and positively, and I hope that sense of camaraderie attracts more support for them on this new journey. I’m thrilled to share my knowledge of men’s volleyball and offer another outlet for boys in high school sports." > How do you plan to build a strong team culture and attract new athletes to this program? "I make sure my athletes understand that we are a family. As a family, we hold each other to high standards when it comes to academics, attitude, and leadership. I encourage the boys to prioritize their academics over sports, while maintaining a positive attitude and good behavior within their community. I’m confident that younger or inexperienced athletes will see this culture and want to be part of our family." > What are your long-term goals for this season, both in terms of success and development? "My long-term goal is simple: to build the most successful high school boys' volleyball program in the state. But that won’t happen without fundamentals and teamwork, especially given that many athletes will be new to the sport. Success will come as players learn to encourage each other, work as a team, and adapt to challenges. The boys’ eagerness to improve was clear when we couldn’t participate in the state tournament last spring. That kind of mindset is success in itself. Above all, I want each player to understand their value to the team and to know that the outcomes of games do not define their worth." > How do you plan to balance individual development with team success? "Even though volleyball is a team sport, every player has a unique role. In practice, I’ll break down each position so players leave with an understanding of how their role contributes to the team’s success. We’ll also have team bonding sessions, like watching NCAA men’s volleyball games, which will appeal to different learning styles. Mistakes are crucial to development, and I expect every player to work hard to improve while encouraging their teammates to do the same." > Boys volleyball is growing in popularity. How do you plan to help establish this sport at our school? "Now that boys’ volleyball is an official IHSAA sport, I hope athletes will be open to expanding their skills and trying something new. I’m committed to creating a welcoming environment for athletes of all levels, where they can grow and feel supported. Just as I expect players to work on their skills, they can expect me to keep developing as a coach throughout the season. With mutual respect between us, I’m confident the boys will inspire others to come out and watch them play the game they love." > What are some of the key fundamentals you plan to focus on in the first season to ensure success? "I plan to meet each player at their current skill level and work from there. I’ll rely on players with more volleyball experience to help teach fundamentals, especially during our first practices together. This approach will not only build leadership skills but also create friendships within the team. Establishing strong fundamentals and team chemistry will be key to our early success." > How will you work with multi-sport athletes and balance their commitments to other teams? "I fully support my players being multi-sport athletes. It helps them become more well-rounded and keeps them in shape, while also offering skills that translate to volleyball. More than that, I love watching my boys succeed in other sports. It’s important to me to support them both on and off the court." > What’s your strategy for building a competitive boys volleyball team from the ground up? "Building from the ground up starts with having a strong foundation—supportive coaches and players who are willing to step up as leaders. Coaches need to help players learn new positions, and players should be open to exploring new roles. I plan to challenge the boys at every practice, both mentally and physically, to ensure we’re progressing each week. It’s important that the coaching staff shares the same vision for building this program." > What do you believe is the most important attribute for a successful boys’ volleyball player? "I believe the two most important attributes are coachability and a positive attitude. An athlete who can take constructive criticism and maintain a positive mindset will always improve. In fact, players who might lack experience but are eager to learn with a great attitude often end up more successful than seasoned players who lack that drive." With her deep passion for volleyball and a clear vision for team development, Coach Kailey Smith is ready to lead Columbus East’s boys’ volleyball team through its historic first season. The program is sure to grow with Smith’s guidance, and the Olympians are poised to make a strong debut in the IHSAA boys volleyball competition.