As the whole world has turned upside down due to a global pandemic, CHS fall sports season was put on hold and started the first week of March, in between winter and spring sports. One of these teams is girls volleyball who is coached by Tracey Thompson.

Coach Thompson played volleyball at Kellam High School and then went on to play in college for Norfolk State. She has coached a club team for 14 years and has coached at the school for four years. The girl’s team, who won the state championship pre-Covid, plans to hit the court on Wednesday, March 9, against First Colonial High School.  

Q: How did you get into the sport of volleyball?

A: “I started to play volleyball at 12 years old for Tidewater Volleyball Association and fell in love with the sport! I continued through high school and played ball in college at Norfolk State. I now coach both club and high school volleyball.”

Q: How long have you coached here?

A: “This will be my fourth season here at Cox!”

Q: What made you decide to take the coaching job for high school?

A: “I was interested in joining a growing program and I was given the opportunity to be a part of Cox, which I quickly became the head coach for the same season.”

Q: What is your favorite part of being a coach?

A: “My favorite part of coaching is mentoring and pushing young athletes to be the best they can be on and off the court! In the past, Cox has had hardships with maintaining the level of play that the players offered the school. They needed to believe in themselves and it was amazing to see the transformation.”

Q: What are the biggest challenges your team has faced with Covid?

A: “The biggest challenge is maintaining a safe and healthy environment so we can have a successful, full season.”

Q: How has winning states last year impacted your plan going forward with the next season?

A: “Winning states was a wonderful thing for our program. Every season is a new season and I expect us to compete hard and be extremely successful. States could very much be in our future!”

Q: What do you hope to see from your team this season?

A: “I hope to see my team believe that they can be successful and be the best teammates to one another.”

Q: Do you have any advice for kids who are new to the sport of volleyball, or sports in general?

A: “I encourage young athletes to learn as much about a sport as they can learn and give 100%. Sports are not everything but you can learn a lot about yourself and the world while playing sports.”

Q: Who do you think might be your biggest competition for this season?

A: “I believe our biggest competition is Princess Anne, First Colonial, Kempsville, and Kellam.”

Q: If you could give one piece of advice for the future to your team what would it be?

A: “Lay it all out on the court every match and don’t have any regrets.”

Q: What three words would you use to describe the girl’s volleyball team?

A: “Hardworking, competitive, and fun!”

Q: What is your favorite memory over the past four years as a Falcon head coach?

A: “My favorite memory is the night we won states. That is a huge accomplishment for any team.”