United States Olympian Kayla Banwarth spent five months volunteering as assistant coach for Pepperdine’s men’s volleyball team this year.
She was very committed and her schedule proves it. She drove a 60-mile commute to Pepperdine for practice, according to information shared by the school, and right after would drive to her national team practice which would sometimes be followed by four hours in the weight room.
According to ABC News, Banwarth said that coaching has helped her be “more mindful [of] how [she] is technically on the court.”
She has played as the back row specialist for the US National Team since 2013 and her coaching experience has only helped her game.
Her coach, Kiraly, said that the coaching opportunity forced her into becoming “even more professional in terms of … understanding the game from a coaching standpoint” and managing her time better.
Banwarth and her team are 4-0 and will next play Team China on Sunday, Aug. 14.