Columbus head volleyball coach Kayley Johns

CELEBRATING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

As the calendar rolls over to March it is time to celebrate some of the strong female figures in Colorado County.

Starting off the celebration is Columbus head volleyball coach Kayley Johns, and she was almost surprised she was chosen.

“I am very humbled and honored to hear that I was one of the first people that you thought of in our wonderful community that is full of strong female figures,” Johns said. “Thank you so much for thinking of me in this way.”

A brief summary of coach John’s time here in Columbus is that she has coached here for 10 seasons for the Lady Cardinals volleyball team. In those 10 seasons they played a grand total of 440 games and Johns led the Lady Cards to victory in 331 of them.

That is a 75%-win percentage over a 10-year span while at Columbus and to this day Johns will not take any of the credit.

“The success of our program has been because I have had the honor to coach some amazing, determined and hard-working athletes who have had big goals and ere committed to the team and doing whatever it takes to reach those goals,” Johns said. “They deserve the credit for the success.”

Johns gives the credit to her athletes for all the success that they have has but she understands her role as a coach, leader and woman in society. She understands that the world can be a tough place and tries to pass on wisdom to her players while she has them.

“I definitely strive to be a strong female leader to my athletes and to teach them to do everything with confidence. Adversity is a part of life, don’t back down from any challenge because those challenges will make you stronger. Hard work is always expected whether it is right now in sports, school, or in their future with their career,” Johns said. “I also think that it is important to teach our athletes to have a great character, be kind, be grateful, be honest, be compassionate, be selfless, and be the best possible teammate you can be. These are all life lessons they will use for the rest of their lives. I love that I get to work with these amazing female athletes and my amazing coaching staff each day. We have the best job where we get to coach what we love but also teach these female athletes so many life lessons, compete to reach their goals, and be a part of some great successful programs. I just hope that I have made a positive life lasting impact like my coaches did on me.”

Just like she just mentioned, Johns said her coaches, Coach Kecia Davis and Coach Linda Kobersky in high school, had a major impact on her as a young woman and is a reason why she is coaching today. Kobersky coached Johns at the junior high level in both volleyball and basketball before being coached by Davis in both sports in high school.

Johns said the entire experience with these two ladies was a blessing.

“Both of these women were tough, expected hard work daily, did not want to hear excuses, and would put us through some of the hardest workouts ever, but at the same time they both loved us dearly and wanted what was best for us,” Johns said. “I would say that most athletes who were coached by them would agree with me. They are the reason I am a coach today. Their passion for the kids and success was/is very evident in everything that they did and still do. Remembering their impact makes me want to work harder every day to continue to have a positive impact on my athletes. My girls know that I am one of the most competitive people, and that I expect that they go all out all the time in everything that we do, but I also want them to know how much I love them like they are my own kiddos and that I will always be there for them no matter what.”

Johns will be back coaching the Lady Cardinals volleyball team next season where she will continue to coach, teach and prepare the next generation of strong women in Colorado County.