SPORTS: New coach takes reins of TAMIU volleyball
By Kathy Salinas
Bridge Staff Writer
Published Friday, Sept. 27, 2024
Utilizing what she defines as a unique approach for training athletes, TAMIU’s new volleyball coach takes the reins of the team this Fall.
As new freshmen join the program, so does a new coach: Tammie Jimenez is the newest addition, hailing from Midland College.
“My philosophy is based on: simple is better than complex,” Jimenez said.
New TAMIU volleyball coach Tammie Jimenez holds up a chart during a game on Sept. 28.
The coach’s approach to training her players relies on strengthening the fundamentals of the game. In a nutshell, volleyball is passing and serving. Jimenez aims to create a mindset in her athletes that focuses on personal growth that serves each woman beyond her college volleyball career and that serves the rest of the team.
The words “new” and “uncomfortable” were seldom said by the coach while describing her style and approach to training the team, especially as a newcomer to Laredo.
“I’m human, they’re human,” Jimenez said. “We encounter the same silly things …You have to be personable with these student-athletes because they want to know that we’re human.”
With many changes to the team’s roster, adapting is part of the training process. The team members work to embrace this change; many are new to TAMIU volleyball and expressed their growth in the game and in their individual mindsets.
Defensive Specialist/Libero Samantha Estrada (#19), originally from San Antonio, emphasized how close and comfortable she is in creating a relationship with Jimenez and described the coach as detail-oriented in her training.
“She had all the things I wanted in a coach,” Estrada said. “She does let us be ourselves.”
New TAMIU volleyball coach Tammie Jimenez leads the team during a game on Sept. 28.
Setter Emma Lade (#1), originally from Minnesota, recounted her experiences with other coaches and pointed out the difference in Jimenez’s training due to her focus on the pass-and-serve game. Lade said she appreciated the coach’s approach to training the team.
“Being patient is really good because we’re all learning with so many new people coming in,” Lade said. “College is way different than high school.”
Defensive Specialists/Liberos Lixai Perez (#3), originally from Puerto Rico, and Laredo native Marianna Gamboa (#8) both described the process of meeting new teammates and creating a team, which they found to be an enjoyable experience. The process and coaching style Jimenez uses helps create a comfortable and healthy environment and has helped the women improve their development in and outside the court.
Making mistakes, living in the moment and focusing on the little things, are the main points the women said helped them stay disciplined as athletes. Fostering positive mindsets is the most essential part of the coach’s approach when she trains teammates. Her coaching style is intended to motivate her team to continue improving themselves and becoming well-rounded student-athletes.
“I really buy into what she’s bringing,” Perez said.
Gamboa added, “She takes pride in making sure we understand … We don’t play with stress; we don’t play with fear.”
Remaining in the Top 8 for the Lone Star Conference is one of the biggest goals for the team members, as well as playing against their toughest competitors. Simplicity and patience are going to be essential for the team to remain in the Top 8 and for their hope to climb the ranks to play at the national level.
