JV girls volleyball coach Ariana Cano
What inspired you to be a coach?
“I have been playing volleyball for a long time now, and I wanted to do something that related to the sport and give back. I also teach at UVM and love teaching, so this is a good combination of two things I really enjoy doing.”
What is the most challenging aspect of coaching, and how do you handle it?
“I think the biggest challenge is being disciplined but also having fun while playing with the players and the sport. Usually, discipline takes hard work and it usually pushes you. Having fun is always fun so it is trying to find a balance because I want my players to have a good time but also learn and grow along the way.”
What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about your sport?
“That you have to be tall to be good at it. Just because you are short doesn’t mean you can’t jump or be good at defense. Volleyball is a very varied sport with six different spots on the court, so there is always room for all sorts of people.”
In your experience, what separates good athletes from great athletes?
“Discipline and that extra effort. You can tell that the people who take it seriously, and work hard relentlessly pays off. Great athletes are the ones that are willing to work hard, long hours, push themselves, and have a growth mindset to continue improving.”
How do you handle losses or disappointing performances, both personally and with your team?
“Losses are an opportunity for us to learn how to improve, and what we need to work on. In fact, losses are essential in becoming great. We try to take some time to talk about what we did wrong, and focus the following practices around improving.”
What do you hope your athletes take away from their time under your coaching, beyond just skills for the sport?
“Hard work pays off in everything, not just volleyball. I think playing sports teaches you so many different things that are strongly applicable to real life. Patience, persistence, and ability to continue to improve are skills that we need as humans on and off the courts.”
How has coaching impacted you personally?
“I have grown so much as a player thanks to learning how to teach the sport. I also have learned so much as a human. I came from a really intense volleyball experience and from a State Champion High School and travel team, my coaches instilled in us that winning was everything. After having a lot of distance from that experience, I have learned that winning isn’t everything and that in order to win you don’t have to be a really intense mean coach, you can actually develop your players by also learning about them, what motivates them, and making this a positive experience all and all. I have learned that there is more value in helping my players become more complete humans rather than just volleyball players that win a game or not, or how to work together, or even learn new tricks. BHS JV volleyball has taught me a lot about that. Now that I have been here for four years, I get to see the senior team (which was my first year coaching when they were freshman) how great that impact can be. Not only are they great volleyball players they are also incredible humans.”
What’s your favorite weird food combo?
“This question really stumped me, which leads me to think I am not that adventurous with my food. This is not weird at all BUT I love white rice, and fried plantains. It is the best food combo and has been my favorite food combo since I was a kid.”
If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be and why?
“I think it would be Japan. I really love the natural world, and Japan is one of the places in the world where you can snowboard and surf on the same day by taking a train. I work in the environmental world as my full-time job so going to a place that has such a unique access to nature as such while using local transportation is so captivating to me. Also, their food is just stellar.”
What’s your favorite part about interacting with students?
“I am going to answer this specifically to BHS students. BHS students are different, I really love how independent they are but also the personalities they all have. Being part of a program in the city where I also live just gives this element of helping the local community, and also recognizing that my students are also involved in the community in other ways. BHS also has such a diverse demographic and I love that. I played in a team where there was no majority- everyone was from a different part of the world, and BHS in a lot of ways is like that- which is so so cool. I learn so much from the students, they keep me on my toes, and also are just overall fun to interact with.”