Liberty assistant volleyball coach Katie Goulding: Two feet in
LIBERTY, Mo. — In January, Katie Goulding was named the 2023 Missouri High School Volleyball Coaches Association Class 5 Assistant Coach of the Year. It’s quite an honor for a coach who has put in a lot of years and effort for the very successful Liberty Jays Volleyball. The program has won seven district championships since 2010 and appeared in two state final-four finishes in 2014 and 2019.
Goulding grew up in the “Ice Cream Capital of the World,” Le Mars, Iowa, home of Wells Enterprises, Inc., the world’s largest producer of ice cream novelties. She attended Gehlen Catholic High School and competed in softball, basketball, and volleyball. In high school, Goulding knew she loved working with people and her sociology classes. She already knew she wanted to have a future working with kids.
Goulding had the opportunity to continue playing volleyball after high school. She attended Benedictine College, played volleyball for four years, and earned a degree in Primary Education. From there, she got a teaching job in Excelsior Springs, where she also coached. Along the way, she gained a Master’s Degree in Reading from Northwest Missouri State.
In 2007, she continued her career by moving to the Liberty school district. Goulding also continued coaching, first with the 8th grade, then to the JV team in 2010.
For team success, Goulding sees team culture as critical.
“It’s super important that you build a team culture where players, coaches, everybody bought in,” says Goulding.
“Those relationships and the culture you build are what you need to get everybody on the same game plan to execute whatever it is you need to do to accomplish your goals.”
Concerning volleyball training, Goulding believes speed and agility training are essential, as well as off-season work and training.
“With our culture,” says Goulding,” the kids play all the time. It is nice to see them keep their skills fresh.”
Coach Goulding fondly remembers the team’s state runs in 2014 and 2019.
“Our 2014 season was the first year that a Liberty high school volleyball team had made the state final four tournament,” says Goulding. “We had a team that literally played for each other. If you could put together a coach’s dream of kids playing for each other and wanting the best out of each other, it was that group.”
“We didn’t necessarily think the 2019 team would make it to the state. But that group surprised us, winning third place in the state final four. That one was super fun as well,” says Goulding.
“I hope the athletes I’ve coached learn how important it is to be a good person and teammate,” says Goulding. “And whatever they do with their life, they give it their all. Be two feet in. I want the girls to take those characteristics that go beyond volleyball with them. In their future, I want them to be able to apply those things that we worked on, the lessons that we worked through, and apply them in their life, and be great people.”
Coach Goulding demonstrates what she coaches. Her dedication, hard work, and passion for teaching and coaching are admirable. She is two feet in, with her leadership and guidance, and has undoubtedly played a significant role in the success of the Jays Volleyball program.
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