Being a captain is more than just going up for a coin toss—as my late high school coach, Dave Boze, often reminded me. As a freshman in high school, I dreamed of someday stepping up to the coin toss, believing it was the pinnacle of leadership. Throughout high school, I held smaller leadership roles on my volleyball team, gradually learning the fundamentals of being a leader. Yet, I still believed the most important role of a captain revolved around that ceremonial moment.
Leadership has always felt natural to me (perhaps it’s the Capricorn in me). When I transferred to Southeast Missouri State as a sophomore, I found myself in unfamiliar territory. I wanted to be a leader but felt too new and unproven to assert my voice. I decided to earn respect through my actions—staying quiet, putting my head down, and working hard. That season, we finished in 8th place, and I knew things had to change.
When my junior year began, one of the first preseason practices included voting for team captains. Votes were based on a series of questions, with the final decision heavily influenced by the team’s input. To my surprise, I was selected as a captain. I took on the role with honor, even as I continued to find my voice as a leader. One thing I knew for certain: I could lead by example. If I expected my teammates to go above and beyond, I needed to do the same. I made it a priority to be one of the first to arrive at practice and one of the last to leave. No task was beneath me—I would still help take down the nets and poles regardless of my position or age.
Each year, I grew in my leadership role, learning how to communicate effectively and take responsibility. I made mistakes, but I always held myself accountable and sought to improve. After three years as a team captain, the lessons I learned are ones I’ll carry for life.
One of the greatest challenges was balancing friendship and authority. As a captain, you hold a dual role that requires you to prioritize the team’s needs while knowing what should be left to the coach. Taking criticism from both teammates and coaches comes with the territory, and it’s crucial to remain calm in high-pressure situations when others look to you for guidance. Another challenge was managing the high expectations placed on captains. Leading a team while grappling with personal struggles—whether performance-based or emotional—can be difficult. On those days, I learned to lean on co-captains or teammates for support.
Understanding team dynamics and communication styles is an essential skill for any leader, as is knowing when to step back and let others take the lead. Building personal connections with teammates is just as important, as it fosters trust and cohesion. Being a captain also taught me the importance of putting the team’s needs first—ensuring everything is in order before leaving and taking responsibility for keeping everyone unified.
Being a captain transformed my perspective on leadership and life. If I could go back and tell my 14-year-old self one thing, it would be this: the coin toss is one of the smallest tasks of a captain, but it’s still pretty cool.
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