Indiana University Athletics
Kamryn Malloy Finds Joy in Coaching Kids
5/1/2019 12:03:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind.– Kamryn Malloy didn't serve overhand until the seventh grade. She is teaching overhand serves to third graders and one girl hits it under the net and starts crying.
Malloy, coaching a team of six-eight year olds for Girl Inc., a non-profit organization that inspires all girls to be strong, smart and bold, walks over to the girl and gives her a pep talk about having patience.
The girl smiles at continues to work on her serve, eventually getting it over the net.
"When they get their first overhand serve over the net and seeing them do that in third grade when I don't think I did that until seventh grade is crazy," Malloy said. "It was so cute to see how excited they got to get it over. It feels good to know I helped them."
Malloy says she has always enjoyed working with kids and jumped at the chance when the opportunity presented itself to help coach a team.
Malloy, about to complete her sophomore year as a student-athlete on the Indiana volleyball team, remembers her freshman season when the team would go to local elementary schools and read to kids on Fridays they had matches.
Malloy went every time.
Malloy said coaching gives her perspective and, on an occasion, she sought out advice from her college coach, Steve Aird about getting kids to pay attention, she was told 'now you know how I feel.'
Malloy has developed a bond with the girls she coaches.
"I've grown and made connections with the girls," she said. "It is cute to see how excited they get when they see me. Some of them will run up and hug me and say we miss you and we are coming to your game."
Malloy said she is constantly thinking about what she can do to become a better coach and while everyone wants to win, she is more concerned with the growth of the kids and making progress.
Although Malloy doesn't spend a long time with the girls, having a one-hour practice on Mondays and a match on Wednesdays, she is making an impact.
She recalls parents coming up to her and thanking her for making an investment in their daughters.
"Parents come up and say thank you so much for helping our daughter, you have really made it a point to pay attention to each girl individually and help them out instead of just coming to practice and saying here the whole group is going to do this."
These girls look up to Malloy as a role model and Malloy remembers not long ago when she was younger and looked up to girls that were older.
"Sometimes I don't realize the impact I can make," Malloy said. "I remember when I was younger and playing club and being 14 and looking up to the 18-year-old team and I fan girled over them. When I see people come up to me after games and do the same, it's weird to see how the roles have changed. I think it's cool that I'm able to help them and develop a relationship. I make it a point that it doesn't matter how young you are, I try to help anyone."
Malloy, coaching a team of six-eight year olds for Girl Inc., a non-profit organization that inspires all girls to be strong, smart and bold, walks over to the girl and gives her a pep talk about having patience.
The girl smiles at continues to work on her serve, eventually getting it over the net.
"When they get their first overhand serve over the net and seeing them do that in third grade when I don't think I did that until seventh grade is crazy," Malloy said. "It was so cute to see how excited they got to get it over. It feels good to know I helped them."
Malloy says she has always enjoyed working with kids and jumped at the chance when the opportunity presented itself to help coach a team.
Malloy, about to complete her sophomore year as a student-athlete on the Indiana volleyball team, remembers her freshman season when the team would go to local elementary schools and read to kids on Fridays they had matches.
Malloy went every time.
Malloy said coaching gives her perspective and, on an occasion, she sought out advice from her college coach, Steve Aird about getting kids to pay attention, she was told 'now you know how I feel.'
Malloy has developed a bond with the girls she coaches.
"I've grown and made connections with the girls," she said. "It is cute to see how excited they get when they see me. Some of them will run up and hug me and say we miss you and we are coming to your game."
Malloy said she is constantly thinking about what she can do to become a better coach and while everyone wants to win, she is more concerned with the growth of the kids and making progress.
Although Malloy doesn't spend a long time with the girls, having a one-hour practice on Mondays and a match on Wednesdays, she is making an impact.
She recalls parents coming up to her and thanking her for making an investment in their daughters.
"Parents come up and say thank you so much for helping our daughter, you have really made it a point to pay attention to each girl individually and help them out instead of just coming to practice and saying here the whole group is going to do this."
These girls look up to Malloy as a role model and Malloy remembers not long ago when she was younger and looked up to girls that were older.
"Sometimes I don't realize the impact I can make," Malloy said. "I remember when I was younger and playing club and being 14 and looking up to the 18-year-old team and I fan girled over them. When I see people come up to me after games and do the same, it's weird to see how the roles have changed. I think it's cool that I'm able to help them and develop a relationship. I make it a point that it doesn't matter how young you are, I try to help anyone."
Players Mentioned
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