Xavier University Athletics
Getting to Know Assistant Volleyball Coach Kelly Audia
06.18.15 | Volleyball
Audia joined the coaching staff on June 8
June 18, 2015
Xavier head volleyball coach Christy Pfeffenberger recently hired Kelly Audia as one of her full-time assistant coaches. Audia shares his thoughts on what attracted him to Xavier and tells us who is a better volleyball player, him or his wife (the former Tami Ores, a former Xavier volleyball standout).Â
1. What attracted you to the assistant coaching job at Xavier?Â
"Honestly, the stability of the program overall as well as the quality of coach I believe Christy is. I like her no nonsense approach to most coaching responsibilities and the fact that she speaks so highly of all of her players. She knows we have to get better, but she is also excited about where we are. I am excited to see where she takes this program in the years to come."Â
2. How do you know head coach Christy Pfeffenberger?Â
"I suppose we first met when my wife introduced us a few years back. In fact, we even attended her wedding. Anyway, we hit it off right away and from there we would run into one another constantly on the recruiting trail during those marathon days."Â
3. Your wife, the former Tami Ores, was a former volleyball standout at Xavier. Who is a better volleyball player, you or her?Â
"Well, let's just put it this way - she is five months pregnant with our second child at this point in time, so I think I could take her."Â
4. You've been at Xavier for roughly two weeks. What are your initial thoughts?Â
"I am impressed by the genuinely helpful people and the professionalism of everyone from Carol Maas to Greg Christopher. This has been a super easy transition because people like Carol and Greg WANT you to succeed. Beyond that, the campus is beautiful and gets more so every day that construction takes a step. Additionally, the size of the school provides us with a recruiting edge. I really think it puts us in the sweet spot to keep landing some big-time players."Â
5. You have been coaching volleyball for roughly 18 years, and a variety of levels, what's been one of your favorite memories/most rewarding experiences?Â
"You know, it's funny. A while back it would have been either the State Championship runs with dominant teams at Sequoyah HS (Ga.) or the Club Qualifiers we won. But now I have to say, the further I get into my coaching career, the more it has become clear that the reason I have always loved coaching so much is the relationships with the players and people I have gotten to work with. To get a random call or message from a former player, assistant or even a parent is what provides me with the most rewarding experiences I have had."Â
6. Your co-worker Dave Franklin is known for his enthusiasm on the bench during matches. Would you say your coaching style matches his or are you a more laid back coach?Â
"I would say that in my younger days (I'm still young), he and I would have been more alike. I can still get pretty excited at a moment's notice, but it is such a long season that I try and pace myself to only get super hyper when the situation calls for it.Â
"I know this, we will do what is hard and we will achieve what is great, and NOTHING great happens without enthusiasm!"
Xavier head volleyball coach Christy Pfeffenberger recently hired Kelly Audia as one of her full-time assistant coaches. Audia shares his thoughts on what attracted him to Xavier and tells us who is a better volleyball player, him or his wife (the former Tami Ores, a former Xavier volleyball standout).Â
1. What attracted you to the assistant coaching job at Xavier?Â
"Honestly, the stability of the program overall as well as the quality of coach I believe Christy is. I like her no nonsense approach to most coaching responsibilities and the fact that she speaks so highly of all of her players. She knows we have to get better, but she is also excited about where we are. I am excited to see where she takes this program in the years to come."Â
2. How do you know head coach Christy Pfeffenberger?Â
"I suppose we first met when my wife introduced us a few years back. In fact, we even attended her wedding. Anyway, we hit it off right away and from there we would run into one another constantly on the recruiting trail during those marathon days."Â
3. Your wife, the former Tami Ores, was a former volleyball standout at Xavier. Who is a better volleyball player, you or her?Â
"Well, let's just put it this way - she is five months pregnant with our second child at this point in time, so I think I could take her."Â
4. You've been at Xavier for roughly two weeks. What are your initial thoughts?Â
"I am impressed by the genuinely helpful people and the professionalism of everyone from Carol Maas to Greg Christopher. This has been a super easy transition because people like Carol and Greg WANT you to succeed. Beyond that, the campus is beautiful and gets more so every day that construction takes a step. Additionally, the size of the school provides us with a recruiting edge. I really think it puts us in the sweet spot to keep landing some big-time players."Â
5. You have been coaching volleyball for roughly 18 years, and a variety of levels, what's been one of your favorite memories/most rewarding experiences?Â
"You know, it's funny. A while back it would have been either the State Championship runs with dominant teams at Sequoyah HS (Ga.) or the Club Qualifiers we won. But now I have to say, the further I get into my coaching career, the more it has become clear that the reason I have always loved coaching so much is the relationships with the players and people I have gotten to work with. To get a random call or message from a former player, assistant or even a parent is what provides me with the most rewarding experiences I have had."Â
6. Your co-worker Dave Franklin is known for his enthusiasm on the bench during matches. Would you say your coaching style matches his or are you a more laid back coach?Â
"I would say that in my younger days (I'm still young), he and I would have been more alike. I can still get pretty excited at a moment's notice, but it is such a long season that I try and pace myself to only get super hyper when the situation calls for it.Â
"I know this, we will do what is hard and we will achieve what is great, and NOTHING great happens without enthusiasm!"
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