USA

Concordia Lutheran turns volleyball program over to Smeltzer

Concordia Lutheran made a change inside the volleyball program turning the reigns over to Brandon Smeltzer.

Smeltzer has been the 17U coach at Texas Advantage Volleyball and last coached at the high school ranks at West Torrance High School in California.

He's well-versed in the Houston high school game having coached at the club level for over 20 years.

"The team has had great success and most of the kids play club, so they take volleyball seriously," he said. "The administration is awesome."

Smeltzer played on the beach tour and broke into the pro ranks with partner Sean Rosenthal, who has been the No. 1 player in the sport over the last decade.

"I'm a typical beach guy from California and am very even-keeled on the court," he said. "You see coaches yell and scream on the sideline. I'm not that guy. I really believe your team is a reflection of its coach in pressure situations."

Smeltzer knows what he has returning in Sophie Keene and Sydney Whitfield, both elite players. Keene is committed to Baylor and Whitfield to Liberty University – both DI schools.

"Sophia is just in control," he said. "I've never seen her flip out on the court, and I like that. Whitfield is a stud and has a whip of an arm. I don't know what the deal has been, but she can really play. She's so athletic."

Smeltzer is excited about the challenge and has high expectations for the 'Saders moving forward.

"We are pretty solid all the way around," he said. "I'm just excited to coach them and I hope they buy into the new system. We are gonna make a run at it and I know it goes through St. Agnes.