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Cindi Simmons to return as volleyball coach at SM
After an absence of four years, Cindi Simmons will be back on the bench when Smoky Mountain opens its volleyball season in August.
Simmons, who led the Lady Mustangs to three straight state 3-A championships from 1991-93, will be trying to revive a program that has seen five consecutive losing seasons.
SM has had three different coaches in the four years since Simmons stepped down following an 8-14 mark in 2003 ending a run of 18 straight winning seasons.
“I’m very excited,” Simmons said. “I know it’s a challenge. Our conference is one of the toughest in the state top to bottom. There are no bad teams.”
SM has been winless in the Western Athletic Conference the past two years and was 4-17 overall last year in Natasha Wilson’s only season as coach.
Almost 50 prospective Smoky Mountain volleyball players were on hand Tuesday to hear that Cindi Simmons (standing, left) has agreed to return to the program as coach. Also standing are, from left, assistant coaches Nikki Toedtman, Megan Plemmons and Eric Toedtman. – Herald photo by Nick Breedlove
“I feel like the girls are committed to rolling up their sleeves and going to work,” Simmons said. “I’m around the kids all the time at school, and I coach some of them in basketball, I enjoy the sport, and I’m passionate about competition.”
In 21 seasons as volleyball coach at Sylva-Webster and (after consolidation with Cullowhee) Smoky Mountain, Simmons posted a volleyball record of 340-134.
She has coached basketball at S-W and SM for 25 years with a record of 453-218. The Lady Mustangs won the state basketball title in 2007.
“It’s a program I care about, and I care about the players,” Simmons said of her return to volleyball. “We’re all looking forward to getting down to work and doing what we have to do to make the program as good as it can be.”
Nikki Young Toedtman, a 1990 SM graduate who played volleyball for Simmons, will be an assistant varsity and head JV coach. Eric Toedtman will be an assistant working primarily in the area of strength and conditioning.
Megan Plemmons, who was conference player of the year during her high school career at Franklin, will also be an assistant. Plemmons, the daughter of former Cullowhee and SM men’s basketball Coach Doug Plemmons, played collegiately at Milligan and is now a student at Western Carolina.
“We’re going to be one coaching staff for the volleyball program and work together with (the varsity and JV) teams,” Simmons said.
“There is a lot of interest in the program inside and outside the school,” Simmons said. “A lot of people have been close to it through the years and still care about it. We have been blessed to have some very competitive teams through the years.”
The new coach is optimistic about the future of the program after watching matches in local elementary schools last year.
“I saw some good things going on there, and I was impressed with the teaching I saw,” she said. “It’s going to be very important for us to maintain that because it’s a key ingredient for our program.”
Simmons plans a clinic the week of May 26 for girls in elementary school, including rising high school freshmen.
An onsite camp for varsity and JV players is set to begin July 28, a week before practice opens. It will be conducted by Leslie Gehris, volleyball coach at Montreat College and coach of the Biltmore Volleyball Club.
Workouts and open gyms are planned in the spring and summer. During June, basketball workouts will be held followed by volleyball. The order will be reversed in July.
“There’s no magic formula,” Simmons said of getting the program back to a competitive level. “Our foundation will be based on hard work and commitment.”
Superintendent Sue Nations is pleased with Simmons’ return.
“I am delighted that Cindi is willing to do this,” Nations said. “She has the experience, the skill and know-how. She’s been there and done that. I’m tickled to death that she is willing to come back.”
And it’s not just Simmons who Nations feels will improve the program.
“It looks like the staff brings some strengths with how they intend to work together,” she said. “It looks like a wonderful coaching staff.
Several players who are returning from last year’s team are optimistic about the future of Lady Mustang volleyball. “Excitement” is the word they continued to express.
“I’m extremely excited,” Hannah Painter said. “They all have a lot of experience with volleyball. They seem like they know what they’re doing. We’re really excited to have Mrs. Simmons. We’re used to being around her, and she’s real encouraging. We’re going to try to bond together as a team and work on building our volleyball skills.”
“I’m extremely excited,” Annelise Davis said. “I can’t wait until next season. The people I’ve talked to have been about as excited as I have. We all can’t wait.”
“I am so excited about it,” Jodi Henkel said. “Its going to be great for the volleyball program. I’m excited that we’re getting workouts started right now. That will be really good for us.”
“I’m real excited,” Natasha Key said. “It’s going to be a great opportunity for us. A lot of girls I’ve talked to have seemed really excited about it.”
“I’m at a loss for words,” Katie Spiro said. “I’ve looked at the (championship) posters on the wall. She’s won so many state championships. I never dreamed she would come back and be our volleyball coach after the season we had. Whether the record shows it or not, I know the season is going to be a lot better.”
Spiro played basketball for Simmons, but also is familiar with her volleyball knowledge.
“Last year she helped us at school with different skills,” Spiro said. “She knows every skill you need for volleyball. This is the best thing that could have happened for our program. I don’t think we could have gotten a better coaching staff.”
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