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For St. Thomas Aquinas High School Head Volleyball Coach Kristie Holtz, coaching has always been about more than the game. It’s about the athletes, the relationships built along the way, and the life lessons that stay with players long after their final match.
A 1990 graduate of STA, Holtz began coaching at her alma mater in 1997. What started as a natural next step has grown into a decades-long commitment to the school and the young women who have come through its volleyball program.
“I’ve continued to coach not just because I love volleyball, but mostly because I love the kids,” Holtz said.
Over the years, Holtz has witnessed significant changes in the sport, from the introduction of the libero to the transition from side-out scoring to rally scoring. These changes have transformed the pace and strategy of the game, while also influencing how she approaches coaching.
Today, Holtz focuses not only on teaching athletes how to play, but also on helping them understand why they do what they do. That emphasis on learning, growth, and understanding reflects the broader impact she hopes to have on every player who steps onto the court.
Her contributions have extended beyond the STA volleyball program. In 2024, the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association (NHIAA) recognized Holtz with the Carol Dozibrin Advancement of Girls Sports Award, honoring her commitment to advancing girls’ athletics.
“I was very taken aback by the honor,” Holtz said. “Carol Dozibrin did a great deal for girls’ athletics in New Hampshire, so having my name connected to hers means a lot.”
While the award was a meaningful milestone, Holtz’s favorite memories are often found in the lasting connections she has built with her players. One of the most rewarding sights, she said, is seeing former athletes return to watch matches or visit practices. Watching alumni connect with current players reminds her that the program continues to mean something to them long after graduation.
When reflecting on the teams and seasons that stand out most, Holtz finds it difficult to choose just one. Instead, she values the seasons when her teams exceeded expectations and finished stronger than they began. For her, those moments demonstrate the progress, perseverance, and teamwork that make a season successful.
Those same qualities are central to the lessons she hopes her athletes carry into their lives beyond volleyball.
"I want them to learn how to advocate for themselves, be resilient, and understand the power of being part of something. Volleyball is a game of errors—you cannot play it perfectly, and you will get blocked or shank a pass. How you respond to that next whistle is everything. I hope they take that lesson into life. When they face a setback in their careers, relationships, or personal lives, I want them to know how to reset," she said.
Holtz often reminds her players that volleyball is a game of errors. No athlete can play perfectly every time, and mistakes are inevitable. What matters most is how a player responds at the next whistle.
She hopes her athletes apply that mindset to challenges they encounter in their careers, relationships, and personal lives, learning to reset, move forward, and face adversity with confidence.
The lessons, however, have never been one-sided. Holtz credits her players with continually challenging her to evolve, particularly in how she communicates. They have also reinforced an important reminder: even during the most stressful seasons, it is essential to protect the fun and joy of the game.
Across her career at STA, Holtz estimates that she has coached more than 450 varsity matches and earned a little over 300 victories. Yet, when reflecting on those numbers, she focuses less on the wins and losses and more on the opportunity to have coached so many matches and so many players.
After decades on the sidelines at her alma mater, Holtz’s legacy is measured in far more than victories. It lives on in the confidence she has helped build, the resilience she has encouraged, the relationships that endure, and the generations of athletes who continue to feel connected to the STA volleyball family.
Thirty years of coaching is an impressive milestone. For Holtz, the greatest achievement may be the lasting difference she has made in the lives of the young women she has coached along the way.
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