This week, we are celebrating the power of teamwork, resilience, and the bonds that make volleyball such a special sport. We are also opening the door for community members who want to get involved as volunteer coaches because great programs are built by great people. Plus, we're diving into why athletics matters beyond the scoreboard. Let's spike into it!

Volleyball is a sport of constant communication, split-second decisions, and unshakeable trust. Every point requires six players moving as one; anticipating, adjusting, and supporting each other through every serve, set, and spike. This fall, both our Seahawks and Tides programs have embodied exactly what it means to compete with heart.

Head Coach: Slade Klein

Assistant Coaches: Marisa Nichols, Heather Hartman, Michael Miller, Riley Miller, Amanda Nuttall, Jeremy Simler

The Tides have been building momentum all season, and this week they showed exactly what they are capable of. After a tough loss last Wednesday, Gig Harbor did not let that setback define them. Instead, they came back strong on Tuesday and defeated the Lincoln Abes 3-2—their second win over Lincoln this season.

That victory marked the Tides' fourth straight home win, pushing their record to 8-5. Coach Klein and his staff have built a program that emphasizes resilience, and this team embodies that mindset. When things get tough, they do not fold; they rally together and fight back.

With three regular season matches remaining before postseason play begins, the Tides are hitting their stride at exactly the right time. Their next challenge comes Thursday night when they travel to face Bellarmine Prep at 7:15 PM. It is an opportunity to prove they can compete with anyone, anywhere.

Volleyball is one of those sports where you can't hide. Every touch matters, every play is visible, and you are constantly communicating with your teammates. Calling the ball, adjusting positioning, and encouraging each other through tough moments. One mistake does not end the game, but how you respond to it can change everything. The best teams are not the ones that never mess up; they are the ones that pick each other up, refocus, and come back stronger.

Both our programs are building young women who know how to compete, how to trust their teammates, and how to represent their schools with pride. That is what makes volleyball special, and that is what Peninsula School District volleyball is all about.

We have had several community members reach out recently asking how they can get involved and support our student-athletes. We love that! Volunteer coaches play a vital role in our programs, bringing expertise, mentorship, and passion to our teams. If you have been thinking about volunteering, here is what you need to know about the process.

Every volunteer coach begins by connecting with the athletic director at the school where they'd like to coach:

Your building AD will gather the necessary information and guide you through the approval process with our Educational Support Services (ESS) department and Athletics & Activities Specialist.

Once submitted, you will go through a background check and fingerprinting process. This is a standard requirement for anyone working with students in Peninsula School District. We take the safety of our student-athletes seriously, and this process ensures everyone working with our kids has been properly vetted.

Once your background check clears, you will receive access to FinalForms, our coaching certification platform. Here is what you will need to complete before you can start coaching:

These trainings aren't just boxes to check, they equip you with the knowledge and skills to keep our athletes safe, handle emergencies, and create positive, educational experiences.

Once all trainings are complete and your FinalForms account shows "green (cleared)," you are officially ready to start working with student-athletes. Your building AD will connect you with the head coach, and your season begins!

Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our student-athletes. We care deeply about every young person who puts on a Peninsula or Gig Harbor uniform, and we want them in the best possible hands. The volunteer coach process exists to ensure that every adult working with our kids is prepared, qualified, and committed to doing things the right way.

If you have questions about the process or want to learn more, don't hesitate to reach out to your building athletic director or the general athletics email at athletics@psd401.net. We would love to have you on the team!