With a rich history of success, West Texas A&M women's volleyball has always been about community, family and a life-changing experience. For Kendra Potts, Holly Lamb and Bryli Contreras, this is true in more ways than one.
Holly Lamb playing for West Texas A&M in the late '90s. (Photo courtesy of West Texas A&M)
Lamb and Potts are sisters who both competed for the West Texas A&M women's volleyball team. Lamb was a member of the team from 1995-98, while Potts was a member of the team from 2000-03. The sisters eventually served on the coaching staff together following their careers, with Potts returning in 2018 as head coach. Potts said her older sister had a strong influence on her initial decision to attend and compete for West Texas A&M.
"I just got to see Holly have so much success here," Potts said. "I got to see the positive experience that she had both as a player and a student."
Contreras was also influenced by family ties. The current junior defensive specialist was a member of the 2022 NCAA Division II Women's Volleyball Championship team and was recently voted the 2023 Lone Star Conference Libero of the Year. She developed a love for volleyball and for West Texas A&M through her aunt, Sara Morath, who was the libero on the team from 2005-08.
"I started playing volleyball because my aunt played at West Texas A&M, and I have always looked up to her," she said. "It has been really cool to hear all of her stories and compare experiences."
Potts, Lamb and Contreras all grew up in the area and admired West Texas A&M volleyball from a young age. Over the years, the program has won four Division II national titles and 17 Lone Star Conference titles. It has also produced 29 All-Americans, as well as two national player of the year honorees. Despite playing on the team during three different decades, the success of the program and the unique community present at the school stood out to all three individuals.
"When you grow up in the Texas panhandle, you grow up knowing about West Texas A&M volleyball," Potts said. She and her older sister participated in volleyball camps hosted by the school in the summer, attended numerous games over the years and quickly fell in love with the program. "I got to watch West Texas A&M win a national championship here in Amarillo, Texas, in the early'90s, so those seeds were planted early."
Bryli Contreras serving during a West Texas A&M match. (Photo courtesy of Jose Contreras)
As the older of the two sisters, Lamb led the way, beginning school and volleyball at West Texas A&M in 1995. Her career was highlighted by winning the 1997 Division II Women's Volleyball Championship, a game decided by her two final kills. The community at the school, especially during the championship, was everything she had dreamed it would be when she was young.
Holly Lamb after winning the 1997 NCAA Division II Women's Volleyball Championship. (Photo courtesy of West Texas A&M)
"We had so many fans that traveled with us," she said. "The community that West Texas A&M has and how well it travels to support the programs is just so amazing. Everybody supported everybody. The athletes supported each other, and the community went to all of the games. The atmosphere that created was just so unique."
When it came time for graduation, Lamb was not ready to walk away just yet. She instead opted to join the coaching staff while earning her master's degree, which would eventually allow her to coach her younger sister, Kendra.
"It was just so much fun to get to coach her for two years," Lamb said. "It's something I would do all over again."
Potts began her college career with virtually zero experience playing setter but went on to earn All-America honors three times at the position. Like her older sister, she was able to find that same sense of community at West Texas A&M that she had hoped for and dreamed about.
"Playing here at West Texas is super special just because the program is so much more than just individuals," she said. "You come in here realizing and feeling that you're serving a bigger purpose, more so than just playing volleyball. You're a part of the community and you're helping contribute to this community, so it becomes about way more than just volleyball."
Lamb said Potts' tremendous leadership and work ethic allowed her to have immense success during her career. As Potts is now in her fifth season as the West Texas A&M head coach, Lamb still admires these same qualities in her sister, as well as so many others that she believes have allowed the program to be successful. Specifically, she has watched Potts develop a culture on the team that aligns with the values of the tight-knit campus community and the overall philosophy of Division II.
Head coach Kendra Potts had a very successful career as a student-athlete at West Texas A&M, highlighted by earning three All-America honors. (Graphic courtesy of West Texas A&M)
"It's not just about them being players," Lamb said. "She lets them bring their own strengths and be individuals. She wants them to be wonderful businesswomen, wives, friends, sisters and parents as they leave the program."
"I love that Division II pushes for that life in the balance," Potts added. "(Student-athletes are) able to have a well-rounded experience as a college student. Rather than just going to school and then playing your sport, you're able to be a part of a lot of different things."
Potts encourages her team to participate in internships and job shadowing to help prepare them for their life after sport. While she hopes that her players develop athletically during their time at the school, she also hopes they have experiences off the court that allow them to develop as holistic human beings. Her student-athletes have bought into this culture and admire her philosophy.
"Being at a Division II school has given me the opportunity to achieve my academic goals while also playing the sport I love," Contreras said. "Coach Potts has been an awesome role model for me because she's just such a great person. The coaching staff and (my teammates) are all just one big family. I knew I wanted a family, and I have definitely gotten that at West Texas A&M."
Head coach Kendra Potts huddles up with her team. (Photo courtesy of Jose Contreras)
In the time since they were student-athletes, Lamb and Potts have enjoyed watching the sport of volleyball and Division II evolve and progress. Specifically, Lamb appreciates the introduction of the Division II Championships Festival and the value that it adds to the student-athlete experience.
"Getting to see other teams compete in different sports is just such a great opportunity," she said.
Having had the opportunity to compete at the Division II Championships Festival last year, Contreras couldn't agree more.
"Attending the festival last year was just one of the best experiences of my life," she said. "It was so cool and so much fun. Getting to be in Seattle with that team (last year) was the best part of it."
Bryli Contreras (right) with her teammates after winning the 2022 NCAA Division II Women's Volleyball Championship in Seattle. (Photo courtesy of Jordyn Ballard)
Potts, Lamb and Contreras have all played a large role in contributing to the legacy of the West Texas A&M volleyball program. Last year's national title was the first for West Texas A&M since 1997, the year that Lamb was a member of the championship team. As Contreras and Potts head into postseason competition again this year, they look forward to the future both for the team and for the overall sport of volleyball.
"I really hope the sport continues to grow and just keeps giving opportunities to women to pursue their academic and athletic dreams," Contreras said.
"I hope that these players leave feeling that they served the community and served a program while also knowing that they can accomplish anything they put their mind to," Potts added. "To see a group of players really believe in themselves … it's the magic of coaching. If you keep a group of people believing in themselves and knowing that they are capable, they really can achieve anything."
The defending Division II women's volleyball national champions are ranked No. 1 in their region and are set to host No. 8 The University of Texas at Tyler in the regional quarterfinal Thursday at 5 p.m. Central time.
