Coach Alana Celebrates Monumental Milestone with 700th Volleyball Win

Redwood’s Varsity Volleyball, Coach Alana Montgomery, celebrated her 700th win on Wednesday night’s game against Monache.

By Karli Branson and Brooke Hacker

Alana Montgomery started her coaching career when she began coaching diving in the fall of 1976. She soon shifted to coaching JV (Junior Varsity) Volleyball that same fall and in 1989 bumped up to Varsity Volleyball.

Montgomery shares that she has been coaching most of her life but does not regret any of it.

She has carried Redwood High School’s Varsity Volleyball team to 700 wins in her Varsity Coaching career. Montgomery appreciates her multitude of wins but shares that she never really kept count. “Honestly, I hadn’t even thought about it at all, until Wednesday night. I didn’t even know I had that many!”

She adds, “But to me it’s about the players and how the program is doing. Are they successful? Yes, I am coaching, but it’s about them and all the help of assistant coaches.”

In order to lead her teams throughout the years to these victories, Montgomery, along with her other coaches and players, has had to put in countless hours of work. She says, “We train hard every season, regardless of wins and losses.”

They felt extra pressure this past year as Montgomery says “Having this many seniors while wanting to be the best we can, I think maybe the intensity was more. We wanted to be undefeated but we also want a chance at the Valley Playoffs.”

She feels extra special going into this season with some of her 4 year members. She says, “Anytime you have athletes for 4 years in a row, it is special. There are 8 of them. A great nucleus of hard working, committed, athletic, funny and smart players.”

Assistant Coach, Christie Oates, has been coaching alongside Coach Alana for 14 years.

She says, “Alana is a spectacular person, as well as a spectacular coach, so it is well… well deserved. Sorry I am choking up about it.”

Oates highlights the special role that coaches play regarding their players. She says, “Hopefully we are an example, by working hopefully these girls know that we are standing behind them, supporting them, and always wanting good things to happen for them.”

Oates is excited to be a part of Alana’s coaching staff and says, “It is amazing, our staff is like family, so you know a win is for everybody. The girls and staff all appreciate each other and all work together to make good things happen for Redwood Volleyball.”

Assistant Coach, Stacy Hyde, has been helping Alana for 5 years. She says, “I started as a volunteer assistant when Elise (Daughter) was a freshman and now I’m an assistant.”

As Alana has been coaching for awhile, Hyde says, “It’s incredible to see how dedicated Alana has been to the sport of volleyball and each team she has coached over the years. A lot of hard work, hours, and passion goes into such a successful career.”

Specifically for the Lady Rangers, Hyde coaches technique. She says, “I love to encourage the girls. I hope to help raise the level of intensity as well. I love being a part of Alana’s coaching staff.”

Hyde continues by saying, “Everyone really contributes and works together to try and get the best out of each player on the team. It’s an honor to be part of her epic career and her 700th win.”

JV Volleyball Coach, Jennifer Smith, has been working alongside Alana for 12 years. Smith says seeing Alana successful, “is definitely inspiring. I always feel grateful to be on her staff. She’s got an amazing work ethic, and you know it is inspiring to be a part of her staff.”

Smith continues by saying, “I kept stats for years, and it is great to see her get the recognition that she deserves. Also the tireless hours, you guys don’t see behind the scenes too, so it’s really great to see her win something like this.”

Frosh Volleyball Coach, Anna Aguilar, was a former player of Alana’s.

Aguilar says Alana had a big impact on her position to coach for Redwood. She says, “I would see her around town and I would ask her, ‘If you ever have a spot, I would love to coach for you and learn from you.’”

Regarding Alana’s 700th win, Aguilar says, “I’m really proud of her and all of the hard work she’s done.”

Kennedy Cutler, ‘24, is a 3-year player on Coach Alana’s Varsity team. She says that she feels honored to be a part of this 700th win and adds, “I’m so happy that she got to celebrate with this team because we all love each other and her. This is a very special year for me since it is my senior year and I’m glad I got to also celebrate this big accomplishment with my coach.”

Cutler sees her coach as inspirational and says, “Alana is very determined and it’s not very often you see a coach reach this many wins in their career so it makes me feel proud to be one of her players.”

She can vouch for the grueling hours and dedication that comes with being a part of this team. Cutler says, “Our team has been working so hard this season. For some of us we started training in spring and all of our summer. We have dedicated so much of our time and energy into this sport and it feels good knowing it has paid off.”

“We all support one another which is probably one of our biggest strong suits. Before the game we reminded ourselves to stay confident and not get ahead of ourselves. We also point out things on the opposing team to help analyze what to look out for. This really helps us prepare and know what may occur.”

Melissa Cutler, Kennedy Cutler’s mom, is full of joy at the opportunity to be able to watch her daughter play for Redwood Volleyball. She says, “Watching Kennedy over the past three years has been so enjoyable. Kennedy has made us so proud on and off the court. Her dedication to the sport and the team has been inspiring.”

“It’s a really fun thing to experience. Knowing Kennedy has had part of the process is exciting and rewarding. The team works so hard, the wins are evidence of that.”

Cutler appreciates Coach Alana’s impact on her daughter and the team and says, “Alana is driven with big expectations. She requires a lot of the girls but their reward is outstanding seasons with undefeated league titles.”

Devyn Castaneda, ‘24, is another 3 year player and important piece of the Redwood Volleyball team. She says, “It feels amazing. It is sad, because I did not get to experience all 4 years with her because of Covid freshman year.”

Castaneda says that to motivate herself and the team she, “just practices, shows up 15 minutes early, gets ready and is prepared.”

Daniel Castaneda, Devyn Castenda’s father, is very proud of the hard work that his daughter has displayed. He says, “I think that my daughter has been showing really great leadership. She highly respects Alana and her coaching ability and she helps spread some of that energy that she gives to the other teammates for them to be successful.”

Castenada continues ”I’m glad she’s a part of it. She was excited when she first came to Redwood to be a part of Alana’s coaching, under her. I think she is really proud to be a part of her success.”

“She is disciplined. She makes her players work hard and she is consistent and she has the ability to make them successful.”

Alana Montgomery is thankful for her career and experiences that she has shared with her staff and players. She ends with, “They have impacted my life by teaching me to listen more and have the patience to understand their feelings.”

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