TYLER, TEXAS – Lyndsay and Kris Mashe took over the coaching duties of UT Tyler volleyball 10 years ago this season, and they have pushed the program to incredible heights over their decade of work.
 
BACK TO THE BEGINNING
 
The pair met playing outdoor volleyball in the Longview, Texas area in 1999 and began playing sand and grass volleyball together before dating. That relationship blossomed into coaching club volleyball together before the two were married in 2005.
 
Lyndsay would go on to coach at Atlanta High School in Atlanta, Texas for one season in 2005 before accepting the head coaching job in February 2006 at her alma mater, East Texas Baptist, where she was an All-ASC Academic Team selection and is fifth in program history in assists.
 
The East Texas Baptist Athletic Director was actually the first person to suggest the Mashe's pairing together to create a coaching duo. As Lyndsay was building her staff, he mentioned that they coached club volleyball together and were successful, so "Why not Kris?" Since that moment, the pair have coached every game together since.
 
COACHING AND MARRIAGE
 
"We are a little more opposite in terms of personality, but we are so passionate about winning and about volleyball that it makes it fun to be together and take on these challenges together," Lyndsay Mashe said. "There are times at home where we need to be conscious about not talking about volleyball or taking a step back from it. Recruiting never stops in today's era, but there are times where we make sure we are staying away from the game and enjoying family time."
 
As far as coaching philosophies go, Kris is more numbers based, but Lyndsay is more feel based. Kris adds his opinions when necessary but ultimately will tell Lyndsay to go with her gut and have confidence. "I look at him to give me the 'real' piece of things," Lyndsay Mashe said.
 
LEAVING A LEGACY
 
The pair led the Tigers to two ASC East Co-Division Championships and an ASC Tournament Runner-Up. At UT Tyler, they earned an LSC Divisional Championship in the Spring 2021 season and an LSC Tournament Runner-Up finish before rattling off four straight trips to the NCAA Tournament from 2021-2024, one for each of the four seasons they have been Division II.
 
That legacy has evolved into Lyndsay Mashe standing as the winningest head coach in ETBU and UT Tyler history, a testament to the pairs hard work over the last 20 years. At ETBU, she holds a record of 194-122, and with the Patriots she is 176-81, combining to be 370-203.
 
"Our favorite part is seeing a team come together for a season," Lyndsay Mashe said. "The wins, great people, hard work, when all things come together and create a great environment for not just us but for everyone involved in the program."
 
It's a unique environment for players, because it's not every day that your two coaches are married to each other. However, the Mashe's see that as an advantage. "In other situations, a coaching staff may not be on the exact same page in how the program is run or being operated or coached or cared about. This is our career, and we are on the exact same page at all times."
 
In the long run, it isn't all just about wins, it's about preparing players for the future, on and off the court. "Hopefully they see the sportsmanship and competing the right way. We try to demand the best of them every day and throughout their career. We hope to see them grow and see that giving 100% as a team and individually will pay off in the long run. We try to treat them the right way regardless of our record, and we hope they learn from that. We have been successful in winning, but our athletes are graduating in four years, and they're growing as people. They are moving on to successful careers post college. We hope we can give them just a small piece that they can carry throughout their lives."
 
With the Mashe's leading the way, the UT Tyler volleyball program will continue to be in good hands.