CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Three girls on the Veterans Memorial High School girls volleyball team share a unique bond.
All three have dads who are head coaches for different local sports. The men said that it pushes the girls to be the best player and person that they can be.
"We all three understand coaching and how it's supposed to work and we're not just typical parents watching games," said Lee Yeager, Vets head baseball coach. "So, it's pretty cool."
Emma Yeager is a sophomore on the Vets girls volleyball team. Her dad Lee said that being both a father and coach can sometimes be difficult. He explained that he wants his daughter to be a good teammate and person as she goes through her volleyball career.
Parker Malone is Scott Malone's daughter, who is the Islanders head beaseball coach. Vets boys basketball and girls cross country head coach Billy White Jr. is Nya White's dad.
All three girls are sophomores and talked about the shared experience that they have with each other and their dads.
"They always help us at the games," Parker Malone said. "They're always staying up—even if we're losing or if it's a tight game—they're always yelling and keeping us in the game."
"I've known those girls for so long," Nya White said. "It's fun to grow with them knowing how I feel and the different things that we all just share together."
"It really helps me develop as a player to have that drive to win, and they really help me just have fun on the court and be myself," Emma Yeager said.
Parker Malone said that her dad keeps her in a good mindset on game day, which is to play her best. Emma Yeager said that she knew Nya White and Parker Malone since middle school, and they all grew up going to their dads' games.
Billy White Jr. said that his daughter knows what to expect since her coach pushes her to be her best like he does with his players.
"They've heard their dads speak about team and speak about hard work and competing and things of that nature," Billy White Jr. said. "So, now when they're in the opportunity, have the opportunity to do that, it comes second nature to them."
Vets girls volleyball Head Coach Jennifer Garcia added that the girls love playing together and for each other.
"That also comes with the background they got from being part of an athletic family," Garcia said. "Knowing that it's not just about I, it's about the whole team, and the girls are willing to do whatever it takes for the team."
All three girls can push themselves and their teammates, Billy White Jr. said, and have the team at the forefront of their minds.
Lee Yeager added that it is always fun to watch the girls play together and represent Vets like Billy White Jr. and him do as coaches.