Our Director
Coach Sandra Holliman
For over 50 years, Coach Sandra Holliman has been a respected pillar of the volleyball community. Holliman is a 1959 graduate of Fayette County High School. She attended the University of Alabama (UA) where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1963 and received her master’s in education in 1965.
Holliman’s coaching career began at Manatee Community College in Bradenton, FL at a time when women’s intercollegiate sports were yet to be recognized under Title IX. She broke the gender barrier by becoming that institution’s first female instructor. Despite the challenge, she thrived in Florida’s own sports league, leading her teams to 663 wins since 1972. Holliman’s dedication brought her team to finish third place in the national championship in 1988, the same year she was honored as Regional Coach of the Year.
In 1997, she joined an elite group of individuals achieving her 600th career victory and was honored by
Tachikara and the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) as a member of the Tachikara/AVCA Victory Club. Holliman’s dedication extended beyond the court. She was recognized by the Bradenton community and earned the Manatee County Service Award for her contributions to volleyball camps as well as serving as a camp clinician.
Her achievements include inductions into the State College of Florida (SCF) Manatees Athletic Hall of Fame, the Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame and the first person from the state of Alabama to be inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame.
After 30 years at Manatee Community College, Holliman retired only to take on the position of Head Volleyball Coach at Bevill State Community College (BSCC) in Fayette. Under her leadership, BSCC finished as the 1999 AJCCC-Region XXII Division II runner-up. In 2003, a resolution was adopted by the State Board of Education commending Coach Holliman for her achievements and contributions as a collegiate volleyball coach and role model to young women. She remained Head Volleyball Coach at BSCC until the program ended in 2009.
Holliman was also a professor of health and physical education for approximately 30 plus years. For many years she worked on committees that establish sports for girls and women as well as volunteering to the volleyball program at Fayette County High School.
Holliman’s career milestones further include the 2003 AVCA victory award for 700 career victories and another Regional Coach of the Year title that same year. She was also celebrated for her 800th career victory in 2008 by the AVCA Victory Club.
In 2011, Holliman established the West Alabama Juniors Volleyball Club (a non-profit) and has been the director for 13 years. Last season, the club consisted of 10 teams from ages 8 through 18 with over 100 athletes. As director, she has led winning teams in area tournaments and championships across Alabama and neighboring states. Her coaching staff consists of former WAJ or collegiate players.
Holliman continues to coach athletes from Fayette, Pickens, Lamar, Marion, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and counties, with the same passion and enthusiasm she has carried throughout her coaching career.
For over 50 years, Coach Sandra Holliman has been a respected pillar of the volleyball community. Holliman is a 1959 graduate of Fayette County High School. She attended the University of Alabama (UA) where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1963 and received her master’s in education in 1965.
Holliman’s coaching career began at Manatee Community College in Bradenton, FL at a time when women’s intercollegiate sports were yet to be recognized under Title IX. She broke the gender barrier by becoming that institution’s first female instructor. Despite the challenge, she thrived in Florida’s own sports league, leading her teams to 663 wins since 1972. Holliman’s dedication brought her team to finish third place in the national championship in 1988, the same year she was honored as Regional Coach of the Year.
In 1997, she joined an elite group of individuals achieving her 600th career victory and was honored by
Tachikara and the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) as a member of the Tachikara/AVCA Victory Club. Holliman’s dedication extended beyond the court. She was recognized by the Bradenton community and earned the Manatee County Service Award for her contributions to volleyball camps as well as serving as a camp clinician.
Her achievements include inductions into the State College of Florida (SCF) Manatees Athletic Hall of Fame, the Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame and the first person from the state of Alabama to be inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame.
After 30 years at Manatee Community College, Holliman retired only to take on the position of Head Volleyball Coach at Bevill State Community College (BSCC) in Fayette. Under her leadership, BSCC finished as the 1999 AJCCC-Region XXII Division II runner-up. In 2003, a resolution was adopted by the State Board of Education commending Coach Holliman for her achievements and contributions as a collegiate volleyball coach and role model to young women. She remained Head Volleyball Coach at BSCC until the program ended in 2009.
Holliman was also a professor of health and physical education for approximately 30 plus years. For many years she worked on committees that establish sports for girls and women as well as volunteering to the volleyball program at Fayette County High School.
Holliman’s career milestones further include the 2003 AVCA victory award for 700 career victories and another Regional Coach of the Year title that same year. She was also celebrated for her 800th career victory in 2008 by the AVCA Victory Club.
In 2011, Holliman established the West Alabama Juniors Volleyball Club (a non-profit) and has been the director for 13 years. Last season, the club consisted of 10 teams from ages 8 through 18 with over 100 athletes. As director, she has led winning teams in area tournaments and championships across Alabama and neighboring states. Her coaching staff consists of former WAJ or collegiate players.
Holliman continues to coach athletes from Fayette, Pickens, Lamar, Marion, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and counties, with the same passion and enthusiasm she has carried throughout her coaching career.
