In addition to playing pickleball at the U.S. Open, physical education and health teacher Sandi Stein also coached the tennis team to a record-breaking season and the volleyball team to the playoffs two years in a row.
Before becoming a coach, Stein played both collegiate volleyball at a junior college, Illinois Central College placing fifth and sixth at nationals. After playing collegiately, Stein started coaching, and has been doing so for 36 years for numerous teams, including Banneker and North Springs. Stein became the coach at Midtown three years ago, coaching both the tennis and volleyball teams.
“In some ways, I like to have a good time [coaching and playing pickleball,]” Stein said. “I like to appreciate kids when they work hard, I don’t know there is just a driving force there. I have to put my priorities into my job, but I also just try to find ways around getting to play [pickleball] when I’m not working.”
Stein started coaching the Midtown volleyball team in the fall of 2020. Stein has led the team to becoming region champions and making it to the Sweet Sixteen in the playoffs in 2021. Stein led the team to second place in the region and the first round of playoffs in 2022.
“The practices after coach Stein [became the coach] became much more productive,” senior Margaret Kimbrough said. “Coach Stein is much more passionate about the program and our success. She really cares about our team and our performance, so Stein has significantly impacted the volleyball program.”
Stein said she tried to bring a different approach to the Midtown volleyball program, coming from Whitewater High School, where she was named Region 7-A coach of the year, and led the team to being the 2019 runner-up at state.
“I try to build the fundamentals first so were just trying to make them aware of how to get points, whether you can hit hard or not it’s about getting the ball where you want it to go so it’s just kind of educating them and not being fearful of just going for the shots,” Stein said. “I want to show the kids where they need to be or where they may want to be because you have to see the big picture before you can see what direction you want to go in.”
Junior Savannah Markham has played under Stein’s coaching for the last three years, this year, Markam was named an All-State player, and she credits Stein for helping her get there.
“Coach Stein is an amazing coach and has helped me develop as a volleyball player and as a person throughout my years, and she is definitely a tough love type of coach where somethings at first might seem harsh, but in the end are just developing you,” Markham said.
After the volleyball season ended, Stein started to co-coach both the girls and boys tennis teams in the spring, leading the girls to a record breaking season in 2021, making it to the semi-finals in 5A and being the No. 1 seed of Region 6-AAAAA. Stein did not just find success with the girls, the boys team in 2021 made it to the state championship, falling short to Woodward 3-0.
“Coach Stein is an awesome coach,” sophomore Devon DuBose said. “I heard a little bit about her before I came to Midtown. Stein has definitely helped me improve my game, but most importantly has helped the team become a lot more successful. She has really helped build the program at Midtown which I think got a lot of players excited to play for Midtown including me.”
Despite her busy schedule, Stein enjoys playing pickleball year round, winning a variety of tournaments, and becoming a PPR (Professional Pickleball Registry) certified coach.
“I would say that the U.S. Open was pretty intense. It raises the hair up on my arms from just being there and like the people and the final match that we played with my male partner,” Stein said. “We were right next to center court and center court had not begun [their match] so everyone was around our court and it was about almost a two hour match, it was so much fun and it was just all these people watching and later they’re like ‘Hey, great match.”
Stein plays pickleball both individually and in doubles. Anne Clark, Stein’s teammate, met Stein 20 years ago, they recently bonded over playing doubles in pickleball, winning multiple tournaments.
“She’s great, she is always helping the community, especially in pickleball,” Clark said. “She definitely has great hands, even with two knee replacements. She’s quick, she surprises people a bit by being a great player.”
Stein has built successful programs for both the tennis and volleyball teams while continuing to pursue pickleball.
“She reaches out, she really helps, especially with the kids with school and stuff,” Clark said. “She is just wonderful with the kids, and she’s a community organizer for pickleball. She’s just a really great person, she’s always helpful if anyone needs anything, [and] she’s always there for me.”