In the second Texas Tigers Podcast of the 2023-24 athletic year, Adam P. Ledyard talks to East Texas Baptist University head volleyball coach Mallory Matthews. Listen to what she has to say about being a player at ETBU and then coming back to coach at her alma mater.

TEXAS TIGER PODCAST - September 7, 2023

This is the second story in our "Home" series getting to know East Texas Baptist University coaches and student-athletes. 
 

ETBU: A Home Away from Home
For most college athletes, the decision of where to attend school is based on the program's reputation, the coach's style, and the location. But for Mallory Matthews, her journey to East Texas Baptist University started when she stepped foot on campus for her official visit. With that first step, she reluctantly ended up at ETBU and now it has become a special place for her she calls home.
 

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A Surprising Path
Mallory never planned on attending ETBU. Her boyfriend, and now husband, Tanner Matthews, was already a student there, and she didn't want to follow him to college. But she came out of respect for the coaches that were recruiting her and when she visited the campus, everything changed. Mallory fell in love with the camaraderie, the coaching staff, and the values that ETBU stood for. It was a gut feeling she couldn't ignore.
 
"I came here and fell in love with the campus, fell in love with the coaching staff, and just everything that ETBU stood for," Mallory explained. "That's why I decided to come here. Throughout my playing career, I really feel like this program shaped me into who I am today as a coach, as a person. I'm just really thankful to be back and giving back to a program that gave so much to me."
 
Mallory thrived under the guidance of ETBU's head coach, Lyndsay Mashe, who had a profound impact on her both as a player and as a person. Together, they led the team to a conference championship appearance and Mallory even earned All-American honors. Little did she know that her journey with ETBU was far from over.
 

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Pursuing Coaching Dreams
After graduating from ETBU, Mallory followed Coach Mashe to UT Tyler, where she served as a graduate assistant. They continued to build upon their successes, transforming the program into a competitive force. Mallory then took the head coaching position at LeTourneau University, where she faced the challenge of turning around a struggling team. With determination and a passion for player development, she left her mark on the program.
 
But the call to return home was strong. When the coaching position at ETBU opened up, Mallory knew it was an opportunity she couldn't pass up. She was excited to pour her heart and soul into the program that had given her so much. The sense of family and support at ETBU was unmatched, and she wanted to be a part of it once again.
 
"I always wanted this job and knew that if I got this job, I would pour my heart and soul into it," Mallory said with gratitude. "It's just been a great privilege to be back."
 

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A Family Affair
For Mallory and Tanner, ETBU isn't just where they work, it's where they have built a home. The couple now has two young boys who have grown up on the campus, enveloped in the love and support of the ETBU community. The boys enjoy spending time on the field and in the gym, forming relationships with the players and other coaches.
 
"ETBU is a very family-type atmosphere, and we just love everything that ETBU embodies about that," Mallory remarked. "It's really special to be back together here and just being able to bring our boys to be a part of that. We are all a family here, faculty, and staff. Everybody supports everybody and wants the best for everybody."
 

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Building a Championship Program
As Mallory enters her second year as head coach at ETBU, she reflects on the successes of the past season. The team finished third in the American Southwest Conference regular season last year but made an impressive run in the conference tournament, playing for the championship. It was a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players and the culture of support and unity that Mallory had instilled.
 
This year, Mallory has high hopes for her team. With a group of talented returners and a firm belief in the power of faith and family, she aims to take the program to new heights. The team's motto, "eyes fixed," serves as a reminder to prioritize their faith and give all the glory to God.
 
"We've got small goals throughout this season of what we want to reach and where we want to be," Mallory explained. "Their motto this year is 'eyes fixed' to know that Jesus is our first priority, and we want to give all the glory to God. And that's something that this team and their faith have just been incredible to watch."
 

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Fun and Family
While success on the court is important, Mallory also emphasizes the importance of having fun. She believes that if the players aren't enjoying what they're doing, then something needs to change. She plans various team bonding activities, such as trips to the aquarium and Survivor-style challenges, to foster camaraderie and create lasting memories.
 
"Having fun is honestly one of the most important things to us as a staff," Mallory shared. "If you're not having fun, why are you here? We try to inject a little bit of fun into every practice, whether it's starting with line dancing or incorporating different warm-up routines. We want to remind our players that they should be enjoying what they're doing and enjoying each other."
 

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Looking Ahead
As Mallory Matthews continues to build a championship-caliber program at ETBU, she is confident that she has found her true home. The campus, the people, and the sense of family all contribute to the unique atmosphere that sets ETBU apart. Mallory's journey, from a hesitant recruit to a successful coach, is a testament to the transformative power of finding a place where you truly belong.
 
As Mallory said, "ETBU is a place where we just feel like everybody is here for you and cares about you more than just what your job is. It's a place where we feel at home."
 
And for Mallory Matthews, ETBU will always be home.