Clifton Volleyball Legacy: Joy Holzmann coaches multiple generations of Lady Cubs to greatness
Four pairs of mothers and daughters all have played for the same head coach at Clifton
CLIFTON, Texas (KWTX) - Clifton head volleyball coach Joy Holzmann has been coaching volleyball since 1992. Her first job was at Clifton. In 1995, she helped lead the Lady Cubs to the state semi-finals. That was Clifton’s best volleyball team in school history, until now.
The Lady Cubs won the state semi-finals on Saturday and will play for a state championship on Friday. Coach Holzmann, or Coach ‘E’ as she was known back in the 90’s has now coached multiple generations of Lady Cubs to greatness.
“I still have a lot of people that still call me Coach ‘E’, and it’s really cool coming back because a lot of people are still here,” said Holzmann.
Holzmann left Clifton in 2003, but returned in 2023. Now, 20 years later, she is coaching daughters of her former players.
Four daughters of former Clifton Lady Cubs are now on the team together. All four pairs of the mothers and daughters were coached by Holzmann. Kendall Houser and her mother Lexie Allison, Madison Otter and her mother Mindy Gaona, Lucy New and her mother Julie, and Scarlett Kennedy and her mother.
“It’s really awesome just growing up hearing stories about her being a Lady Cub,” said Scarlett Kennedy.
“I think it’s just something I always wanted to do and now that I get to do it, I think it’s been really fun and I’ve really enjoyed it.”
Two of the mothers, Allison and Gaona played on the state semi-final team in 1995.
“Back when we played she was hard on us,” said Gaona.
“She’s softened up a little since then. But no, she’s great... The whole community was excited when we found out she was coming back to Clifton.”
Now they all get to watch their daughters from the stands as they continue to make Clifton history.
“I would much rather be on this side as the mom than be on her side,” said Julie New.
“I’d rather be the cheerleader. You always want something better for your kid than you do yourself.”
And when asked who would win a match, the past or the present?
“They got to see some videos of us playing and they were like ‘Oh my gosh’”, said Lexie Allison.
“It’s a little slower than I expected,” said Kendall Houser.
Holzmann reluctantly agreed with that assessment.
“I would say the comradery and the chemistry of both teams, both the same,” said Holzmann.
“But volleyball has changed so so much. It’s so so so different. So, I don’t know, I’m going to have to go with my team right now.”
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