Coach Mika Robinson

A young talented coach, a high school game being played around the corner from my house, several friends’ players on the team…a full circle moment that means the world to me.

Ten and half years ago I took a giant leap of faith to move my family and tackle a huge professional challenge (one that I wasn’t even sure I wanted until I met this now young professional and her teammates who were rising juniors). Watching her lead her team with grace and ease and them responding with their strong play, work ethic, and positive culture put a huge smile on my face.

THIS is why I coach…keep being great Alexis and loving those girls in the process! They are so blessed to have you and I am so blessed to have had you call me coach!

We are 10 days into the 29th preseason I’ve had as a coach. Some moments have already been terrific highs, and some moments have left a lot to be desired. I’ve been doing this long enough to know that neither define me nor this group of women who trust me to come to work every day to help them pursue excellence! I’ve also been reminded of a few of my favorite things about being a coach:

It forces me to be better today than I was yesterday.

It forces me to be comfortable being uncomfortable.

It gives me a view of what is right in this world…young people pursuing excellence and believing in each other.

Here’s to day 11 tomorrow! 😉

“Mika, thanks for recruiting my best friends.” “This isn’t normal.” “I miss all of it.”

As I prepare to start year 19 as a college head coach, and year 29 overall, these are the comments that are ringing in my head.

Yesterday, we were asked to identify our “super power” at a department retreat. I landed on “I connect people and build cultures that outlast me.” The self reflection that followed reminded me that no matter how challenging the day to day of a season or year gets, the reason I’ve always felt it was worth it was because of this bigger picture. Convincing a group of unique and diverse individuals to come together for a common good and leave so connected that they remain connected forever creates a dopamine reward unlike any other.

College athletics is an ever changing landscape (a new rule went into effect just yesterday that drastically changes things), but connecting people and building cultures of excellence will always be a worthwhile way to spend my days! Here’s to a new season!

Have you ever thought about your “super power”? How do you use it daily?

This past weekend I was honored to be asked to speak at a symposium aimed at helping girls grow their leadership and communication skills. I was interviewed on stage by a 14 year old and blown away by the professionalism that she and her teammates all displayed in the ex*****on of the symposium.

I was also fortunate to stay to listen to two current club coaches and former college athletes speak on their lessons learned as college athletes. Both women were articulate, confident and inspirational in what they shared.

I walked away remembering just how powerful sports are in developing the leaders that this world needs. While the landscape of college athletics continues to change, there is one constant that never does…the work we do is so much greater than volleyball, and the ripples will be felt for years and generations to come!

Coaches, keep leading and pouring into the next generation of leaders! Parents and administrators, keep investing in this vehicle that makes this growth happen! Our world needs them now more than ever!

One of my favorite traditions…breakfast with our seniors the week of graduation!

There’s just nothing sweeter than spending time with these women right before they launch from Rollins! As they always hear me say, they can’t ever get rid of me, but I certainly won’t get the privilege of seeing them daily anymore!

We are all smiles here, but the feelings are definitely bittersweet! So incredibly proud of the women they have grown into and excited for all that they will accomplish in the future but already feeling the void of their absence!

These are the moments that remind me why I coach! So thankful to be called Coach by these amazing women!

Fiat Lux Tars! Love you!

It’s been a good week…full of family, friends, faith, and purpose! It doesn’t get any better than that!

Wait, there’s a bonus: a day that is beautiful enough for Fox Day, and we still get to compete the next two days! Let’s go!!!

Today was the first day of our spring season, and I couldn’t stop smiling all day! Here’s why…

1) Every single player was excited to be back in the gym together…from cheering each other on in the weight room first thing this morning to laughing and encouraging each other in the tough defensive drills we challenged them with today, their attitudes were contagious.

2) We saw tangible growth on day one but even more importantly carry over from their fall training.

3) They are genuinely great humans who just make me smile being around them!

Looking forward to the growth journey that they are embarking on in 2026! It’s gonna be a good year! 😉

Bigger than a game.

Coaching has been… a job, a calling, a lifestyle, an obsession, a purpose, a burden, a gift, and a blessing.

At different points in my career—and honestly, on any given day—it’s been all of these things. If you’re a coach (or love someone who is), you get it. If not, it’s hard to really understand what this life demands.

Wrapping up year 28 as a coach and year 18 as a college head coach, I’ve been reflecting on what truly matters:

1️⃣ Culture built on love and real relationships isn’t just more fulfilling—it can change lives. That’s the good stuff.

2️⃣ Most people will never fully grasp what happens inside the circle of a team. And that’s okay.

3️⃣ The small moments—the breakthroughs, the laughs, the quiet conversations—ALWAYS outweigh the wins, losses, trophies, or disappointments.

4️⃣ And yes… there are days I question my sanity for doing this for so long. But then comes one lightbulb moment, one genuine “thank you,” one life changed—and suddenly every sacrifice feels worth it.

Here’s to Year 29. Still learning. Still loving it. Still all in.

Here’s to all of the coaches out there trying to make a positive impact on those you lead!

Fall…Volleyball Season…Survival Season for my family for the last 28 years…Joy, triumph, trials, growth, life lessons, 15 hour days…100% worth it for these moments…getting to celebrate amazing life milestones with women who make me incredibly proud every day, snagging breakfast with other former players while in their cities, and such sweet reminders of how grateful I am to do what I do every day!

Thankful our schedule allowed for two quick turnaround trips to celebrate my people this fall and excited to hit the ground running again this week with an incredible group who are in the midst of building these kind of bonds!