At Alief Taylor, there's no such thing as an offseason. Under the leadership of Varsity Coach Toni Smith, the program adopts a unique mindset: when others rest, the Lady Lions grind. It's part of a larger culture that embraces consistency, growth, and accountability—even in the face of challenges.
"ON" Season Mentality
Coach Smith has redefined the term offseason—for her, and for her team, it doesn’t exist.
“We don’t consider it ‘off’ season—we call it ‘ON’ season because we like to work when everyone else is off.”
That mentality is what fuels the program's development year-round and keeps players in rhythm mentally and physically, no matter the calendar.
Program Stability in Motion
Working in an inner-city environment brings its hurdles, particularly with coaching turnover.
“I’ve been here 7 years and have had 7 different sub-varsity coaches,” said Smith.
Still, she’s remained a constant, bringing leadership and structure to a program that continues to push forward despite instability around it.
Athletes to Watch
Coach Smith highlighted a trio of emerging standouts, all poised to make major contributions this season:
Myka Edison (Class of 2027)
DeJah Williams (Class of 2027)
Shekemi Taiwo (Class of 2028)
These young athletes are putting in the extra work, and it’s showing both on the court and in their team involvement.
Fitness & Mental Focus
Strength training is a key part of the team's in-season approach. The Lady Lions lift twice a week, balancing physical strength with emotional and mental wellness through something Coach Smith calls “Circle Time”—a weekly check-in where players connect, reflect, and support each other.
Nutrition & Growth Areas
While there's currently no formal nutrition program, it’s something Coach Smith is excited to add in the future as the program grows.
“This is something I look forward to implementing,” she shared.
Coaching Philosophy: Simple, Intentional, Purposeful
Every rep counts, every possession matters. Coach Smith’s focus heading into the season is to keep it simple and stay locked in:
“One pass at a time.”
Biggest Challenge: Time
In a school where many student-athletes juggle multiple sports and extracurriculars, building full-team cohesion during the "ON" season can be difficult.
“A lot of our athletes play different sports and activities, which doesn’t allow us to have a full team workout.”
Still, the Lady Lions continue to make the most of every minute they get together.
Coach Toni Smith is building more than a team—she’s building a resilient culture. One that stays ON when others are OFF, and one that continues to elevate Alief Taylor Volleyball with every serve, pass, and circle time moment.
Share With