Reeths-Puffer's new volleyball coach Syann Fairfield is fresh out of college, but her wealth of experience playing, as well as coaching at the club level for Inside Out Volleyball, has her armed and ready to lead the Rockets into 2026.
Fairfield was a star player at North Muskegon and played at Ferris State University before graduating last spring. She's also the daughter of state champion Muskegon football coach Shane Fairfield. When contacts of hers encouraged her to apply for the Rockets' job, she did - and the athletic department's culture quickly stood out to her.
"I'm a super big culture person, so that drew me in right away," Fairfield said. "(Rockets' athletic director Cliff Sandee) was very relatable. I thought the people on the hiring committee were great, very engaged and very kind."
Fairfield was also excited about the possibility of helping to grow the Rockets' program. She credited predecessor Justin Birr for his work building a foundation over his years leading the team and believes the opportunity is there to become more consistently competitive with some of the powerhouse programs in the O-K Green Conference, such as Mona Shores, Jenison and Byron Center.
"Birr left me with a really great program and a lot of kids who are invested," Fairfield said. "I was excited to be in a conference where I know it will be great volleyball every match. You can be the best school in a lower conference, and I don't see much beauty in that. Even if you take some losses and have some mini wins throughout, I think that's more valuable to the girls."
R-P enters the year with two sophomores who were major contributors as freshmen and should be even more important this year: setter Kate Tindall and Lexie Danz, who played outside hitter last year. Fairfield said Tindall is an impressive leader, and Danz and her twin sister Mackenzie are players she's familiar with from her time at the club level.
"I knew they were great players who work hard," Fairfield said. "I think they've grown from what I've seen in club as leaders."
Up-and-comers to watch include Addie Whitaker, Makayla Jewett and Peyton Radel. Fairfield credits Whitaker with "a dog mentality" and strong leadership skills despite her relative lack of varsity experience. Jewett is slated to play middle hitter, and Radel will be an offensive asset after missing some of last season with an ankle injury.
Fairfield said the team has come together quickly through its work in the off-season, for which the players deserve credit.
"I have to give props to the girls for showing up during summer training," Fairfield said. "I was able to get my expectations across...It's almost like a player-led team now where they're holding each other accountable. Since we have our roster set now, the staff and I are diving into the X's and O's, the plays and getting things figured out."
There will be matches where opponents have the physical advantage, but Fairfield said if the Rockets can serve well and receive serves well, they can even the odds. Confidence will also be key.
"If we can serve really well and get teams where we want them, it will help slow those big offensive teams down," Fairfield said. "Energy has been super big for us, so if we don't fall into a fear of failure when those big games get rough and can keep our energy high, we can be right where we need to be."
