Sydney (Anderson) Watson Named Girls’ Volleyball Head Coach
Former University of Nebraska All-American Sydney (Anderson) Watson has been named the girls’ volleyball head coach at Central Catholic High School, Director of Athletics Greg Dempsey announced on Thursday.
“When we started our search, we identified many qualities needed in our next head volleyball coach,” Dempsey said. “We wanted someone that competed and coached volleyball at a high level, has a great passion for the sport, a tremendous passion for teaching the game, and an immense drive for developing young ladies on and off the court. I believe Sydney possesses all these traits. We are excited to see her develop our student-athletes and the program, and we’re thrilled to make her part of the Fighting Irish Family.”
A two-time All-American setter for the Huskers, Watson earned second-team honors in 2008 and third-team accolades in 2009. She led Nebraska to a 26-7 record and a berth in the regional finals in 2009, while averaging 11.53 assists, 0.77 kills and 2.45 digs per set. She ranked 13th nationally in assists while running an offense that ranked in the top 10 nationally in both kills and assists per game. She owned a team-high 14 double-doubles and helped the Huskers hit .300 or better in 13 matches.
“The love I have for volleyball goes a lot deeper than just the game,” said Watson, who ranks sixth in Nebraska history in career assists (3,332). “It has made me who I am on and off the court. I want to thank those individuals that have helped me get to where I am today. I also want to thank Central Catholic for giving me the opportunity to pass on that love. Sometimes all it takes is one person to believe in you to do something amazing. I believe in Central Catholic and these student-athletes just as they have believed in me to take this job.”
As a sophomore in 2008, Watson collected her first All-America award, averaging 11.60 assists, 2.05 digs, 0.82 kills and 0.29 service aces per set to lead Nebraska into the NCAA Semifinals. A two-time team captain, she was eighth nationally in assists and totaled eight double-doubles. The 2008 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, Watson also was a first-team All-Big 12 performer and a five-time Big 12 Rookie of the Week.
Watson transferred to Nebraska following an outstanding freshmen campaign at the University of Utah in 2006. She helped the Utes secure a Mountain West Conference regular-season title and was selected as the AVCA West Region Freshman of the Year.
In addition to her time at Nebraska and Utah, Watson trained with the U.S. Women's Collegiate National Team in Colorado Springs beginning in July of 2007 until the spring of 2008. She played at the USA Open in both 2007 and 2008, helping the USA-Blue team to a third-place finish in 2008.
A native of Salt Lake City, Utah, Watson was named the Utah Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior and was the No. 10 player in the country by PrepVolleyball.com in 2006.
Watson, who graduated from Nebraska with a degree in sociology in 2010, entered coaching after playing professionally in Stuggart, Germany in 2010-11 and Mayagüez, Puerto Rico in 2011-12. She served as the beach coach at Florida Atlantic University in 2012-13 and as a volunteer coach at Youngstown State University in 2013-14. Watson also assisted with the Toledo Volleyball Club (TVC) in 2015-16, focusing on setting mechanics and footwork. Most recently, she has worked for CCHS alumna Nicole Morrison (Class of 1995) for the last four-plus years, giving private lessons at Morrison’s barn in nearby Oregon.
Watson and her husband Ross have four children, Tripp (8), Wyatt (6) and twins Colbi and Lexi (4). Ross is currently the co-defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator for The University of Toledo football team.
