Vericol’s Own Sydney Koch Sets Up Teammates on the Court and Sets Up Proposals for Success

Sydney Koch leverages her college volleyball career and youth coaching experience to bring diversified leadership and insights to Vericol’s clients. Sydney thrives in collaborative environments and has proven success with leading teams to victory, both on and off the court.

Sydney has been with Vericol for three years now and previously earned her B.A. in English from Randolph-Macon College.

Read below for Sydney’s full Q&A:

What first sparked your love for volleyball, and how long have you been playing?

I started playing volleyball back in sixth grade, and I’ve loved it ever since. At that age, I was trying out a few different sports, but volleyball just clicked for me. What really captured my interest was the team dynamic, you can’t win a game on your own. Everyone on the court has to contribute, communicate, and trust each other.

That sense of shared purpose and collaboration made the game feel different from anything else I’d played. Even as a kid, I found a lot of meaning in working together toward a common goal. Over time, volleyball became more than just a sport—it was a space where I could challenge myself, form strong friendships, and grow both physically and mentally.

What was it like competing at the collegiate level?

Playing volleyball at the collegiate level was both an honor and a major adjustment. The pace was faster, the competition tougher, and the expectations higher. One of the biggest lessons I learned early on was the importance of time management. Balancing practices, workouts, travel, and schoolwork was no small task, and it taught me a lot about discipline and prioritization.

One of the most exciting moments of my college career was competing in the NCAA tournament during my sophomore year. It was surreal to be playing at that level and to see all our hard work pay off. Another special aspect was living with my teammates. We spent so much time together that we became more like family than just a team. That camaraderie made the wins sweeter and helped us push through the tough losses too.

What inspired you to transition from player to coach?

After I stopped playing, I felt like something was missing. Volleyball had been such a huge part of my identity for so long that it was hard to imagine not being involved in some way. Around that time, one of my old club teammates, someone I had played with since we were 15, reached out and asked if I’d be interested in helping her coach a team. That invitation came at the perfect time. The idea of giving back to the sport that had given me so much really resonated with me.

I also knew firsthand how much of an impact a good coach can have, not just on your performance, but also on your confidence, your mindset, and how you carry yourself. I wanted to be that kind of positive influence for young girls, especially during those formative middle school years.

How has your experience on the court, as both player and coach, translated into skills you use in your career today?

I’m constantly reminded of how much my volleyball background prepared me for the professional world. The skills I developed on the court, like time management, staying composed under pressure, communicating clearly, and leading by example, have all carried over into my day-to-day work. As a coach, I learned how to motivate people with different personalities, how to adjust strategies based on what’s happening in real time, and how to build trust within a group.

Those same principles apply in my role now. At Vericol, we operate as a team in every sense of the word. We rely on each other to meet deadlines, solve problems, and win contracts. Because I spent so many years in team settings, that collaborative mindset comes naturally. It’s one of the reasons I felt at home in this role from day one.

When coaching girls’ volleyball, what impact were you hoping to make, and how did you know you were succeeding?

When I started coaching, my main goal wasn’t just to develop strong volleyball players, it was to help shape confident, resilient young women. I wanted the girls to see themselves as capable and powerful, both on and off the court. At that age, especially around 13, it’s so easy to doubt yourself, and I wanted to be someone in their lives who reminded them of their worth. Even if volleyball wasn’t going to be their lifelong sport, I hoped the experience would teach them the value of being part of a team, learning from mistakes, and handling tough situations with grace.

One of the most rewarding parts of coaching was watching them grow—not just in their skills, but in their ability to bounce back after losses, support each other, and stay composed when things didn’t go their way. That emotional growth was the clearest sign to me that we were doing something right. Seeing them walk into a gym with more confidence than they had at the start of the season—that’s what really made it all worth it.