Former JV Coaches Face Off in the Final Four

Kansas City’s T-Mobile Arena will serve as the epicenter of volleyball in America when four teams compete this weekend for a National Championship. Millions will tune in to see Kentucky take on Wisconsin Thursday night. It’s a much different setting than the one Craig Skinner and Kelly Sheffield shared 35 years ago.

In 1990, Skinner was playing college volleyball at Ball State. During his spare time, he coached in the club ranks and at Muncie Burris High School. The 21-year-old had some help from another 20-year-old, Sheffield. Their JV team went undefeated.

Storytellers often use the phrase “from humble beginnings.” Long before the two National Championship-winners were coaching for a second…