A lasting legacy on and off the court: Mattson retires from coaching Lakers after third straight title

MEREDITH — Inter-Lakes Volleyball Coach Randy Mattson completed the rare feat of three consecutive state titles this fall. She's going out on a high note, as that was her last season.

Dozens of supporters — including former players, parents, and school staff and board members — gathered for a retirement ceremony for Mattson on Jan. 16, where she received a plaque from School Board Chair Charley Hanson for her 33 years leading the Lakers.

“Randy leaves behind a legacy defined by leadership, compassion, and unwavering commitment to her players,” Hanson said. “She brought energy and purpose to every practice and match, teaching not only the fundamentals of volleyball, such serves, setting and digging, but also the values of discipline, resilience and teamwork.”

Hanson said her presence on the court created an environment where young athletes felt inspired to give their best, and her record speaks for itself. She made a lasting impact by empowering players to believe in themselves, while encouraging confidence and perseverance.

“Many players grew under her guidance, discovering their own strengths and potential, because she took the time to be a mentor,” Hanson said. “Someone who listens, and leads by example.”

Superintendent Mary Moriarty described Mattson as an “outstanding human being who happens to be an outstanding role model and exceptional coach.”

She said for more than three decades, Mattson has been the heart and soul of the Lakers program. Moriarty said Mattson's impact as felt throughout the Lakes Region and beyond.

“You truly are the gold standard,” Moriarty said. “Your true legacy isn’t found in a trophy case. It’s found in the thousands of lives you have shaped since you first stepped onto the court.”

Athletic Director Sarah Dumais said Mattson’s legacy is a testament to the idea that building a championship culture is a marathon, not a sprint. She highlighted her decades of dedication, noting she coached for 25 years before capturing a state title. This, Dumais said, proves long-term persistence is a foundation of success. Dumais also said Mattson’s approach revolves around “holistic coaching.”

“Her approach goes beyond the court, focusing on marginal gains by tracking players’ sleep, hydration, nutrition and physical metrics like vertical leap,” Dumais said.

She also lauded Mattson for establishing the “Pink Game,” saying it has raised thousands of dollars for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. The Laker Maker Program is an initiative Mattson created that has been vital to fostering a love of the sport for young athletes, to ensure the program’s success.

“Coach Mattson’s career serves as a master class in how to build a program that values the person just as much as the player,” Dumais said.

A pair of former players also spoke about how Mattson positively affected their lives, on and off the court.

Meadow True graduated in 2025, and played all four years of high school under Mattson, winning a pair of state titles. She was captain in 11th and 12th grade, and shared her favorite memories. Leading up to high school, she always wanted to play volleyball under Mattson’s leadership, saying in eighth grade, she overheard Mattson tell her coach she had potential. This, she said, went right to her head.

She told funny anecdotes about her time playing, from getting hit in the face with a ball and Mattson lessening the blow with humor, to various drills. She got serious when she spoke about her final year, when her father was diagnosed with cancer, and Mattson was there for her in such a difficult time.

That same year, she hit 1,000 assists, and said she even saw Mattson shed a tear.

“Randy taught me lessons about life through something that we both love,” True said. “She truly is one of the most special people to exist.”

Coach Jordan St. Cyr is a 2018 graduate, who played under Mattson for four years. For most of her life, she said, Mattson was a household name, noting her mother faced her while playing for Belmont.

St. Cyr said starting as a fifth grader, and working her way up through middle school, she had goals of making the varsity team, and leaving a legacy with her name on the wall of the gymnasium.

“You were instrumental in making both of those dreams come true,” St. Cyr said.

Mattson, she said, built a program focused on achieving academic and athletic success, while fostering teamwork and developing strong leadership characteristics.

“I would not be the person I am today without your guidance and skills you taught me along the way,” St. Cyr said.

Mattson was humbled by the words of her supporters, looking around the room to see people she had known for her entire career.

“Thirty-three years is a long time. And when I first started doing this, my children were the age that my grandchildren are now,” Mattson said. “It seems so strange to me, to think back to that now.”

Mattson said the game of volleyball has changed dramatically, but one thing that hasn’t is that coaching is about relationships and people. She is so happy to have a positive effect on her players, some of whom have plans to coach. She also looked into the audience to see a group of middle school players, future Lakers.

Along with gratitude, she offered advice. She thanked her former and future players for letting her be part of their journey. She hopes they learned lessons which go beyond the court, and stay with them for life.

“My advice to you is strive for excellence,” Mattson said. “Even if you aren’t winning at whatever you’re doing, continue to work hard and be a good sport, and be a good teammate.”

She also thanked the parents, and appreciates the dedication they made to support their children. Her advice was to keep kids and grandkids involved, and to support them, especially when they aren’t winning.

“Be the positive voice they need to hear,” Mattson said.

Mattson said it was an honor to work with her fellow coaches, and her advice was to “keep going, develop strengths, and don’t forget my phone number, because I’m always willing to help.”

Mattson thanked the school board and school leadership for their continuing support for the volleyball program, and all Inter-Lakes sports.

She also made a couple requests. She asked the runner-up banners be hung back up in the gym, as student athletes worked hard for that honor.

“The girls who earned those banners worked really hard for them,” Mattson said. “We displayed those banners for years. If the banners needed replacement, do it, and then please put them back up.”

She also requested the girls locker room be renovated, and thinks it is the only space on campus that hasn’t been updated. Mattson noted a brand new boys locker room was constructed, and the plan to renovate the girls locker room was delayed for a lack of funding, or to make room for other projects.

“This is long overdue,” Mattson said. “Let’s please be fair. Please, renovate the girls locker room.”

Mattson said many thought she might retire in 2019, after finally winning a title nearly three decades into her storied career. She simply wasn’t ready, which was a good thing, because success continued, with her career culminating with four straight trips to the finals and three titles. The Lakers won 48 straight matches to end her career, and they went 19-0 in each of her last two seasons.

“Coaching here has been one of the greatest privileges of my life,” Mattson said. “I’ll always be proud to say this was, and is, my home.”