'Teaching grit': Gilford volleyball coach recognized for a longevity fueled by camaraderie, love of the game, and winning

GILFORD — Longevity is rare these days in mentoring high school athletes, but Amy Tripp has been at it for more than 30 years. She was recently recognized by the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association for her time coaching volleyball.

The Golden Eagles volleyball program is storied to say the least, dating back to the days of Joan Forge winning title after title. Tripp started coaching the Gilford Middle School team in 1993, before moving up to the high school the following year to coach the ninth graders. In 1995, she started coaching the junior varsity team, and that year Gilford High School won the state championship.

Tripp continued coaching JV and was heavily involved in the varsity team’s program alongside Forge, learning more and more from the legendary coach who is now at Plymouth State University. It wasn’t until 2018 that Tripp took the helm as varsity coach, and found immediate success winning three straight titles.

“2020 was interesting enough, because it was during COVID, and we actually played the championship right here at Gilford High School,” Tripp said. “We had to social distance, the kids were allowed only one friend and their parents, and had to be three feet apart. But we were happy to get the title and win it here.”

Tripp grew up in New Zealand, and said her time as a volleyball player morphed her into the coach — and person — she is today.

“There is definitely a coaching shortage these days, and it is challenging work,” Tripp said. “The desire to give back is deep rooted in me, and the reason I still coach.”

Tripp was able to travel all over the world with her school’s team growing up, and with the New Zealand women’s volleyball team she played all over Asia and Europe. Both as a player and coach, she enjoys the opportunities presented, the camaraderie between team members, the being able to push each other to greatness.

“I still keep in touch with players I knew in college,” Tripp said. “Unlike some other sports, it is one where you just can’t do anything alone. You have to pass, set and hit. It says a lot about the team aspect in volleyball.”

Tripp said her longevity is intertwined with her professional career, as she has a great job as a physical education teacher at Gilford High. This wasn’t always the case. She started teaching during the 2009-10 school year, and before was a massage and physical therapist.

“The pairing of teaching and coaching has worked well together,” Tripp said. “It’s really nice to be able to coach in the school I work at. I have been given a lot of support from the administration, for both my teaching and coaching.”

She thanks Forge for mentoring her all those years, then picking her as successor whether she felt like she was ready at the time, or not.

“She picked me out of the nest and said it was mine,” Tripp said. “I didn’t really know if I was ready, but off I went.”

Tripp has a daughter in eighth grade and is looking forward to being able to coach her in the high school volleyball program next year. She will be able to take her experience in building relationships with players to another level.

“I like to help young people be the best that they can be,” Tripp said. “There is a lot of teaching grit.”

While she said winning is of utmost importance, there's plenty more to the game of volleyball, and high school sports in general. Tripp admits the team is in a bit of a drought after so many years of success.

In 2022, the Gilford volleyball team missed the playoffs, which was tough for Tripp and the players to wrap their heads around, just two years removed from a three-peat. It was the first time in 27 years Gilford volleyball didn’t have a playoff berth.

“That was a very reflective year,” Tripp said. “I remember our meeting at the end of the season. We had a cry together. We knew it wasn’t what we expected. As a coach I had to look deep and figure out what was next. We’ve been rebuilding from there.”

Tripp acknowledged that perhaps there was some carryover from Forge’s expertise in her championship season, but maybe that was something to learn from.

“Not saying those championships were all because of her, but those were some of her kids,” Tripp said. “I’m looking forward to the next championship. There is a winning mentality here from having those nine in a row, then two more, and then three. But kids graduate, and you have to rebuild.”

Tripp has former player Lexi Boisvert coaching her JV squad, and the two have been using data to evaluate their team and opposing teams, as well.

The Golden Eagles have a solid current season, boasting a 8-4 record to date with four matches remaining in regular play. These are some big games, including the always well attended Dig Pink game against Plymouth on Friday, Oct. 17.

This helps raise money for breast cancer research, which is near and dear to Tripp and the Gilford community, as former player Amy Annis died of breast cancer at age 31. She was a member of the 1997 championship team, and Tripp said Gilford has a special bond to the game because of it.

While the team has posted a number of strong wins this year, Tripp said there are some major tests coming before the end of the regular season. Oyster River is undefeated, and Hanover has only lost once in a season opener battle against Coe-Brown Northwood. Gilford lost to Coe-Brown at the beginning of the season, but gave them a run for their money, losing 3-2 in a match that went to extras in the fifth frame.

Coming off a year where the Golden Eagles lost in the first round of the playoffs to Campbell, Gilford has a motto of “on a mission” this season. The goal, Tripp said, is to get to the final four for the first time since 2021.

“We have some work to do but winning is always the goal,” Tripp said. “We work so darn hard as a team.”