Drawing purpose and fulfillment from her coaching roles through meaningful connections, Banwarth says “the types of special relationships I make with players or former coaches is why I started coaching.” While she admits her on-court demeanor is focused and driven, she’s eager to show Atlanta fans her deep passion for winning and competing at the highest level in this league.
Karch Kiraly, head coach of the USA Women's Volleyball team, has been a key mentor for Banwarth. She credits him with teaching her to maintain “low expectations and high hopes,” a lesson that shaped her understanding of earning success—a principle she now holds at the core of her coaching philosophy.
With elite talent on the roster, Banwarth sees a prime opportunity to achieve remarkable success to Atlanta. Banwarth emphasizes, "when you are on a team, the person’s success next to you should be the most important," as she highlights her commitment to fostering strong team chemistry.
The Pro Volleyball Federation will host a draft later this year, and the Atlanta Vibe is ready to make an impact. Thanks to a trade with the Columbus Fury, the Vibe now have two first-round picks, serving a huge advantage. “We want to get as many talented players as possible. We are searching for players who could come in right away and have an immediate impact, fitting into our culture. As a staff, this is one of our main focuses - win the draft,” Banwarth claimed.
After a full season of competition, the Atlanta Vibe is charged up and ready to make noise in their second year. Banwarth plans to harness the "unfinished business" mentality, driving the team to stay hungry and focused on victory. “I know we all are ready to finish what we started last year,” she says, acknowledging the renewed intensity and determination within the squad.
Banwarth’s family, including her husband Beau and their son, recently moved to the city and are thrilled to dive into all the native specialties. Taking in their new surroundings, they plan on exploring local parks and restaurants in and around Atlanta.
Arriving last Wednesday, Banwarth has already made herself acclimated to Atlanta. Banwarth made an appearance at McCamish Pavilion to support the Atlanta Vibe’s own Shelly Fanning as she coached Georgia Tech Volleyball through a thrilling match against UCLA.
