Team USA star Tyra Turner takes over volleyball at Seacrest Country Day

NAPLES, Fla. (WINK) — Former Team USA standout and Fort Myers native Tyra Turner is the new director of volleyball at Seacrest Country Day School.

Volleyball has taken Turner around the world. But at Seacrest, she's a familiar face as the school's head of lower school, who is now adding another title to her resume.

"I started my volleyball career at Cypress Lake. I am a Panther, Fort Myers Beach kiddo. I absolutely love Florida. Again, I left, and I traveled to 18 countries a year for an enormous amount of time, but I couldn't be more grateful to be back," Turner said.

Turner brings a decorated background to a decorated program. She is one of the greatest players in UCF history and wore Team USA across her chest on both the indoor and beach volleyball national teams.

"Every time I step on the court, I take this very seriously, and it's not the winning point or the match point that I take seriously. I take seriously each lesson that sport provides, and if they bring that piece back to a relationship with me or a relationship with Seacrest, then I know we've won," Turner said.

It's a philosophy that's already left a lasting impression on and off the court. Sophomore Sophia Baron experienced Turner's caring nature firsthand.

"The first day of school, I was so nervous, and she sat outside the hallway with me for an hour, just to get me to go into class, and that just describes what kind of person she is. She's just so loving, so caring, and I know she'll push us really hard but with tough love," Baron said.

Seacrest athletic trainer Skyler Sieber knows what to expect. She played for Turner in club volleyball years ago, and now they're working side by side.

"Tyra, when she coached me for club, was one of my favorite years. I just liked how she ran, and she was fun, but she was also firm, and it was one of my best experiences in the club," Sieber said.

Turner's focus extends beyond the sport itself. Her goal is to build meaningful relationships with each player that will last long after their time on the court.

"My job here is so much greater than just this sport. I'm just hoping that with an individual relationship with each of them, that they take something away that is meaningful that they can hold and carry forever," Turner said.