Bio

Makayla Holcombe is in her third season as the head indoor and beach volleyball coach at Spartanburg Methodist College.

In 2024, the indoor program saw Makinnley Smart earn AVCA Honorable Mention North Central Region honors, along with First Team All-Continental Athletic Conference recognition. She was joined on the first team by Brantlie Price. Three Pioneers — Aurora Aho, Leilani Campbell, and Kendall Meinders — were named to the second team. SMC reached the semifinals of the conference tournament and posted a 7-2 record in matches at the friendly confines of Bridges Arena.

The SMC beach volleyball team narrowly missed a berth in the Sun Conference Tournament. Three Pioneers — Bailey Beck, Brantlie Price, and Hana Vucinic — were named to the Academic All-Conference Team for their achievements in the classroom. Bailey Beck was also named the Sun Conference Beach Volleyball Champion of Character. Both the indoor and beach volleyball programs received the AVCA Team Academic Award.

In 2023, her first year at the helm, SMC posted a 21-14 overall record with a perfect 11-0 mark in Region X play. The Pioneers advanced to the NJCAA Atlantic District A Championship. Four Pioneers — Aurora Aho, Kendall Meinders, Tayla Reini, and Hana Vucinic — were named NJCAA All-Region selections. Aho was honored as the Conference Player of the Year, while Holcombe was named Coach of the Year.

Holcombe came to Spartanburg Methodist College from Columbia International University, where she spent two seasons as the Rams' assistant coach. During her tenure, she helped guide the program to record-breaking success. The Rams compiled a 72-18 record, captured two Appalachian Athletic Conference Regular Season Championships, one AAC Tournament Championship, made two NAIA National Tournament appearances, and won an NCCAA National Championship. Holcombe also played a key role in the development of numerous award-winning student-athletes, including an AAC Setter of the Year, AAC Freshman of the Year, AAC Tournament MVP, NCCAA Player of the Year, and an NAIA First-Team All-American.

Before her time at CIU, Holcombe served as a graduate assistant at Keiser University for two years. The Seahawks thrived during her tenure, posting a combined 65-12 record, winning two Sun Conference Regular Season Championships, one Sun Conference Tournament Championship, and earning a berth in the NAIA National Tournament.

Holcombe holds an Associate of Science degree from Garden City Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Wellness, and Sport with a minor in Coaching from Chowan University, and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Keiser University.