Coach Samuel Torres

Coach Sammy Torres’s love for volleyball began at the young age of 7. Playing as team captain throughout his primary and secondary years, Sammy made school history, leading his high school team to qualify for the first time ever for the top high school tournament. In 2003, Sammy earned a scholarship to play college volleyball for the NCAA University of Puerto Rico. Discipline and determination have played a vital role in Sammy’s volleyball career.  

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In 2004 and 2005 he was the starting setter for UPR and helped the team reach the finals twice in the Puerto Rico College League LAI. In 2006, Coach Sammy and his beach partner, Daniel Erazo, won The University of Puerto Rico Beach Volleyball Tournament and were runner-up at the University Games Beach Volleyball Tournament. From 2007 to 2010, Coach Sammy became a Pro Volleyball Player in Puerto Rico, playing for the Changos de Naranjito and Patriotas de Lares. In 2009, Coach Sammy received his degree in Physical Education from the University of Puerto Rico.

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Sammy’s success on the volleyball court, not only fueled his passion for the sport but his desire to share all that volleyball has to offer with others, as well. Sammy began coaching while still in college, as head coach of his alma mater, CSF Middle School and at Caparra Country Club. He continued his coaching career at Corozal Volleyball Academy as head coach of the National Champion 10U girl’s team. In 2011, Coach Sammy began ST7 Volleyball in Puerto Rico and was the head coach for 18U boys. In 2012, Coach Sammy moved to the United States and became assistant coach for Foundation Academy, helping them achieve 2A state runner up. He was also head coach with Juice Volleyball Club, leading his 17U girl’s team to 5th place at AAU Nationals. 

 

2013 was a year filled with exciting new beginnings for Coach Sammy. First, he received his State of Florida teaching certificate and became a Physical Education teacher for Liberty Christian Prep School and head coach of their varsity volleyball team. It was also the year that he began ST7 Volleyball in Lake County, Florida. ST7 Volleyball was born from Coach Sammy’s desire to create a place where young athletes can come and grow, not only as volleyball players, but as leaders among their peers. In 2015, as ST7 Volleyball continued to grow, Coach Sammy retired from teaching, making ST7 his full time career. Coach Sammy has continued to both coach and direct ST7 Volleyball for the past ten years. His teams have continued to reach some of the highest levels of achievement within both USAV and AAU tournaments. Coach Sammy has trained athletes who have gone on to become AAU All Americans, collegiate players at every level, and even professional volleyball players within the Puerto Rican Professional Volleyball League. ST7 and Coach Sammy are grounded in the principles of discipline, respect, and the belief that one should “train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it” Proverbs 22:6