Daniel Duque is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Betty Fairfax High School  for AZPreps365.com.

PHOENIX -- When she is not teaching health class at Betty Fairfax High School, coach Iman Isom can be found inside the gym, leading the girls volleyball team with positive energy, passion and encouragement.

As a volleyball player, Isom’s journey started when she was 12. After getting cut from her team, her father encouraged her to never give up, giving her the motivation to try out again in seventh grade.

“I’ve never put a ball down since,” Isom said.

Forming part of Betty Fairfax High School’s first graduating class (2007-2011), Isom became part of the Stampede’s varsity team in 2009, where she played as an outside hitter and served as captain. In 2024, she returned to the same program that shaped her, this time as varsity coach.

Her biggest inspiration to coach was her younger sister, who she began coaching as a young athlete and watched her development as a volleyball player.

“I have watched her turn into something beautiful,”Isom said. “I’ve watched her turn into one of the best volleyball players I’ve ever seen. She ended up playing club for me and after her senior year she decided to go to a bigger club, which is understandable by watching her.”

After previously coaching the freshman and JV teams, Isom took the varsity role when her former Stampede teammate and previous coach Victoria Hernandez stepped down. She has developed a welcoming coaching philosophy that combines hard work, passion and love for volleyball.

“I always tell them [her players] that we make hard work become easy,” Isom said. “You should want to work hard every time you get on this court because winning is not easy and to win is fun. So all that has to come together and that is just my biggest philosophy, trying to get their mindset ready to work hard and win. That is what makes volleyball fun.”

For senior setter Bella Salas, Isom has been a role model ever since she was a freshman at Betty Fairfax, both on and off the court.

“She has just been literally one of the biggest role models in my life when it comes to school,” Salas said. “Here, she definitely is somebody who helps me out a lot. Even if it is not volleyball related, I can go to her.” 

Salas expressed her gratitude towards the growth she has experienced under Isom and said it will be bittersweet to leave Betty Fairfax.

“I’m going to be so sad when I graduate, it will really be a sad day, but I am happy that I have been under her wings guiding me,” Salas said.

Senior outside hitter Alexis Rosas said that Isom has helped her cheer up and let go of mistakes that can be made during games. When she first started playing at Betty Fairfax, Rosas used to dive on her knees leading to injuries, but under Isom’s leadership, she was able to correct this and continue growing as a player.

“She has helped me grow. I overthink a lot and get on myself. She helps me calm down,” Rosas said. “She talks to me outside of practice, which really helps and it feels like I can go to her about anything basically.”

Rosas said that despite being an emotional person and initially having difficulty accepting  criticism, Isom has helped her and the team grow stronger by overcoming challenges and growing more united as a team.

“She is very tough, but it is out of love,” Rosas said. “You can tell she just really wants what is best for us.”

Beyond being a role model for her players, Isom also inspires Betty Fairfax JV coach Katie Gutierrez, who also coaches at the AZ Future volleyball club, owned by Isom. 

“I like that she is very sure about her coaching style. She knows that what she does works and she has seen progress,” Gutierrez said. “I am a very reserved person. I’m getting there at some point, but it is good to see a different perspective.”

Gutierrez said that the main reason players respond well to Isom is trust and confidence.

“She knows what she is doing, she knows the answers,” Gutierrez said. “If you have a question or you are unsure about something, you know you can go to her and she will tell you what to do, especially when the players, like they are kids, sometimes get emotional or they are confused. Having an adult that is sure of themselves and has a direct answer for you is really good.”

Gutierrez added that Isom has formed an important bond with the players, which helps create a positive environment after difficult games or practices.

“I think she does a really good job about individualizing her connection with each of the girls," Gutierrez said. “She talks to them as a group and she makes sure she has one-on-one conversations with them, especially with home life.”

Gutierrez continued, “She understands that some things could be brought into the game and that not everybody is perfect. Something could happen at home, you could be upset and she understands that. She checks in with them and I think that it is clearly shown with how good the girls respond to her that they feel supported.”

Growing up as an African American, Isom struggled to earn playing time on club teams in a predominantly white sport. It was not until high school that she finally had the chance to showcase her skills.

“In club, I really didn’t get what I deserved,” Isom said. “I don’t know if I was on the wrong team or whatever, but I knew I had the passion for the game and I knew, even though it did teach me a lot, it taught me how to be humble, it taught me how to just do my job to win gold medals. I won three gold medals in club, but I wasn’t on the court all the time.”

Incentivised by her negative experiences as a player, Isom decided to make sure her players get enough playing time based on effort and not favoritism.

“I give girls what they deserve, talented or not,” she said. “If they are not the best player on the court but they are there every time, they are playing. I’ve seen those girls blossom and I’ve seen those girls be able to get you a win. It is something you can’t explain but you see it, you see that those girls make it happen because they have done it at practice.”

Whether it is running her club, coaching the Stampede or teaching health class, Isom continues to set good values through volleyball.

“I just want that message to be out there that I’m here for the sport, boys or girls,” Isom said. “I’m just here to make sure that good volleyball does not run out.”