Alexa Smith to return to Lewis-Palmer as head girls volleyball coach

The last time Alexa (Smith) Strube stood on the floor representing Lewis-Palmer girls volleyball, she was hoisting her second straight Class 4A state championship trophy.

Now she’s being tasked with getting the Rangers back to that championship level.

Following the 2021 fall season, Rangers coach Wade Baxter decided it was time to move on from the program. He spent years with the team as an assistant to Susan Odenbaugh before taking the program over and bringing three more championships to L-P.

“Obviously he’s been a huge part of the run,” Rangers athletic director Nick Baker said. “Following coach Odenbaugh wasn’t going to be easy for anybody, but with him being a part of the program and helped building it with Sue, it helped keep things rolling along.”

For Baxter, the decision is rooted in paying more attention to the classes he teaches which involve AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science and Physics. After spending 17 years both teaching and giving his free time to volleyball, he feels his energy would be better directed toward the classroom.

“At the beginning of the year, I tell kids that they’re taking a really hard course; one of the hardest courses they’ll ever have,” Baxter said. “Oh and by the way, for the first two-and-a-half months of the year, I’m not available for any help after school.”

There is no doubt in the building that he leaves the program in a great place and prime for a resurgence. His work has helped lay a foundation and establish standards for the volleyball program.

Strube’s interest in taking the program over actually started before she was aware that the position would come open. What started as friendly text message with an old teammate turned into a legitimate opportunity for Strube to build on Baxter’s foundation and maintain his standards at Lewis-Palmer.

“(Coach Baxter’s) stepdaughter, MacKenzie Hunt texted me on senior night on told me it was Wade’s senior night and she was just thinking about all the memories we had,” Strube said. “I jokingly texted back ‘What if you and I took over the program?’ I was totally joking about it and didn’t even think about it. Somehow it got around and fast-forward to the first week of November, I’m getting on a plane to go to a friend’s wedding in L.A. and I get a call from Nick Baker telling me there’s an opening and he’d really like me to apply for it.”

She eventually did and will take over the program as it looks to re-establish itself as a volleyball powerhouse in the state. The Rangers won six titles in seven years with Strube being the standout player in the first two championships of that run.

“Having her come in is going to be a big-name draw,” Baxter said. “For her knowing everything that goes into it, not just stuff that fan sees on the court, but all the other behind the scenes stuff is going to be demanding. I have no reason to believe that she won’t do a great job. It should keep Lewis-Palmer on the forefront of places that kids can go to play volleyball in the Springs.”

She played her freshman year of college volleyball at Purdue before transferring closer to home to play for the University of Colorado. In three years with the Buffs, she totaled 1,329 kills. She racked up All-Pac-12 honors as well as American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American honors while playing at CU.

That’s in line with how she performed in high school She was the Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year in 2014 and was also named the MaxPreps National Player of the Year.

She played one year professionally but suffered a career-ending injury and opted to head back to Colorado where she now works in real estate. And next fall, she’ll stand on the same bench that played a crucial role in her development as a player and try and grow the next generations of volleyball greats at L-P.

“One of the things I’m most excited about is keeping the tradition in that program,” Strube said. “Odenbaugh and Wade just established this foundation of excellence and made it this historical and decorated program. I’m just excited to witness that myself and to carry on that legacy for all the girls coming through the program.”