Alli Puuri
“My name is Alli, and I was born and raised in Sheridan, where all of my family still lives. I am currently a math teacher at Sheridan High School. After graduating from Sheridan High, I attended Sheridan College for two years before transferring to the University of Wyoming, where I completed my teaching degree. I am now working toward my master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family—especially at the lake during the summer—and I love staying active by playing sports.”
Volleyball Experience
• In high school, Coach Alli was a three-sport athlete, competing in volleyball, basketball, and soccer.
• After graduating, she earned a volleyball scholarship to Sheridan College, where she continued both her academic and athletic career.
• During her sophomore year, she served as the starting libero and ranked in the top 10 nationally in NJCAA for digs.
• After completing her time at Sheridan College, she decided to step away from competitive play. While finishing her degree at the University of Wyoming, she began coaching at Laramie High School under Jill Stucky.
• She coached the Freshman A and B teams for two years and was part of the coaching staff when Laramie won the State Championship in 2023 and finished as State Runners-up in 2024.
Why do I coach?
“I coach volleyball because I love helping athletes grow both on and off the court. As a teacher, I see coaching as an extension of the classroom, where athletes learn accountability, communication, and perseverance. I am passionate about building a strong team culture and helping players develop confidence, leadership, and a genuine love for the game. I believe volleyball is a powerful tool for teaching life skills that extend far beyond the court.”
What do I look forward to teaching my team?
“Life skills outside of volleyball matter.
This season won’t always be easy. There will be losses, mistakes, frustration, and moments where things feel unfair or hard. But adversity is where growth actually happens.
When things get hard, we don’t shut down—we respond. We learn how to communicate instead of blame, how to stay disciplined when motivation dips, and how to trust each other even when confidence is shaky.
Volleyball is just the practice ground. What we’re really learning is how to face challenges, push through discomfort, and come out stronger on the other side. That’s something you’ll carry with you long after the season ends.”
Why the philosophy of coaching "person first, athlete second" is important to me:
“Wins, stats, and playing time matter, but they are never more important than a player’s mental health, confidence, and sense of worth. When athletes feel seen and valued as people first, they are more willing to work hard, take risks, and grow—both on and off the court.
I believe that when we prioritize the person—teaching resilience, accountability, empathy, and how to handle adversity—the athlete naturally follows. Players perform better when they feel supported, trusted, and safe to make mistakes.
My goal as a coach is not just to develop skilled volleyball players, but strong, confident individuals who know how to face challenges, support others, and carry those lessons into life beyond the gym.”
Other Tidbits
“I enjoy staying active and being outdoors whenever I can!”