Prep Pride on the Podium: Coach and Former Players Take Silver at Nationals

June 2nd, 2025

Sandia Prep’s volleyball legacy is alive and spiking -- this time on the national stage.

Varsity Volleyball Coach Audra Gentry ’06 teamed up with two of her former players, Alora Lucero ’18 and Camryn Nelson ’18, to claim second place at the USA Volleyball Open Adult National Championship in Denver, held May 23-28. The trio battled through a field of 40 highly competitive teams to earn their spot on the podium.

The full-circle moment -- from coach and players to teammates -- was special for everyone. “This was a really cool feat, and I loved being able to share this with these Prep alums,” Gentry said.

As if the story couldn’t get more “small world,” a few Albuquerque high school referees were also at the tournament -- and they didn’t hesitate to root for their hometown squad.

Gentry’s volleyball résumé is nothing short of stellar. Now in her 13th season as Sandia Prep’s head coach, she’s led the varsity squad to four State Championships, earned the title of New Mexico High School Coach of the Year in 2019, and was recently inducted into Southwestern University’s Athletic Hall of Fame. She's also a two-time collegiate All-American.

Lucero and Nelson were on the Prep team that took state in 2017.

Lucero works as a jury consultant. She’s planning a move to Kansas City to be near her brother William ’16 and pursue a graduate degree in sports psychology.

Nelson graduated from Highlands University in 2022 with a degree in exercise science and is now pursuing an MBA in finance at the University of New Mexico.

From high school champions to national contenders -- it seems once a Sundevil, always a Sundevil.