(COLORADO SPRINGS) — There’s something about sports that brings people together. The roar of the crowd, the thrill of making a great play, and the love of the game. For Andy and Linda Pie, this year’s Warrior Games mark a return to the place where they met for the first time.
“I was at USA Volleyball here in Colorado Springs, and Linda was in the Florida region, and she called to get her recertified at a high level, and I was the person she was supposed to contact,” Andy said.
But Linda says it wasn’t easy getting a hold of Andy. “He didn’t call me back, and so I got recertified anyway,” Linda said.
So, it took more time and another adventure for the stars to align, but the two would see each other again. “I created a nonprofit and moved up to Virginia and then realized that he was close so then I asked him to come help and that’s how it kind of started,” Linda said.
Courtesy: FOX21’s Hunter Phipps
The two got married and are about to celebrate their fifth anniversary in October. Both are coaching volleyball full-time at Warner University in Florida. But on Saturday, July 26, the married couple found themselves on opposite sides, competing for the gold medal in sitting volleyball at the 2025 Warrior Games.
Linda is the head coach for Team Army while Andy is the head coach for Team Socom (Special Operations Command). But the two did not make a side bet, and this title match is not personal for them.
“We were both very competitive, and that’s the reason why we don’t want to really do side bets, because we want to stay married,” Andy said.
There is more at stake for them than just winning and losing as they try and teach lessons to those they coach. “It’s not about the coaching of the athletes and your passion for volleyball,” Andy said. “It’s about the serving.”
Both aimed to connect with their players and help them grow in their short time together in the Pikes Peak region. “I want to teach them and remind them that they’re warriors and their adversity is temporary,” Linda said.
As far as the title match went, Team Army won the sitting volleyball gold medal match in three sets.
