Midway through our conversation, Brent Reeves turned the tables. He started asking questions. And handing out compliments.

That's the Brent Reeves way of doing things.


The first-year Van Buren volleyball coach was barely two days into his new gig last week when he was asked some pertinent questions regarding 2016 Lady Pointers' squad. He had no answers.

But, polite as he is, Reeves did his best to answer them anyway.

Now, a week into his new job the veteran girls coach couldn't be happier. With his wife, Kathy, looking on, Reeves celebrated his 32nd wedding anniversary Thursday night by watching his team erase a late deficit against Alma.

Could this be the tip of the iceberg for the Van Buren Lady Pointers?

Trailing 13-9 in the third and deciding set, he told his players a few simple words of encouragement: "Just play your game."

Van Buren rallied for a 19-17 victory and, after a tough, hard-fought 3-2 loss to Southside, has reason to smile. Well, at least grin.

Reeves, along with Kathy, have spent the previous three years in Chiang Mai, Thailand. As you might suspect, there are no direct flights from Fort Smith, Ark., to Thailand.


Teaching basketball and volleyball at Grace International School, the Reeves' made their way home in late summer.

"It's really hot over there," Reeves said. "I can't hardly stand that. In fact, we got off the plane here an thought it was cool weather."

Kathy Reeves found work almost as she was deplaning at Greenwood Public Schools. Brent, however, didn't have anything solid until he reached out to Van Buren athletic director Randy Loyd.

"I applied for the ninth grade volleyball job at Van Buren," Reeves said. "Coach Loyd and the people over there, I'm really thankful they gave me a job. Everybody at the academy, and really at the whole school (system), it seems like they really love the kids."

Reeves was afforded an opportunity when former ninth grade coach Heather West accepted a position in Texas.

"We felt very fortunate to get a high quality applicant like coach Reeves," says Drew Cone, Van Buren's Activities Director. "He's won state championships and served in the mission field. He represents what we're looking for."

Reeves previously spent six years teaching in Thailand before returning to Arkansas, where he picked up at Mansfield. In all, he taught and coached there for 19 years.


Reeves won two state titles at Mansfield — 2009 and '12. In 2012, the Tigers won the first of what would be three straight state titles.

Initially, Reeves was hired to coach the ninth grade team. Right before school, however, Van Buren reassigned well-liked Lady Pointer volleyball coach Stephanie Hill. Loyd asked Reeves to step in.

Reeves hit the ground running, and after a 3-2 loss to the Mavericks, the Lady Pointers responded with a tri-match sweep of Vilonia and Alma.

"Honestly, I thought we played well against Southside, so I wasn't disappointed in that at all," Reeves said. "It seems like the intensity is getting better every game, as far as them getting excited on the court. It's been to watch them. It was fun (against) Alma, because I've played them for years and they're always scrappy."

"You want to hire good character people, and we have a lot of those, so to hire another one is great," Cone added. "You want them to treat people right, and that's what he brings to the table."