Kim Saunders, a respected coach, devoted mother, and beloved friend, died suddenly on July 27 at age 53. Born April 23, 1973, in Washington, DC, Saunders grew up in Waynesboro, where she built a foundation for a successful life on family values and a love for athletic competition.

Tributes to Saunders were posted on social media and on the Grove-Bowersox tribute wall. Her coaching mentor, Jay Heefner, who preceded Saunders as WASHS Volleyball Coach, said: “Kim has always been a wonderful part of my life as an educator and coach. She made me a better person and a better coach. I have lost a great friend.”

Looking back on her career, Saunders returned to her hometown as an adult. Her Waynesboro upbringing motivated her to excel as a volleyball coach, and also in other facets of her life. Saunders recorded her 200^th career coaching win in September 2025, and her achievement was a testament to her constant drive and determination.

Saunders remarked in a later interview that her success was built on teamwork. “The hard work and passion of all the dedicated athletes and the supportive community have made it special. Watching the players grow, learn, and succeed as student-athletes has been a joy.” 

After a standout career in high school, Kim left Waynesboro in 1991 to further her education. Saunders attended Morgan State University, where she made an immediate impact on the volleyball court, setting an NCAA Division 1 record for service aces in a single season.  

Saunders later transferred to Drexel University and completed her degree. She began coaching in North Carolina at NC A&T and Highpoint University. While in the Tar Heel State, Kim met her future husband, Mark. They married and started a family.

In 2008, Saunders returned to Waynesboro to be closer to her family. Four years later, an opportunity came knocking when WASHS hired Kim to become the Maidens Volleyball Head Coach.

Before Saunders took the helm, the Maidens were in a rebuilding phase and posted a 2-16 record in 2011. However, like her college successes, Saunders’ impact on the WASHS program was immediate. The team rebounded to a 10-8 record her first season. Her peers noticed that quick turnaround and named Saunders Mid-Penn Capital Division Coach of the Year.

Each season afterward, the Maidens grew more confident under Saunders’ leadership. They won their division in 2014 and went to Districts. In 2015, all the team’s ingredients gelled perfectly to produce a stellar season. The Maidens finished undefeated, going 20-0. Despite being upset in a District match, it was a season that Saunders cherished.

Saunders’ teams remained competitive during the past 10 years, and she won numerous coaching awards. When asked about that success, Saunders described her coaching mindset. “I set high standards. The athletes know what’s expected in the classroom and on the court.”

Entering the 2025-26 season, Saunders knew she was 12 wins away from her 200^th victory, but thought that milestone was a secret shared only with her husband and son.

However, when Kim recorded that coaching win on September 29, 2025, she realized her players were also aware of her significant achievement. The Maidens surprised Saunders on the court with a banner and a festive celebration. The team went on to a 16-4 record and earned a trip to the District playoffs.

Saunders later reflected on her coaching career and said she thought her leadership skills were innate. Her mentor, Jay Heefner, said in an earlier press interview that Kim had tremendous vision on the court, even as a young player. But Saunders stressed that when coaching a team sport, communication and cooperation were the key ingredients to achieving athletic success.

Saunders often went beyond her coaching duties. She helped some of her players secure their first jobs, and many former athletes came back to see her. Her past Maiden players were also getting married and thriving in adult lives. “That’s meant as much to me as it does to them,” Saunders had said. “Volleyball is what brought us together, but it’s the relationships we build that matter.”

Kim Saunders is survived by her husband, Mark, her son, Ethan, her mother, Ann Spottswood, and her sister, Michelle. Her father, Albert “Albie” Spotswood, who died in 2020, was a former standout Waynesboro athlete like Kim.

The family will receive friends on Friday, July 31, at the Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home (50 S. Broad Street), from 5 to 8 pm. A funeral service will be held at Trinity United Church of Christ (30 W. North Street, in Waynesboro) on Saturday, August 1, at 11 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family is establishing the Kimberly Spottswood Saunders Memorial Fund to support student athletes and Waynesboro athletics. Details about that fund will be announced soon.