I started coaching with Wisconsin Premier in 2022 as the U13 coach. In 2022, I coached the Junior Highlanders 8^th grade team. 

I played for my school teams from 6^th grade – high school. I enjoyed being a setter. As an adult, I played indoor leagues for several years. When I moved to Texas, I played beach volleyball for 5 years.

 

I became a volleyball coach when my niece asked me to coach her team. As a longtime mentor and trainer in my professional career, I fell in love with coaching. I’ve always loved volleyball but helping others learn the game and fostering a love for it made coaching the first job I’ve ever looked forward to every week. I played club soccer and basketball as a youth and it helped me learn how to be a team player work through difficult situations and not give up.

I coach based on my current team’s unique composition and talent. Each athlete has unique strengths and weaknesses. My job is to build up both for the betterment of not only the team but also the individual so they may be prepared for the next level of play by the end of their season with me. Each player placed on the team has a specific skill (setting, passing, serving, hitting, defense,  etc.), and combined together these skills are what make up a team. During the season the girls may be asked to help out in different positions so they will all learn at least the basics for every position. This will be helpful for their future in volleyball too because whether they continue to grow taller or not their position as they get older may change.

I believe that we should progress as the season goes on and get better with every tournament we play. We will have individual and team goals for each tournament. Each practice I come prepared with a plan for specific skills to work on. I believe that one of the best ways to improve gameplay is to play the game, so every practice there will be at least one version of 2 v 2, 3 v 3, 6 v 6, or scrimmaging our other 13s or 14s teams.

We all play an important part in the success or failure of the team. Some players may have a more prominent role. However, it is important that we support each other in a positive way.  Playing time will be based on individual skill, work ethic in practice, and attitude. Therefore a player that may start out as a starter may become a nonstarter as the season progresses if another player works harder and skills bypass them. This also helps ensure the girls continue to work hard all season long to either keep their starting position or gain a starting role. As a coach continue to learn about the game throughout the year and I encourage players to do so too. I provide the girls with written and video information to review to increase skills or knowledge of a topic we are working on. For example, hitting approach and arm swing or having a positive mindset.

 

AOC Head Coach 1 Certification

AOC Head Coach 2 Certification

 

My U13 girls team finished 3^rd at the Diggin in the Dells Tournament. They also took 7^th in the President’s Day Tournament and 2^nd in the Jade Bracket for the Mideast Qualifier.

 

Currently, as a mother of a toddler boy, I spend most of my days running around the house, climbing, jumping, playing catch, hide and seek, air guitar, and being a ninja. My husband was in the Marine Corps and currently does Brazilian Jujitsu. So he joins in on being “ninjas” too.

I am also a Licensed Professional Counselor and have 19 years of experience helping children and adults with mental health diagnoses.

As an adult, I have also found a love of kickboxing. Although I haven’t been consistent in playing lately, I do love soccer and basketball.