Coaching Staff – Ignite Volleyball Club

Owner / Head Coach

Shawn Covely

Dedicated to providing the best volleyball club experience in town!

Volleyball Coaching / Administrative Experience:

2013 – present: Ignite Volleyball Club, Club Director
2013 – present: Ignite Volleyball Club, Head Coach (12’s – 18’s)
2014 – present: USA Volleyball Safesport Director, Ignite Volleyball Club
2016 – present: North Phoenix Prep Volleyball Director, Varsity Head Coach
2015: Fountain Hills JV Head Coach
2011 – 2013: AGAF Volleyball Head Coach (ages 7 – 18)

Volleyball Education / Certifications:

2013 – present: Gold Medal Squared Coaches Clinics
2018: Gold Medal Squared Summer Camp Coach
2017/2018: AIA 1 East Region Coach of the Year
2017: USAV CAP II Certification
2015: USAV Beach IMPACT Certification
2014: USAV CAP I Certification
2013 – present: USAV IMPACT Certification
2014 – present: Safesport Certification
2013 – present: CDC and NFHS Concussion Certification

Volleyball Playing Experience:

2014 – present: Men’s/ Co-ed Indoor, Sand & Grass
1990 – 2000: Men’s/ Co-ed Indoor, Sand & Grass
1996 – 1999: Men’s California Beach Volleyball

Club Director / Head Coach

Randy Litchfield

Volleyball Coaching / Administrative Experience:

2019 – present: Ignite Volleyball Club, Club Director / Head Coch
2018-19: Victorium Volleyball Club, Head Coach 16’s
Ball State University Women’s Team – 19 seasons Head Coach
- Qualified for 8 NCAA Tournament
- Had a nation-leading 53-match conference winning streak spanning 3 years.
- Coached more All-Conference and more Academic All-Conference athletes than any coach in Mid-American history
- Traveled with teams to Italy, France, Spain and Brazil.
- Frequent university lecturer in Coaching Ethics and Coaching Philosophy courses.
Indiana Volleyball Academy
- Owned and operated large volleyball club and facility in Indianapolis
- Coached teams aging 15 and 16 years old
- Supervised the curriculum and training of 40+ coaches
- Maintained a mission of coaching and training, using competition as a tool for improvement.
Vision Volleyball Club
- Owned and managed mid-sized club and facility in north suburbs of Indy
- Coached teams ranging from 14 – 18 years old
- Operated large camp and clinic series.
- Mentored coaching staff and maintained a training-first attitude.
USA National Teams
- Served as guest coach/consultant to USA Men’s National B team focusing on setting.
- Coached in the High Performance systems at Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs.

Volleyball Education / Certifications:

USAV Impact Certified
US SafeSport Certified
AAU Coaching Certified
Formerly Emergency Medical Technician school graduate

Volleyball Playing Experience:

Collegiate
- D1 All-American setter at Ball State University
- One Final Four Appearance
- Two-time Team Captain and MVP
Post-Collegiate
- USA National Team Invitee
- USA Volleyball Open All-American
- Professional Beach Tour

Head Coach

Kat Janssen

Coaching Experience:

2017-present: Ignite Volleyball Club, Head Coach: 14’s Black
2014-2017- UK Women’s Base Varsity volleyball team: Head coach and captain
2014-2015: Lakenheath High School, Lakenheath UK Head Varsity Coach
2013-2014: WAVE Volleyball: Head Coach: 12s and 15s Nationals
2012-2013: OKC Jrs Volleyball Academy: Head Coach: 14 Nationals

Playing Experience:

2016-2017: Team Essex Trinity-Semi-pro team based in UK
2014-present: RAF Lakeneath Women’s Base team
2013-OKC Women’s National Team
2008-2012: Southern Nazarene University NCAA D2-libero

Head Coach

Summer Anderson

Volleyball Coaching / Administrative Experience:

2017 – Present: Ignite Volleyball Head & Assistant Coach
2017 – Present: North Phoenix Prep Assistant Varsity Coach and Head Junior Varsity Coach
2012-2014: Northern Arizona Juniors Assistant Coach 15’s
2010-2011: Revolution Volleyball Academy Assistant Coach 15’s

Volleyball Education / Certifications:

USAV IMPACT Certification

Volleyball Playing Experience:

2007-2011: Cactus Shadows High School Volleyball
2005-2010: Arizona Volleyball Academy Club
2004-2005: Black Mountain Juniors Volleyball Club

Head Coach

Shelby Jones

Volleyball Coaching / Administrative Experience:

2019 – present: Ignite Volleyball Club, Head Coach
2018-2019 Eclipse Volleyball Club, head coach 15s
2017-2018 Eclipse Volleyball Club, head coach 16s
2015- 2017 Village DC Ranch, Private lesson instructor
2015 Florence Juniors Volleyball Club, Florence, SC head coach 16s
2014 Florence Juniors Volleyball Club, Florence, SC head coach 16s
2013 Florence Juniors Volleyball Club, Florence, SC head coach 14s
2011-2012 Desert Stars Volleyball Club, Yuma, AZ Head coach 14s

Volleyball Education / Certifications:

2018- Current: CPR Certification
SafeSport Certification
2017-2019: IMPACT Certification

Volleyball Playing Experience:

2015-Current: Coed Adult Leagues
2012-2015: Francis Marion University, Division II NCAA University in Florence, SC
2010-2012: Arizona Western College, Division I NAAJC Arizona Western College
2006-2010: Buckeye Union High school, All- Skyline Region honors 2010

Head Coach

Alexis Pallas

You have to be able to accept failure to get better.

Volleyball Coaching Experience:

2019 – present: Ignite Volleyball Club, Head Coach
2019: Gilbert Classical Academy, JV Head Coach
2017-19: Club VOS CG, Head Coach / Assistant Coach

Volleyball Education / Certifications:

2019 – present: Impact Certified
2019 – present: SafeSport Certified
Art of Coaching clinic
Concussion Certified

Volleyball Playing Experience:

Currently play at ASU on their club team
I played club all the way through High school at various clubs
I played Varsity my sophomore,Junior and Senior year.
I played from the age of 7 till 20

Head Coach

Lindsey Veersma

"Set your goals high, and don't stop until you get there." -Bo Jackson

Volleyball Coaching Experience:

2019 – present: Ignite Volleyball Club, Head Coach
2019 – present: BASIS Phoenix – Head Coach (JH Girls, Varsity Boys)
2015 – 2017: Club Momentum – Head Coach

Volleyball Education / Certifications:

2019 – present: Impact Certified
2019 – present: SafeSport Certified

Volleyball Playing Experience:

Robert Morris University (4 years)
Inside Out Club – (6 years)
Morley Stanwood High School – Varsity (3 years)
2 time All-State Michigan

Head Coach

Heather Fisher

Volleyball Coaching / Administrative Experience:

2018 – present: Ignite Volleyball Club, Assistant Coach 14 Premier
2017 – present: Scottsdale Prep, MS Head Coach
2019 – present: Scottsdale Prep, Assistant Sand Coach
2016 – 2017: Mountain Ridge High School, Boys Varsity Head Coach
2014 – 2015: Fortitude, Head Coach

Volleyball Education / Certifications:

2018 – present: Gold Medal Squared Coaches Clinics
2018: USAV Beach IMPACT Certification
2017 – present: USAV IMPACT Certification
2017 – present: Safesport Certification
2017 – present: CDC and NFHS Concussion Certification

Volleyball Playing Experience:

2015-16: University of Charleston
2013/15 – present: 2 NJCCA appearances. GCC College
2014: National Championship, GCC College
Beach

Head Coach

LeeShay Flemons

The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.

Volleyball Coaching / Administrative Experience:

2018 – present: Ignite volleyball club, Head Coach
2015-2016: Ignite volleyball club, Assistant Coach

Volleyball Education / Certifications:

2015-2016: IMPACT Certification

Volleyball Playing Experience:

2012-2014: Westview volleyball
2012-2014: Club View/ White Tanks Volleyball Clubs

Head Coach

Amber Blazek

“Synergy- the combined power of working together that is greater than the power achieved by working separately” - Cambridge

Volleyball Coaching Experience:

2019 – present: Head Coach, Ignite Volleyball Club
2010-2014: Head Coach 16s Jacksonville Network Volleyball Club

Volleyball Education / Certifications:

2014 – present: Impact Certified
2019 – present: SafeSport Certified
2018 – present: CPR/First Aid Certified

Volleyball Playing Experience:

2014-2015: Illinois College (Outside/DS)
2010-2014: Prime Time Volleyball Club (Outside/DS)
2014: Prime Time Volleyball Club National Team
2010-2014: Blue Ridge High School Volleyball

Head Coach

Marissa Morah

“There may be people that have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do.” – Derek Jeter

Volleyball Coaching Experience:

2019 – present: Ignite Volleyball Club, Head Coach
2019 – present: Head JV High School and Varsity Assistant at Rancho Solano High School
2018-2019: Victorium Assistant Coach 16 1s
2015: Head Coach Illinois Juniors 14 1s

Volleyball Education / Certifications:

2019 – present: Impact Certified
2019 – present: SafeSport Certified

Volleyball Playing Experience:

College: Trinity International University, Deerfield, IL Class of 2017
High school: Northwest Christian High School
Club: AZ Storm

Head Coach

Hector Olivera Jr.

Volleyball Coaching / Administrative Experience:

2010-2011 YMCA DFH 7-9th Grade Competitive Coach
2016 to 2019: Club VOS Head Coach: 13’s, 14’s and 15’s
2017 to Present: Cactus Shadows High School Freshman Coach

Volleyball Education / Certifications:

USA Volleyball Impact/SafeSport Certified
CAP I Certified
Current Member: USAV, AAU, JVA, NFHS

Head Coach

Christy Boelter

"Always do your best. What you plant now will harvest later" - Og Mandino

Volleyball Coaching Experience:

2012-2013: Assistant to Athletic Director Joy Christian School
2011: Joy Christian High School-Assistant Varsity Coach
2003-2009: Coach NCS Volleyball Summer Camp, Co-Director NCS Volleyball Summer Camp 1 year
2001-2010: Northwest Christian School 8th Grade
2001-2010: Middle School Program lead NCS
2009: AZ Sky Assistant Coach 14N-2
2004: Assistant Coach AZ Grand Canyon Jr’s 12’s
1995-1999: Judson College Head JV Coach Elgin, IL
1994: JV Coach Aurora Christian High School Aurora, IL

Volleyball Education / Certifications:

2019 – present: Impact Certified
2019 – present: SafeSport Certified
2006: David Rubio Coaches Clinic University of Arizona

Volleyball Playing Experience:

Judson College 1989-1992
Ranked in the top 20 blocking for NCCAA 1991.
Team Captain NIIC All Conference NCCAA All Region and All District

Head Coach

Kerry Morgan

Volleyball Coaching / Administrative Experience:

2019 – present: Ignite Head Coach, 12’s
2019 – present: Gilbert Classical Academy, Varsity Head Coach
2016 – 2018: High Impact Head Coach, 18’s (25th at Colorado Crossroads)
2016 – 2017: Legacy High Schools, Varsity Head Coach
2014 – 2015: Centaurus High School, C Team Head Coach
2012 – 2013: Maxx Volleyball Club, 13’s

Volleyball Education / Certifications:

2017 – present: P.C.A. Certified
2019 – present: USA Volleyball/NFHS Volleyball Coach Certified USA Volleyball/NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching Certified
2016 – present: Impact Certified
2016 – present: SafeSport Certified
2014 – present: NFHS Concussion Certified, NLVB 1 Certified, CPR/FirstAid/AED Certified

Head Coach

Michael Ortiz

Teaching student-athletes that volleyball is for life!

Volleyball Coaching / Administrative Experience:

2016-2018: Club VOS – East Valley, Club Co-Director
2016-2018: Club VOS – East Valley, Head Coach (12s)
2017-2018: Club VOS – East Valley, Assistant Coach (16s)
2014: Higley High School Freshman Assistant Coach
2011-present: YMCA Volleyball Head Coach (ages 7-15)

Volleyball Education / Certifications:

2016-present: USAV IMPACT Certification
2016-present: Gold Medal Squared Coaches Clinics

Head Coach

Ed Cortes

The best team isn't the team with the best players, but the team that plays the best together!

Volleyball Coaching / Administrative Experience:

2018 – present: Ignite Volleyball Club, Academy
2018 – present: AZ Spikes, Head Coach (13U)
2017-2018: Scottsdale/Paradise Valley YMCA 4th-6th Grade Competitive, Head Coach
2016 :National Youth Sports (NYS), Girls 10-12’s, Head Coach
2016: National Youth Sports (NYS), Girls 7-9’s, Head Coach

Volleyball Education / Certifications:

Impact Certified
Gold Medal Squared

Volleyball Playing Experience:

2011-present: Men’s/ Co-ed Indoor & Sand
1995 -1997: Men’s/ Co-ed Indoor & Sand
1993 -1994: California Junior Beach Doubles Tournaments
1989 -1991: St. Anastasia Boys Varsity, outside hitter, back row

Asst. Dir. Anthem / Head Coach

Sandi Grove

"Do the right thing, show people you care, always do your best" -Lou Holtz

Volleyball Coaching / Administrative Experience:

2019-present: Ignite Volleyball Club: Assistant Club Director – Anthem / Head Coach
2017-2019 Club VOS Desert Foothills 12’s and 14’s coach
2017-2019 Assistant for Pat Powers volleyball clinics
2017-present Sonoran Trails Middle School volleyball coach
2017-2019 VOS Sand conditioning program director and coach
2015 – Present Valley wide coach trainer
2015-Present Recreational and Competitive teams, Desert Foothills YMCA
1997-2002 Head coach/player director Naval Base Coronado sand volleyball intramural team

Volleyball Education / Certifications:

2012-present Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA)
2010-present American Coaching Academy (ACA)
USAV Impact Certified
US SafeSport Certified

Volleyball Playing Experience:

1997-2002 Played on Naval Base Coronado intramural sand team
1990-1995 Played on Naval Base Ventura County indoor competitive team
1989-2002 Active Duty Navy-played on exhibition teams in Socal, Puerto Rico and South and Central America.

Assistant Coach

Kuuipolani Siverly

Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

Volleyball Coaching Experience:

2019: Ignite Volleyball Club, Assistant Coach
2017: Head Women’s Volleyball Coach for Mazama High School
2016: Head Women’s Volleyball Coach for Buhach Colony High School
2015: Head Coach for 18’s Atwater Storm Volleyball

Volleyball Education / Certifications:

2019 – present: Impact Certified
2019 – present: SafeSport Certified

Volleyball Playing Experience:

Played as an Outside Hitter in college for UC Merced, received Second Team Honors and First Team Honors for the California Pacific Conference while playing at UC Merced.
Played for 18 Blue Delta Valley Volleyball Club out of Lodi, California in high school under Coach Katie Goldhahn, a former setter for Stanford University. Under Coach Katie they qualified for 18 Open Junior Nationals.

Assistant Coach

Marissa Scheeler

Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.

Volleyball Coaching / Administrative Experience:

2018-Present: Ignite Volleyball Club, Assistant Coach 17 Premier
2014-2015: Ignite Volleyball Club
2010-2014: NHS Volleyball

Volleyball Education / Certifications:

Impact Certified
Gold Medal Squared Coaches Clinics

Volleyball Playing Experience:

2014-2018: The University of Arizona Women’s/ C0-ed Indoor/ Sand intramural volleyball; Indoor Wallyball
2010– 2014: Horizon High School Volleyball, State Champions 2012; Club teams played on: AZU, AZ Sky, AZ Storm
2009-2010: Club season: Arizona Volleyball Academy

Assistant Coach

Madison Krah

We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand. - Randy Pausch

Volleyball Coaching / Administrative Experience:

2019 – present: Ignite Assistant Coach
2019 – present: Gilbert Classical Academy, Varsity Assistant Coach

Volleyball Education / Certifications:

2019 – present: Impact Certified
2019 – present: SafeSport Certified
2019 – present: NFHS Concussion Certified

Volleyball Playing Experience:

2014-2016 – Slippery Rock University Club President
2013-2014 – Slippery Rock University Club VB Vice President
2012-2013 – Slippery Rock University Club VB Treasurer
2009-2012 – 3x AA WIPAL Champions, 2x State Finalist

Assistant Coach

Randi Reader

"You never fail until you stop trying." - Albert Einstein

Volleyball Coaching Experience:

2017 – present: Assistant Coach, Ignite Volleyball Club
2016 – present: Head volleyball coach at Greenway Middle School

Volleyball Education / Certifications:

2017 – present: Impact Certified
2017 – present: SafeSport Certified

Assistant Coach

Madison Witzman

Good teams become great ones when the members trust each other enough to surrender the Me for the We.

Volleyball Coaching / Administrative Experience:

2018 – present: Ignite Volleyball Club Assistant Coach

Volleyball Education / Certifications:

IMPACT
Gold Medal Squared

Volleyball Playing Experience:

2010: Surprise Volleyball Academy 14’s N -MB/OH
– 2011: Surprise Volleyball Academy 14’s N -MB
– 2012: Surprise Volleyball Academy 18’s N -OH
– 2013: Surprise Volleyball Academy 16’s N -MB/S
– 2014: Surprise Volleyball Academy 18’s N -MB/OH
– 2015: Sparks Volleyball Club 18’s N – MB/OH/S

Assistant Coach

Robert Kuo

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.

Bio Coming Soon!

Assistant Coach

Marisa Stewart

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.

Coaching experience:

2018 season: Head coach for 8th grade team at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School
2015 season: Head coach for freshmen team at Arcadia high school | volunteer assistant for JV team, statistician for varsity team
2014 season: Assistant coach for freshmen team at Arcadia High School

Playing experience:

2009-2011: Shenu volleyball club
2010-2014: Arcadia High School (team captain freshmen-senior year)

Assistant Coach

Jessica Babiarz-Kissel

“Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.” Henry Ford

Volleyball Coaching / Administrative Experience:

2019 – present: Ignite Assistant Coach
2018 – present: St. John Paul II High School JV Volleyball

Volleyball Education / Certifications:

2019 – present: Impact Certified
2019 – present: SafeSport Certified
2019 – present: NFHS Concussion Certified

Volleyball Playing Experience:

2019 – present: Ignite Volleyball Club, Head Coach
2014 – present: Sand Volleyball at Rio Vista
2016 – 2017: Sparks Volleyball Club
2012 – 2016: Surprise Volleyball Academy club volleyball
2008 – 2012: City of Peoria Volleyball

Assistant Coach

Caylee Kennedy

"Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up" - Dean Karnazes

Volleyball Coaching Experience:

2017-Present: Private Lessons
2014-2015: Assistant Coach for Texas Tornados Homeschool Volleyball

Volleyball Education / Certifications:

2014 – present: Impact Certified
2019 – present: SafeSport Certified

Volleyball Playing Experience:

2015: Selected for USA Jr. Olympics Volleyball
2014-2015: 692 Beach Volleyball-Houston
2013-2014: Houston Juniors Club
2014: NCHVC Undisputed National Champion
2013: Texas Alliance Club Volleyball
2010-2012: Houston Hurricanes Club
2010-2015: Texas Tornados Homeschool Volleyball

Assistant Coach

Stephanie Olivera

Volleyball Coaching / Administrative Experience:

2016-2019: Club VOS coach–13’s, 14’s & 15’s

Volleyball Education / Certifications:

USA Volleyball Impact/SafeSport Certified
CAP I Certified
Current Member: USAV, AAU, & JVA

Coach

Erika Marlatt

There is no substitute for hard work!

Volleyball Coaching / Administrative Experience:

2016-present BASIS Scottsdale Head Coach & Program Director
2009 Pewamo-Westphalia Freshman Coach

Volleyball Education / Certifications:

2018 NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching
2018 NFHS Concussion in Sports

Volleyball Playing Experience:

All State 2 years Sheridan High School, Sheridan, Wyoming
Michigan State University Club Volleyball 2 years
Recreational sand volleyball in Scottsdale, AZ

Doorways/Ignite Culture Ambassador

Maddie McLean

Sport is a great metaphor for life. Some of the most important lessons you learn will come from your time on the volleyball court. Sport is the great training ground for success in life, relationships, future marriages, careers, and overcoming trials.

Volleyball Coaching Experience:

2017: Athletes in Action International Tour TEAM USA: Co-Head Coach
2015: Normal West High School: Freshmen Coach

Counseling Education / Certifications:

Maddie is pursuing her Master of Arts in Counseling through Colorado Christian University and comes to Doorways and Ignite passionate about helping young people find strength and healing.

Volleyball Playing Experience:

2013: Wheaton College (IL) NCAA Division III All-American Outside Hitter
2012: Athletes in Action International Tour TEAM USA Player
2010-2011: College of Charleston NCAA Division I All-Conference Outside Hitter
2006-2009: Trinity Christian Academy, Addison, TX (2007 TAAPS State Champion, All-State Honors 2007-2009)
2002-2010: Club Volleyball, North Texas Region (2008 USAV GJNC National Champion)

Recruiting Coordinator & Advanced Skills Coach

Alexyss Nelson

Alexyss will be managing our recruiting program this season.

Volleyball Coaching / Administrative Experience:

2017-present: Ignite Volleyball Club
2014-2016: High School / Middle School Head Coach
2014-2016: High School Volleyball Trainer

Volleyball Education / Certifications:

CPR
USAV IMPACT Certification
Safesport Certification
CDC and NFHS Concussion Certification

Volleyball Playing Experience:

2017: Sand Volleyball Intramural
2009-2015: Club volleyball in WA and CA
2014: Cedar Park Christian HS
2011-2013: Valley Christian HS

Head Trainer - Forge

Robert Branch

Coach Robert Branch is a Master trainer with great emphasis in developing youth, collegiate and professional athletes in sports training. Not only has he worked successfully with elite volleyball players Coach Branch also has an extensive background and success in developing football, basketball, tennis, and track athletes making the jump to the collegiate and professional levels. This also includes swimmers going for gold in the upcoming 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo!

Head Trainer - Forge

Oscar Corona

My name is Oscar Corona. I have 10+ years training experience witch includes volleyball, baseball, college and professional football, as well as general population. I have a Bachelors of Science in Exercise and Wellness from Arizona State University. After graduating I became a certified strength and conditioning specialist. I love seeing the athletic improvements of the athletes along with the strength and confidence that comes with that.