Larry Priestly
12-1 Gold

Volleyball/Coaching Experience:

I am a RYVA coach because:

Lee Jameson
12-1 Gold and 12-2 Gold

Volleyball/Coaching Experience:

I am a RYVA coach because:

Missy Barth
12-2 Club

Volleyball/Coaching Experience: I  played volleyball at Wells Easton High School for 5 years & Rochester Community College for 2 years as a middle hitter. Since 1988 I have played in the Rochester Park and Recreation women's top VB league. I also have played co-ed over the years, and I still play women's sand 2s. This is my first year formally coaching volleyball.
I am a RYVA coach because: My 8-year old daughter was interested in playing volleyball and a persuasive e-mail from Randy identifying a need for coaches prompted me to say YES to coaching:-) It was a great opportunity for me to learn
coaching drills/style from Lee J, who is an awesome, experienced coach. It was rewarding to see the skill development of many first time volleyball players over the course of 10 weeks.

Sherry Looker
14-1 Elite

Volleyball/Coaching Experience: Hi my name is Sherry Looker. I have coached at SMV for 8 seasons, primarily at the 14's level, with some 12's experience as well. I have always had a passion for sports, especially volleyball and
basketball, playing both during high school, college, and a major portion of my adult life. My oldest daughter got me interested in coaching back when she was in 6th grade.  She played in the USYVL which was a beginner's volleyball league.  Parents were welcome to join in, learn the basics and develop a sound fundamental instructor perspective of the game.  I then began to be involved in Rochester Youth Volleyball the same year in the winter.  Again the scenario was similar, we have kids, we could sure use some parents to help with the programs. So under leadership of Bob Koerner and Randy Ayshford, I gained experience as a coach for 12's and then I settled into coaching the 14's for the past 7
years. The game of volleyball has transitioned into a game of positions, defensive and offensive strategies.  There has been Olympic and European and Japanese influence into much of our game as it is played today.  It is incredible and so exciting to watch professional and aggressive volleyball from 14 years old and up thru the ranks, to college and Olympic volleyball. As I was out there in my early years as a coach, I was inspired to learn more of the game today to become a better coach, so I have a rather sophisticated library, and have attended many volleyball clinics regionally, including clinics by Dennis Amundsen(ex Gopher setter coach,
and Twins pitching coach), Pat Powers(Olympian player), and Walt Weavers MVI clinic in Apple Valley.  My aspirations are to continue teaching the game of volleyball, and keep learning.
I am a RYVA coach because: As I continue to grow as a coach, I realize that there is more than one way to do it, and be successful at most volleyball skills, and when you watch others play or watch others coach, you can gain an appreciation for all the unique ways.  So as a coach, it is so important to be open-minded, to enjoy doing what you do, to like the players, and be yourself, and hopefully impart some of your wisdom and leadership skills onto them, as well as role modeling. Over the years, I did coach both my daughters, but of the years coaching, I have had more teams where neither of my girls played on my team.  I felt fulfilled to be able to accomplish teaching young lady athletes about the game of volleyball and about life lessons.  It's not always winning, but how you played the game, or being honest on that call, paying attention reffing or doing the scorebook, representing your team, your town, and your club are more important.  It's also not always about winning, but sometimes about losing gracefully. Coaching is challenging when you have a full time job.  My full time job is working with cancer patients and giving chemotherapy.  There it is about life or death. The days are fulfilling at work as well. So sometimes I come to volleyball to get away from my work, to have an
outlet, to exercise, to just be me, outside of work. Volleyball has provided that for me. Also, I have some of the nicest friends through our club.  It's an awesome thing to have coaches that are experiencing the same sort of issues as yourself, or the ups and downs that go with coaching. So if you ask me why I coach, it's because I love it, I love the girls,
the gym, the lessons that you learn every day to be a better person.  

Matt Schroeder
14-1 Elite

Volleyball/Coaching Experience: I first started playing volleyball in grade school thru the YMCA (I still have my first pair of knee pads...)  I've played intramurals for about six years, and I also played for UW La Crosse (2003) for one
season.  I began coaching when my sister's middle school volleyball coach was looking for an assistant to help in practice (back in 2001.) Since then I have coached at a few other clubs including West Bend Power and Sparta Sparks.  I coached JV and Varsity Reserve at Aquinas High School in La Crosse during college.  This is my first year with SMV
14-1, and I also assisted with the SMV Boys 18 team.  
I am a RYVA coach because: I enjoy working with children and young adults because I like to see them evolve as players and as a team throughout the season.  Along with
me coaching the players, the players have taught me a few lessons this season as well.  I've appreciated watching the players succeed-not only through winning, but through personal achievements and reaching goals as well.  I believe that if you come to practice with a good attitude, hard work ethic, and always try your best, you will do well in volleyball.
It's one of the toughest sports out there, but it's also the best-the players should feel very lucky that they have such supportive parents and fans, and its been great getting to know the families of the players. I'm looking forward to the AAU tournament in Orlando, and it's been a pleasure working with Sherry and the other fine coaches at SMV.

Matt Hillesheim
14-2 Gold

Volleyball/Coaching Experience:

I am a RYVA coach because:

Greg Herbert
14-2 Gold, 14-4 & 14-5 Club

Volleyball/Coaching Experience: I have been playing Volleyball for around 20 years. I began playing after I got burned out playing Hockey. Once my Daughter got interested in playing, I helped teach and coach her. In the past I have coached St. Francis Seventh and Eighth grade girls volleyball teams.   I have also coached multiple Soccer and Hockey teams.
I am a RYVA coach because: My Daughter wanted to focus on playing volleyball, and I signed her up to join RYVA.  I, being one that loves to coach, decided to join as well. I will be continuing to coach Volleyball with the Catholic school system so I also wanted to gain additional volleyball/coaching knowledge from the RYVA coaching staff.  

Linda Boraas
14-3 Gold

Volleyball/Coaching Experience: I played two years at the college level.  I have coached at Zumbrota and Zumbrota-Mazeppa since 1983 at various levels.  Currently I am the head vb coach at Z-M.
I am a RYVA coach because: I choose to coach at Rochester when my daughter started to play down their and have enjoyed coaching there.

Glenn Huntoon
14-3 Gold

Volleyball/Coaching Experience:

I am a RYVA coach because:

Jerry Sobolik
14-4 & 14-5 Club

Volleyball/Coaching Experience: I played one season for a team of co-workers.  This is my first season as a coach.
I am a RYVA coach because: I decided to coach because I enjoy watching my daughter play and wanted to help her become a better player.

Racquel Reker
14-4 & 14-5 Club

Volleyball/Coaching Experience: I played 3 years Kasson-Mantorville High School and 3 years Byron High School. All Conference. All State Nominee. 4 years Kasson-Mantorville J.O. 4 years Elite Southern Minnesota Volleyball. I coached 2 years Byron 5th and 6th grade volleyball. First year as Head Coach of SMV 14-5.
I am a RYVA coach because: The friendly people and environment. Also the experience for me to be able to put back into the club that I have spent so many hours playing for.

Jenny Wulff
14-4 & 14-5 Club

Volleyball/Coaching Experience:

I am a RYVA coach because:

Deb Hegerle
15-1 Elite

Volleyball/Coaching Experience: I played volleyball at Osseo High School and the University of Minnesota – 4 years. I was one of the original 6 founders of MVI Camps
and played many years with USVBA. My coaching experience includes B-Squad Coach – Wayzata HS, Varsity Coach – Cretin Derham Hall HS, Northern Lights – 16-1’s, 18-1’s (6 years), and 9th Grade Coach – Kasson Mantorville HS.
I am a RYVA coach because: I love working with young ladies, not only on the court teaching them the game, but also the off court time when I can get to know them on a personal level. I enjoy watching the hard work in practice pay off when a team plays together and succeeds…which is not always measured by wins. I enjoy the conflicts that arise amongst members of a team because that’s an opportunity to help them learn how to deal with conflict which is a part of everyday life.

Rick Lane
15-1 Elite

Volleyball/Coaching Experience: I coached club volleyball in St. Charles before joining SMV.  I have been coaching SMV since 2003-2004 season.
I am a RYVA coach because: I first became a coach at SMV when my daughter was playing.  She has since gone on to play at the college level.  I continue to coach because I enjoy working with the girls and seeing them advance their volleyball skills

Randy Ayshford
15-2 Gold

Volleyball/Coaching Experience: I have been involved in many aspects of volleyball since 1972, as a BB, A and AA level player indoors and on the beach in doubles, a player in
the USA Open National Championships at the A, AA, 35's, 45's and 50's levels of play, a Junior National and Collegiate Official, an editor, writer and publisher of the NCR Region Newsletter, organized and directed volleyball events from local Juniors and adult events to regional and international events with USA, Japan, USSR, Russia, and Korean National Teams. I was a B & JV coach for Mayo HS in the 80's, and have been a Juniors Coach and Club Director for the Rochester Volleyball Club from '87 to '93,  Northern Lights Coach in the mid '90's, a Coach and Board member for Rochester Youth Volleyball Assn., (SMV) from 1998 to present.  I have received a variety of awards from North Country Region and USA Volleyball over the years, the most recent was the USAV North Country Region Founders Award in 2006 for many years of support of volleyball in the region.
I am a RYVA coach because: Coaching is a blast.  I truly enjoy the opportunities to pass on the thrills and excitement of playing a very competitive and unique sport to young players who are willing to explore the challenges of volleyball.  And to see their growth and the development of their passion for the game, that is the reward for my efforts.  I want to provide the opportunity for volleyball athletes to achieve the highest level of training here in SE Minnesota and provide each athlete the skills and tools necessary for them to continue on with the sport of volleyball when they leave the SMV program.  SMV is the beginning.

Amir Dzamalija
15-2 Gold

Volleyball/Coaching Experience: I started playing volleyball when I was 15 years old in Foca, Bosnia Hercegovina former Yugoslavia. Three years later I was selected to play for the Junior National team of Yugoslavia.
Right after that I was offered to play for the top team in Sarajevo where I spent most of my career. During that period we took the Cup championship of Yugoslavia, Vice championship in the league, and qualified for European Cups every year. Shortly before the war started, I moved to Germany and continued playing for VFB Friedrichshafen in Friedrichshafen. This was a great club, and we took Vice championship in the league and third place in the finale Cup CEV in Padova, Italy.
After a few years, I went to play in the third league in Germany with a team called TSV Saulgau in Saulgau. The following season we were able to jump up in the second league. After one year playing Saulgau, we reached the top league in Germany. The same year, I moved to Rochester, Minnesota. I joined a club team in Rochester and played many tournaments in Minnesota. My first job as assistant coach was at Stewartville High School where the team finished twice in 2nd place at the State tournament. I was selected to be an assistant coach for the Minnesota Chill in Rochester, but the league was cancelled.
I am a RYVA coach because: I think my experience in volleyball can benefit young players to develop their skills.
I love to help young athletes to win and to be succesfull in life.

Rachel Gullerud
15-2 Gold

Volleyball/Coaching Experience:

I am a RYVA coach because:

Jon Wold
15-3 Gold

Volleyball/Coaching Experience:

I am a RYVA coach because:

Jason Stoll
15-3 Gold

Volleyball/Coaching Experience:

I am a RYVA coach because:

Becky Vossberg
15-3 Gold

Volleyball/Coaching Experience:

I am a RYVA coach because:

Nicolas Niederlander
16-1 Gold

Volleyball/Coaching Experience: I have been playing for 16 years in several clubs in France (Cannes / Grasse / Nice / Lyon / Cagnes / Montpellier), up to the 3rd National Division level. With my university team (Montpellier), we won the 2003
National University Championship and went to the finals in 2004. From the beginning, I have always played as a setter (the best position of course!). In France, I coached for 8 years in clubs, with players from 14's to adults. I became official referee when I was 16, officiating since up to the national level.
I am a RYVA coach because: My attempt is to share my personal player and coach experiences with younger players and to try help them reaching their best. Also, when Randy Ayshford asked me if I wanted to coach for SMV, I thought it would be a real opportunity and a big challenge to coach a team here in the US.

Karen Nerbun
16-1 Gold

Volleyball/Coaching Experience: I started to learn from my older sister at the age of 10 in my backyard.  During my years at Cumberland High School in Cumberland, WI, I played junior varsity and varsity my freshman and sophomore years as setter, and then varsity as a junior and senior as setter, middle, and right side hitter.  After graduation, I continued to play only recreationally through various city leagues and open gym. I began coaching in 2005 when I joined RYVA as the 16 Gold assistant coach, and continue in that role today.  I also serve as Director of Coaches for RYVA. 
I am a RYVA coach because: I love being able to share my love for the game by extending my knowledge and experience with young volleyball players.  I believe that RYVA provides a great opportunity for girls, and now boys, to not only improve their volleyball and critical thinking skills, but grow as athletes, team members, young adults, and to build lasting friendships with players from other communities.  The personal gratification that I feel for coaching and mentoring our area's youth, while great, is nothing compared to the excitement that I feel for the player who is working hard to achieve their highest level of play.  It is that excitement that keeps me coming back and motivates me to be a better player and coach.

Steve Schroeder
16-2 Gold

Volleyball/Coaching Experience: I have played volleyball since 1978 mainly in rec programs and tournaments.  I started my coaching career as a soccer coach with RYSA travel teams for about 7 years.  Once my daughters became more interested in volleyball I started coaching JO volleyball about 10 years ago.  I have coached for K-M JO's - 6 years, Northern Lights in Burnsville - 4 years, and now at SMV.  I
have also coached at Kasson-Mantorville as 8th grade coach and currently 9th grade coach for 6 years.
I am a RYVA coach because: I enjoy helping build and being a part of a team.  I also learn more about volleyball and life every year from fellow coaches and players.  Being associated with RYVA has been a very positive and fun experience which puts the girls and their growth as people and volleyball players first.

Angie Jameson
16-2 Gold

Volleyball/Coaching Experience:

I am a RYVA coach because:

Gretchen Batzel
16-3 Club

Volleyball/Coaching Experience: I started playing volleyball in 4th grade, played varsity in high school, played here in Rochester at the college for 2 years as a starter where we made it to state the first year that I played.  I am new to coaching and loving every minute of it. 
I am a RYVA coach because: I feel that all people should have the opportunity to play - whether it be high school or otherwise.  I am looking for the best experience in coaching possible. 

Hillary Ayshford
16-3 Club

Volleyball/Coaching Experience:

I am a RYVA coach because:

Jeff Swantko
16-3 Club

Volleyball/Coaching Experience:

I am a RYVA coach because:

Rick Mishka
17-1 Elite

Volleyball/Coaching Experience: I played college club volleyball at UWSP for three seasons, two of which I was the treasurer of the club and starting setter.  I was an All-American honorable mention at Nationals.  I then played two seasons at Graceland University in Iowa as a setter and right side.  I started coaching for two seasons at Tri-County Middle School for both the 7th and 8th grade teams.  I coached for Wausau Airborne Volleyball Club out of Wausau WI for two seasons, the first being a 16-1 team and the other an 18-1 team.  I then was an assistant coach at Graceland University for the women's program for two seasons.  I am currently the assistant coach for Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.
I am a RYVA coach because: It is a great opportunity to help with recruiting and allowed me to work with an elite program as a head coach again.  The pay and trip to Orlando were a perk, but it was really about the potential to coach a team that I was able to choose.

Chris Ayshford
17-1 Elite

Volleyball/Coaching Experience: I have been around Volleyball since I was very little. I have been playing competitively now for over fifteen years and started out playing with a club team from Minneapolis called Team Sota. Since then, I have gone on to play at the AA and Open divisions here in the states and also played professionally overseas in Germany.  Over the years, I have had the opportunity to be coached, as well as, play with and against some of the best people this sport has to offer.  My position of choice is the left side.  But I have been trained to play middle and right side as well which allows me to be more of a threat on the court.  I have eight National Tournament appearances (three club and five adult), and have played in more tournaments than I can remember.  This is my first year as a true coach.  Over the past few years I have donated my time to help out with SMV teams and before that I coached
both a girls and boys team while in Europe.  I was also a player-coach for the short-lived women's professional volleyball team, the Minnesota Chill.
I am a RYVA coach because: I want to give back to a sport that has given me the opportunity to do so much.  I want to teach others what I’ve learned and encourage them to grow as a team.  Most importantly, I want to create good volleyball players.

Deb Gross
17-1 Elite

Volleyball/Coaching Experience:

I am a RYVA coach because:

Rich Anderson
17-2 Gold

Volleyball/Coaching Experience:

I am a RYVA coach because:

Brad Brech
17-2 Gold

Volleyball/Coaching Experience:

I am a RYVA coach because:

Angie Burg
17-2 Gold

Volleyball/Coaching Experience: I coached C-squad and was a Varsity assistant coach at Cathedral High School in St Cloud MN for the fall of '99 & '00. I was a junior olympic coach for Granite City Junior Olympics in 2000, 2001 & 2004. I coached 15's, 14's & 17's. 
I am a RYVA coach because: I moved down to Rochester in January of this year due to a job relocation for my husband. I wanted to get involved with the volleyball programs, either coaching or playing. A co-worker connected me with the SMV program. It has been a great experience so far and I look forward to the rest of the season with the girls. 

Carolyn Bell
18-1 Elite

Volleyball/Coaching Experience: I’ve been playing hard court volleyball for about 21 years total!  For the past ten years I have been a JO coach, ages 13 through 18. This past year I took the position as head coach of the John Marshall High School volleyball program and plan to continue in the 2007 season.  I was also the Coaching Director of SMV from 2003-2006.  Prior to starting my coaching career, I played four years collegiate volleyball in NY and after college continued to play competitively in USAV tournaments.  I now play volleyball recreationally only.
I am a RYVA coach because: I love to coach because I have a passion for teaching.  As well, my graduate degrees are in exercise science and sport psychology so I get a kick out of being able to use what I’ve learned to positively influence both the psychological and physical health of young women who play volleyball.

Jim Bell
18-1 Elite

Volleyball/Coaching Experience: My volleyball playing experience is that I have played since 1989, I have played on a collegiate club team division II as well as USA volleyball.  I started coaching 12 and under from 1993-1994, then assisted with the college team at Genesee Community College in 1994-1995.  My wife and I began coaching together here in MN in 2000 and have done so since then.
I am a RYVA coach because: I decided to coach for RYVA because I wanted to do more activities with my wife, who was interested in coaching.  I keep doing it because I love to teach and to learn from the athletes.

Jarrod Brian
Trainer

Volleyball/Coaching Experience:

I am a RYVA coach because:

Stacy Stoll

Volleyball/Coaching Experience:

I am a RYVA coach because:

Kim Leonhard

Volleyball/Coaching Experience:

I am a RYVA coach because: