Mandi Holden
12-1 Gold

Volleyball/Coaching Experience:

I am a RYVA coach because:

Lee Jameson
12-1 Gold, 12-2 Club, 12-3 Club and 17-2 Gold

Volleyball/Coaching Experience: Prior to graduating from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1992, my experience with volleyball only involved an occasional jungle ball game. After marrying a college volleyball player and moving to Minnesota, I began regularly playing both indoor and outdoor volleyball. Roadkill, an indoor mens A/AA USAV team out of Rochester, opened up my eyes to the world of volleyball and honed my skills. In 1994, a friend convinced me to coach the 'B' squad at Pine Island HS. I did that for two years followed by 3 years
at the varsity level. After my kids arrived, I gave up coaching for several years but I continued to play indoor 6s, reverse coed 2s on grass and mens sand 2s. In 2001, I joined SMV as a 12U coach and have coached at that level every year since. Additionally, during that time I have become CAP
certified, coached the JV at Century HS, coached a fall 7th grade RYVA team and am currently coaching a SMV 17U team.
Beyond coaching and playing, I have been on the RYVA board for the last 5 years and have been president for the last 3 years. I have been a USAV juniors referee clinician for the last 6 years along with a provisional or regional referee. I also refereed for 2 years for the MSHSL.
I am a RYVA coach because: I love the sport of volleyball. As a coach, there is something very appealing with taking a group of players and not only improving their individual skills but also molding these players into a cohesive and competitive unit. I believe that I have a lot to offer, and what I teach applies both on and off the court. Why am I an RYVA coach? I am a big believer in the tenets of the RYVA organization and have invested a lot of my time in this organization because of these reasons. If a player wants to
play, RYVA tries very hard to find a spot for that player. All players are welcome in RYVA regardless of their high school affiliation. Additionally, RYVA players play with teammates of the same age and level of ability.

Deb Gross
12-1 Gold

Volleyball/Coaching Experience: I played middle at Mayo High School (started varsity for 3 years) 1st team all-conference 2 years; played at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale as outside and middle hitter - 1st team all-conference of Missouri Valley Conference D-1  for 2 years; SIU-C Female Athlete of the Year; played Adult USAV Women's A/AA for 6 years; coached at SIU summer youth camps for 2 years; coached junior varsity at Carbondale, IL High School; volunteer coach at JM varsity for 1 year; Century B-squad coach for 3 years; RYVA/SMV coach for 7 years 12s, 13s, 14 Elite teams.  Personal info- married to Aaron; son Aidan 15 months old and one on the way due in July; Black lab named Dakota; black cat named Jenny.
I am a RYVA coach because: I love the game and I love getting kids to love the game and want to improve and push themselves.  The sport is always changing and I like the fact that teams are separated by the net!

Megan Lewis
12-2 & 3 Club

Volleyball/Coaching Experience:

I am a RYVA coach because:

Angie Jameson
12-2 & 3 Club

Volleyball/Coaching Experience: I played volleyball at Lewiston High School in Lewiston, NE mostly as an outside hitter and at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln NE as a defensive specialist.  I have been involved with volleyball in either a coaching or playing capacity since I was in junior high. My first stint in coaching was with the old Rochester Volleyball Club where I coached 2 years with 16 and 17 year olds. I began coaching with SMV in 2001 at the 12’s level and have since coached at the 14’s and 16’s levels. This year I have been a volunteer coaching with the 12-2 and 12-3 teams. I am a RYVA coach because: I love the game of volleyball and especially love coaching the kids.  It is so much fun to get to know them and watch them grow, not only as athletes but as individuals on their way to becoming young adults.  I cherish the interaction and the relationships formed with the players.

Matt Schroeder
14-1 Gold

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 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.

Ashley Bjorge
14-1 Gold

Volleyball/Coaching Experience: I started playing volleyball in middle school and continued at Eastview High School up in the cities. I played JO for Eastview for 3 seasons and had a great time learning the game and forming friendships with teammates. In college I played intramurals and took every opportunity to play. I have had little experience coaching in the past with various clinics during high school but this is my first time coaching for ryva.
I am a RYVA coach because: I wanted to coach volleyball to share my love of the game with young girls and be a postitive influence. I love to teach/coach and I thought this would be a great opportunity to share what I have learned
about volleyball and at the same time be able to learn from the athletes and watch them grow and evolve into not only great players but great people as well.

Larry Priestly
14-2 Club

Volleyball/Coaching Experience:

I am a RYVA coach because:

Crystal Schmitz
14-2 Club

Volleyball/Coaching Experience:

I am a RYVA coach because:

Sherry Looker
15-1 Gold

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.  

Sarah Gardner
15-1 Gold

Volleyball/Coaching Experience: I have been playing volleyball competitively for about six years now. I first played for Rochester Spikers 14's, SMV Elite for two years, and other JO teams. I played for Mayo High School for four years and started varsity for three. Now I go to Saint Marys University in Winona and played my first season of college volleyball there. This is my first year coaching volleyball, and I am very excited about it.
I am a RYVA coach because: I absolutely love volleyball; it is who I am and what I do. I'm excited to have the chance to influence the girls to feel the same way I do about volleyball. I only hope that my passion for volleyball helps me to increase the skills of my girls, and to give them the same competitiveness that I have on the court.

Greg Herbert
15-2 Gold

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.  

Jerry Sobolik
15-2 Gold

Volleyball/Coaching Experience: I played one season for a team of co-workers.  This is my second 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.

Gretchen Batzel
15-3 Club

Volleyball/Coaching Experience: I have been playing volleyball since the 4th grade through high school and 2 years at a junior college.  This is my second year coaching at the Club level.
I am a RYVA coach because: I thoroughly enjoy teaching people the game of volleyball and really get enthused when somebody loves the game as much as I do!  Working with the 15's age group gives me the opportunity to instill my playing and training thoughts to the girls before they have developed a mindset.  This gives them the opportunity to take a little from each ethic in order to make their own.

Jan Anderson
15-3 Club

Volleyball/Coaching Experience:

I am a RYVA coach because:

Deb Hegerle
16-1 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.

Ashley King
16-1 Elite

Volleyball/Coaching Experience: I played varsity volleyball for Caledonia.  I played in many tournaments with the Caledonia Juniors (JO volleyball).  I finished my first season of college volleyball at RCTC under Coach Carolyn Bell.  I plan to continue to play volleyball for many more years.  I coached a 12-year-old junior olympic volleyball team in Caledonia.
I am a RYVA coach because: I love to play volleyball, and I have always enjoyed working with other athletes.  I figured this would be a great opportunity to help me become a better coach and learn from others as well.

Catlin Cleary
16-1 Elite

Volleyball/Coaching Experience:

I am a RYVA coach because:

Mark Ziemann
16-2 Elite

Volleyball/Coaching Experience: I just completed my 12th season coaching girls. I have coached at every level from grade school to varsity with most of those years coming in Illinois. I also coached boys volleyball for 8 years in Illinois. My club experience consists of 3 years at Sky High, coaching both boys and girls, and 1 year as an assistant coach at the 18-2 level with SMV.
I am a RYVA coach because: I love to coach and teach which is my other passion. I have been a math teacher for 16 years and enjoy working with athletes/students to help them realize their full potential and develop an appreciation for the sport/subject area. I also appreciate the opportunity to pass on my knowledge and excitement for the game to dedicated players and be able to work with them in achieving success in one of the ultimate team games. Lastly, I love to compete on any level and coaching is a great outlet for that.

Rick Lane
16-2 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
16-3 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.

Sara Ayres
16-3 Gold

Volleyball/Coaching Experience: I have been playing volleyball since fourth grade, which has been some odd eighteen years. I played varsity in high school in Wilton, Iowa, which is a small town in eastern Iowa. I then went on to play Division III volleyball at Clarke College in Dubuque, IA. Once I received my nursing job at the Mayo Clinic I sought out a volleyball team to join. Usually every season I am on one or two teams which range from co-ed to women’s. I also sub for my husband’s co-ed and men’s teams.
I am a RYVA coach because: I realized that since I was putting in so many hours on the volleyball court, I needed to share my knowledge with the younger population. I have also dreamed of one day being a volleyball coach of some sorts and this was a good way to begin that journey.

Chris Ayshford
16-3 Gold

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.

Amir Dzamalija
16-3 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.

Nicolas Niederlander
16-4 Club

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.

Jamie Rothe
16-4 Club

Volleyball/Coaching Experience: Volleyball (and sports in general) have been a huge part of my life. I was a 4 year player at Minneapolis South High School. I then went on to play for Augsburg College both as a middle and a right (as well as a year of Softball and Basketball). My first experience coaching was at a junior high level and that is when I was bitten by the coaching bug. I took over the Britton-Hecla High School program in 2004 and coached for three years before we moved back to Minnesota. I have also been a part of many traveling tournament teams, leagues, and clinics as an adult. This is my first year coaching for SMV.
I am a RYVA coach because: It is hard to put into words why I coach. I coach not only to help players become better athletes on the court but better people off the court as well. I coach because it is great to see the smiles on your team when they finally learn a new skill, complete a tough drill, and know that they have reached their goal. I coach because someday I hope that an athlete will think back about a coach that has had the most influence on their life and think of me.

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.

Rich Anderson
17-1 Elite

Volleyball/Coaching Experience:

I am a RYVA coach because:

Melanie Lane
17-2 Gold

Volleyball/Coaching Experience: I grew up in St. Charles, and put more hours into the Saints volleyball and Junior Olympic programs there, than I probably put into my homework.  I had the opportunity to be a part of the SMV program my senior year of high school, as part of the 18 Elite team. I then went to Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa and played collegiate ball there for two years.  I returned to southern Minnesota after graduation and coached as the assistant this past year at RCTC.
I am a RYVA coach because: Volleyball is an obsession.  I’d like to be a positive influence in young women’s lives as I’ve had coaches in the past be a positive influence in mine.  I am also looking forward to learning from the amplitude of talented coaches at SMV.  There is such an exciting and positive atmosphere that comes from playing club ball, and I’m excited to be a part of it again.

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. I was the head coach of the John Marshall High School volleyball program during the 2006/2007 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.