As an East Coast transplant, I started playing volleyball a lot later than is available to start on the West Coast.  I picked up my first volleyball my freshman year of High School in Coventry, Rhode Island under Coach Messier and Coach Leo Bush.  The next four years of play defined my playing career.  Volleyball was the sport for me.  My senior year, my team went to the State Championships for Rhode Island.  We did not win but that did not stop me from pursuing my love of the game. 

I decided to better my volleyball playing skills by joining my own Junior Olympic volleyball club.  I played for Coach Bob Schneck in his RI Junior Rams Club team for 3 seasons.  While playing for him, I also attended his renowned summer camp to better myself as a player.  The club also organized our recruiting videos and interest forms for college recruiting.  Coach Schneck recommended I check out Coach Joel Dearing at Springfield College.  And so I did…

I was impressed.  Coach Joel Dearing is by far the best coach I have had my pleasure of learning from.  My desire to become a coach of my own is due to this amazing man.  He instilled such a love for the game and the details that it takes to become a great player.  Volleyball is all about knowing the other opponent, where the gaps are in their defense, spotting any and all openings in their game and being able to implement that knowledge to the best of your ability.  Coach Dearing has taught me the technical knowledge that can make a good player, a great player.

This teaching has become my Coaching Philosophy.  I would like to teach all of my players how to think on and off the court.  Volleyball is as mentally challenging as physically and you must have both sides of the game developed to be a great player.  I want to teach my players the technical basics and why they are so important so they will have a solid base to continue their playing career on.  With a strong base of skill, each player can find their niche in the volleyball world and become the strong and skilled players they dream to become.  I also believe that individual goals should always be strived for and accomplished.  I will incorporate the establishment and pursuit of personal and team goals throughout each season with chances to look back on our progress. 

I am a new but extremely passionate Coach.  I believe that part of feeling successful in life is instructing the younger generations of volleyball players about my passion for this sport and helping them to thrive in their pursuit of the game.