| | Julie Vordenbaum
Director, Victory Volleyball Club Julie Vordenbaum brings fifteen years of coaching volleyball experience to our program. She began her career in her hometown of Wichita Falls, TX where she coached 14s for three years with the Red River Volleyball Club. Then, her senior year of college, she took a break from club and started a volunteer volleyball program that provided quality coaching for kids that were interested in improving their skills, but for various reasons did not compete in club. After moving to Dallas in 1999 following graduation, she coached for clubs with ages 14-16. For the ’03-’04 season, her Victory team (13 National) won a bid to nationals. Julie again qualified in 2006 and lead that team to the highest finish of any Texas team in their division at the Junior Olympic Championships in Minneapolis, MN. In ‘07 and ‘08 both her 14’s teams qualified to compete in the 14 Open division in the Junior Olympic Championships. For the ‘10 season, her 13’s qualified for the Junior National Championships and they brought home the highest award of any Texas team in their division. Last year, her 13’s team won the Tour of Texas and qualified to compete at the Junior National Championships with a 3rd place finish at the Big South qualifier. Julie was also the co-founder and lead instructor for Platinum Volleyball Solutions. For PVS, she conducted various team camps, summer clinics and private lessons. Julie was named the PYSN Coach of the Month for October 2006. During her career in school ball, her JV CCCA Lady Cougars were the undefeated district champs in 2006. Julie was also a part of the coaching staff of the 2007 TAPPS State 4-A champion Lady Cougars. She also lead the Varsity program at Prestonwood Christian Academy to the playoffs in only her first year as head coach. Julie is IMPACT certified. She also took the USA CAP I and CAP II classes. She has completed multiple the Gold Medal Squared clinics led by USA Olympic National Team Assistant Coach Carl McGown, PHD. Julie is a member of the USAV, Kids Sports Network, and AVCA. |  | | | | | Heidi Mullins 11 Elite Black Head Coach Heidi is returning for her 5th year coaching for Victory. Heidi began her career at Tennessee Temple University as a 4-year starting setter and defensive specialist. Upon graduation, she took over a struggling Canyon Creek Christian Academy volleyball program that has blossomed under her leadership from 1997-2010.
She amassed an impressive 260-69 all-time as a coach for Canyon Creek Varsity including 7 district titles. During her tenure as the Varsity Head Coach, she won the State Championship in 2007, 2008, and 2009. She was named “Coach of the Year” at Canyon Creek in 2007, and was selected to the TAPPS All-Star game as a Head Coach. Recently, she was also named Texas Private School Coaches Association, “Coach of the Year” for 2009.
Heidi has coached numerous Division I college athletes including 2 athletes from her 2008 Canyon Creek squad that play for Tulsa University and Iowa State University, respectively. Heidi and her husband, Eric, have two beautiful daughters, Kylie and Ellie. |  | | | Josh McKinney 11 Elite Black Assistant Coach Josh McKinney is entering his third year coaching club volleyball, and second year with Victory. Last year Josh was the assistant coach for Victory 12 elite who finished 2nd place at nationals. Josh is a recent graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX. He has a bachelor of science degree in kinesiology with a minor in biology. Josh grew up in Royse City, TX, and graduated from Royse City High School in 2006. Josh lettered in football, basketball, and ran track while at RCHS. Josh played on the men’s club volleyball team at SFA. He enjoys playing intramural basketball, volleyball, and sand volleyball whenever he can. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you" |  | | | | Kyla Obert
12 Elite Black Head Coach Travel Coordinator Kyla is excited to start her 3rd year as the 12 Elite head coach. After 2 consecutive seasons of taking her teams to the Girls National Championships, with respective 2nd (2011) and 11th (2010) place finishes, Kyla is looking forward to another great season of coaching 12's. She believes that fundamentals are an important part to molding these young athletes and preparing them to be elite volleyball players. After 9 years of coaching, Kyla has set a precedence for the type of players she looks to make up National qualifying teams: players that make great teammates, have a great work ethic, have good attitudes, have a passion for the game and have an eagerness to learn. Kyla's background includes playing and lettering in volleyball, basketball and track at Valley Center High School, near Wichita, KS. She attended the University of Kansas and graduated with a Journalism degree, which brought her to work for a sports magazine in Dallas. When arriving in Dallas in 2002, she also started coaching in her spare time. After marrying her husband, Mike, in 2007, she decided to take her passion for coaching volleyball full-time. In 2008 she was the Assistant Varsity/JV volleyball coach at Prestonwood Christian Academy and in 2009 was the Assistant Varsity volleyball coach at Trinity Christian Academy. Kyla also coached for Team PSA for 3 seasons, prior to joining the VICTORY staff. Kyla enjoys spending time with her family when she's not on the court. Kyla and her husband, Mike, welcomed their first daughter, Libby, in December 2009. She is such a fun little girl who brings them lots of joy! And now, Libby is excited to become a big sister in mid-September! Kyla also has two step-children, Cy and Chloe, who make their family complete. Kyla is IMPACT certified and completed the Gold Medal Squared clinic led by USA Olympic National Team Coach, Carl McGown, along with many other top college coaches. |  | | | Will Janney 12 Elite Black Assistant Coach This is Will’s 2nd season coaching with Victory. Will first picked up volleyball from his sister who played varsity at Lake Highlands. Ever since then he has loved the sport. After high school, Will played club volleyball until he graduated from the Colorado School of Mines in 2007. Will has come back to his roots and has been active in Dallas area volleyball. He recently competing in two USAV Nationals and enjoys spending the summer playing sand volleyball. |  | | | |
Karen Wright
12 Elite Green Head Coach Karen Wright is in her 9th season with Victory. She has served as head coach of both elite and select teams in the 13's and 14's age divisions and assisted with 12's and 17's. Currently, Karen is in her 7th season as head varsity volleyball coach at Trinity Christian Academy. In 2007, the team was named TAPPS 6A State Champions and Karen received TAPPS 1-6A Coach of the Year. This makes the second year to make it to the State Finals having taken second place in 2006. Karen was also named District Coach of the Year in 2005, 2006, and 2007. Karen attended Richardson High School, where she was the setter on the varsity volleyball team for three years. She received All-District honors in both her junior and senior year. She also won best setter and best server awards. After graduating from Richardson High School, Karen received a volleyball scholarship to Ouachita Baptist University (Division II Lone Star Conference), where she was a setter and defensive specialist. Karen received awards for Christian leadership during her junior and senior years, and she also received the Jerry Forehand Award in her final year. During her last semester in college, she also competed on the swim team as a diver. Karen graduated in May 2001 with a degree in graphic design and a minor in physical education. After graduation, Karen married Ben Wright, whom she had met at Ouachita Baptist during her freshman year. Karen and Ben had a baby girl in October of 2009 and named her Hallie Ann. Karen is enjoying staying at home with Hallie and coaching at Trinity in the evening. She also is a freelance graphic design artist. |  |
| | | Ashlee Horvath 12 Elite Green Assistant Coach
This is Ashlee's first season coaching for Victory. Ashlee is a Victory Alumni and has played the last two seasons for North Texas. |  | | | |
Stephen Collins
13 Elite Black Head Coach Position Training Coordinator Stephen is in his 3rd year coaching for Victory. He started playing volleyball in 7th grade overseas. In 8th grade he played on the high school JV and in 9th grade played Varsity. After returning to the US, he attended Ouachita Baptist University, playing on the practice squad against the women's team. Now back in Dallas, he started playing competitive USAV and has been playing for the past 6 years. Stephen has also competed for the last 3 years in competitive beach volleyball (CUSVA). Stephen coached for Excel 16s in 2009, 12 Elite and 15 Elite for Victory in 2010, and was the Head Coach of the TCA 8th grade team. He is currently the Varsity Assistant coach at TCA. |  | | | | Kate Harrison
13 Elite Black
Assistant Coach
Kate Harrison is a senior at TWU and majoring in kinesiology. While attending TWU Kate played volleyball for the Pioneers. She was a setter/ right side. She played two years at North Central Texas College where she earned First Team All-Region and First Team All-Conference honors both seasons. She was named the 2009 NTJCAC Co-MVP and 2008 NTJCAC Newcomer of the Year and selected to the 2009 NTJCAC All-Academic Team. She played volleyball at Billy Ryan High School, where she was named the 2006 District 5-4A Setter of the Year and selected the 2007 All-Area Co-Offensive Player of the Year. She also earned All-District 5-4A First Team honors in 2007. Kate helped lead the team to Region I Quarterfinals in 2006 and 2007. Kate played club volleyball at Dallas Force from 2005-06 and at Victory VBC from 2007-08 for Erin Hellmuth (TVA Director). She currently coaches with Texas Volleyball Academy out of Coppell, which focuses on developing young athletes interested in learning to play
Fun Facts: The three things that she always has with her are: her phone, her smile, and her chapstick! |  | | | | Brett Swendig
13 Elite Green Head Coach Beach Program Coordinator This is Brett Swendig’s second year as a coach at Victory. After receiving his Master’s in Public Service and Administration from Texas A&M University in May, he has moved back to his hometown of Dallas. Brett played club volleyball at Texas A&M University as a Middle Blocker and Outside Hitter winning four conference championships, four 1st Team All-Conference selections, and one Most Valuable Player award. After receiving an undergraduate degree in Sport Management, Brett spent the summer at USA Volleyball in Colorado Springs where, among other things, he coached the beach session of the Boy’s High Performance camps, assisted with the training of the USA Women’s Paralympic Sitting Volleyball team, and was a skill demonstrator for the CAP program. The next fall Brett was the Volunteer Assistant Coach with Texas A&M University’s women’s volleyball team. He then spent the next two years as an Americorps VISTA on the Navajo Nation reservation. In his free time there Brett coached high school volleyball and boys’ basketball, junior high club volleyball teams, and youth baseball and softball. He has also created and directed a summer volleyball camp the past four years for different areas of the reservation using current and former collegiate athletes. After completion of his term of service with the Americorps, Brett returned to graduate school where he continued working with the Texas A&M women’s program as a practice player and camp coach. After graduating with his Master’s degree Brett spent a few weeks in Poland teaching sports to youth before spending another few weeks overseas in Spain trying out for pro volleyball teams across Europe.
Brett still continues to play volleyball at a high level, competing in the open division at the USA Volleyball National Championships. He is the Junior Varsity coach at Parish Episcopal High School and runs the beach volleyball program for Victory in the summer. He is also a member of the American Volleyball Coaches Association and the National Strength & Conditioning Association. Brett enjoys being a student of the game and continuing his growth as a coach. He has participated in both USA Volleyball's indoor and beach Coaching Accreditation Programs (CAP) as well us other coaches trainings including Gold Medal Squared. He has been fortunate to have had a number of mentors in the past including John Kessel of USA Volleyball, Olympic coaches Hugh McCutcheon and Bill Neville, and John and Laurie Corbelli of Texas A&M. He is excited to add to the list this season with the University of Wisconsin head coach Pete Waite serving as a mentor during the 2011 season. Favorite Bible Verse See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than Christ." -Colossians 2:8 |  | | | |
|  | | | | Monica Snider 13 Elite Green 2nd Assistant Coach Monica is beginning her second year with Victory. Monica played on the Varsity team for Hebron High School for 3 seasons. During 2004 her team was the 4A state champions and in 2005 they were the 4A State runner ups. She played for various DFW clubs and received the best defensive award for her 18’s year. Monica recently graduated from TWU with a B.S. in Food Science and Nutrition. Monica currently works for AmWINS Brokerage of Texas. |  | | | | Chanda Ford 13 Select Head Coach
Chanda has been coaching volleyball for almost ten years and has coached at every level. She has coached boys and girls high school, girls club and men’s and women’s collegiate volleyball. She has also traveled the United States coaching volleyball clinics and camps. She just recently joined us from coaching club volleyball in Phoenix, AZ – she coached at both AZ Sky and AZ Desert Sky. Chanda played high school, club and collegiate volleyball and also did two oversea missions trips while playing volleyball. Chanda’s favorite scripture verse is Matthew 6:34 “do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” |  | | | Mike Kistner
13 Select
Head Coach
Michael is starting his 2nd year as a coach at Victory, and his first year as the coach of the 12s Elite Green Team. He has coached volleyball for 9 years at Bishop Dunne High School, three as varsity coach. Currently, he is the Volleyball Consultant for the Lady Falcons. In addition to volleyball, Michael has coached softball, baseball, basketball, tennis and track. He played intramural volleyball at UTA, where he graduated in 1987. Michael graduated from Lake Highlands High School, finished his Bachelors degree at UTA and his Masters Degree at UNT. |  | | | | | | | | Adam Cornell
14 Elite Black
Head Coach
Leadership TeamCurrent: Richardson High School Varsity Volleyball Previous : 2005-07: A&M Consolidated High School Varsity Volleyball (85-34) Play0offs 3 years in a row. 3rd round finish this season (farthest in school history). A&M Consolidated High School Varsity Track Assistant 2004:Westside High School Varsity Volleyball, Assistant Track and Field 2002-03: South Grand Prairie HS Junior Varsity/Varsity Assistant-2yr, Freshman boys/girls Basketball 2001: Covenant Christian Academy Varsity-1yr 1999:West Lafayette HS (Indiana) Varsity Track, McCutcheon HS (Indiana) Varsity/JV Football Club Experience: TNT: 1st year (16's)local - 2nd year (16's) semi-travel- 3rd year (17’s) National Team TEXAS TORNADOS: 16’s 3rd National (3 years), 15’s 3rd National Private Lessons / Camps: South Grand Prairie High School, Westside High School, Debbie Sokol Camps (Houston, TX)Texas Tech University, Texas A&M University, Texas Tornados, Purdue University, Butler University, NIKE Volleyball Camps College: Purdue University Track and Field (4yrs) Athletic Honors: Purdue: MV Runner Track –2 years, Captain one year High School Experience: Indiana: All-state honors football 2 yrs, Indiana North/South All-star participant; All-state basketball-1 yr; All-state track 4 yrs |  | | | | Becky Ellis 14 Elite Black Assistant Coach This is Becky's 4th year with Victory! In previous years, she assisted with 15 Elite and 16 Elite alongside Adam Cornell, coached 13's and 14's, as well as coached the JV team at ESD. This is her first year as the Varsity assistant at Parish Episcopal School.
Becky grew up in Richardson, Texas and began her club experience with Victory in 1999, continuing on to play 6 years of club. In high school, Becky set for her varsity team and received the MVP award in 2004 from Trinity Christian Academy. Becky then went on to attend Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas with both academic and athletic scholarships. At OBU, she started as Libero all 4 years and was captain of the team for her last 2 years. She received the Defensive Player of the Year award all 4 years as well.
Becky is very excited to be back at Victory this year. She has a love for kids and enjoys being able to have volleyball as a common ground between any age. She finds true joy in being able to mentor to the girls on and off the court.
"Always be joyful. Pray without ceasing. Be thankful in all circumstances."
I Thiess 5:16
|  | | | | Karen Wright 14 Elite Green Head Coach Karen Wright is in her 9th season with Victory. She has served as head coach of both elite and select teams in the 13's and 14's age divisions and assisted with 12's and 17's. Currently, Karen is in her 7th season as head varsity volleyball coach at Trinity Christian Academy. In 2007, the team was named TAPPS 6A State Champions and Karen received TAPPS 1-6A Coach of the Year. This makes the second year to make it to the State Finals having taken second place in 2006. Karen was also named District Coach of the Year in 2005, 2006, and 2007. Karen attended Richardson High School, where she was the setter on the varsity volleyball team for three years. She received All-District honors in both her junior and senior year. She also won best setter and best server awards. After graduating from Richardson High School, Karen received a volleyball scholarship to Ouachita Baptist University (Division II Lone Star Conference), where she was a setter and defensive specialist. Karen received awards for Christian leadership during her junior and senior years, and she also received the Jerry Forehand Award in her final year. During her last semester in college, she also competed on the swim team as a diver. Karen graduated in May 2001 with a degree in graphic design and a minor in physical education. After graduation, Karen married Ben Wright, whom she had met at Ouachita Baptist during her freshman year. Karen and Ben had a baby girl in October of 2009 and named her Hallie Ann. Karen is enjoying staying at home with Hallie and coaching at Trinity in the evening. She also is a freelance graphic design artist. | | | | | Hannah McGinnis
14 Elite Green
Assistant Coach
Hannah grew up in Fairview, Texas and started playing club in 1998 as a twelve year old during Victory's first season. She continued playing club for 7 seasons with different teams. Hannah played middle blocker and outside hitter for Trinity Christian Academy and was named MVP in 2002 and 2004. She was a captain for two years (one year with Becky Ellis), All-District for three years, and was named 1st team All-State and District MVP as a senior. After graduation, Hannah attended Wheaton College in Illinois. She played middle blocker and was a starter each year. She was named Co-Offensive MVP in 2005 and Most Inspirational Player in 2008. She served as a chaplain of the Thunder volleyball team in 2006 and as captain in 2008. In addition, she set school records in blocking and service aces as well as leading her conference in both skills. Hannah graduated from Wheaton in 2009 with a degree in English and subsequently packed up her life, drove to San Diego to put her car on a boat, and moved to Hawaii where she spent the past two years teaching high school English and Communication Skills at Hawaii Baptist Academy in Honolulu. She moved back to Texas in August in order to pursue writing for a time, and while she misses the island and her Hawaiian life, she knows God has great plans for her life in Dallas as well. Hannah loves working with kids—whether as a camp counselor, teacher, or coach—and she is passionate about seeing them learn and grow, both on and off the volleyball court. While in college, Hannah was a roaming coach for a season and the head coach of a 14s team for a season with Illinois Heat Volleyball Club. She is excited to be back at Victory (where her club volleyball career began) and for the opportunity of working with kids and pouring into their lives. Her favorite verses are Psalm 25:4-5: "Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me. For You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long." |  | | | | | | | | . Tony served as the Physical Conditioning/Testing Coordinator, as the 15-18 Age Group Coordinator, and has been involved with Victory Academy and GetzFit programs. Tony led the Victory Beach Program during the first two seasons. The beach teams in our 12-16 age groups compiled 5 tournament wins, and 7 2nd/3rd place finishes. 2 teams qualified for the USAV Beach Nationals. He also servers as the Recruiting Coordinator for the 15s-18s teams. Tony is IMPACT, USAV CAP I, and USA Volleyball Conditioning Specialist (VCAP/VCS) certified. He also completed the Gold Medal Squared clinic Lvl I/II led by USA Olympic National Team Assistant Coach Carl McGown, Men's Olympic Coa ch Doug Beal, and Olympic Head Coach Marv Dunphy. He is a member of the USAV, Kids Sports Network, and AVCA. Tony and his wife co-founded PVS and run volleyball specific conditioning/agility clinics, as well as skill/position camps throughout the year. He played volleyball as a setter for the Texas A&M Men's Club Volleyball Team. Upon graduation Tony eventually settled back in the North Dallas area and coached men's USAV prior to joining Victory. His favorite verse: "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13 . |  | | | | Mattie Pearce
15 Elite Black
Assistant Coach
Business Manager
Mattie Pearce recently graduated from The University of North Texas majoring in Early Childhood Education. She graduated from Hebron High School in Carrollton, TX in 2006. Mattie was a member of the 2004 4A State Championship Varsity Volleyball team, and the 2005 4A Runner-Up State team. She then went on to play volleyball at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, Oklahoma from 2006-2007. The following year she transferred to The University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Georgia. In 2008 her team won the Gulf South Conference and went onto the NCAA Division 2 Regionals. Mattie has attended Bent Tree Bible Fellowship since her and her family moved to Texas 18 years ago from Colorado. Throughout middle school and high school she was very involved in the youth group and their mission trips. She has been on mission trips to Tennessee, New Mexico, Alaska, Honduras, Costa Rica, and was fortunate to co-lead a team of high school students to New Orleans, Louisiana in 2009. She also had the wonderful opportunity to go to Uganda for two weeks in 2010 on a missions trip with an adult team from her church. Mattie has a passion to serve others, especially those in need and would love for missions to be part of her future. Family is very important to her and they have been such an important part of her life and such an encouragement throughout her volleyball career. Her father’s name is Mark and her mothers name is Marganne and she has an older brother named Shane. Mattie has been involved with volleyball since she was 8 years old and played for Victory VBC her 16's and 17's years and is very happy to be back with the organization as a coach. This is her third year coaching for Victory. |  | | | | Monica Snider 15 Elite Black 2nd Assistant Coach Monica is beginning her second year with Victory. Monica played on the Varsity team for Hebron High School for 3 seasons. During 2004 her team was the 4A state champions and in 2005 they were the 4A State runner ups. She played for various DFW clubs and received the best defensive award for her 18’s year. Monica recently graduated from TWU with a B.S. in Food Science and Nutrition. Monica currently works for AmWINS Brokerage of Texas. | | | | | Stephanie Poole 15 Elite Green Head Coach Stephanie is entering her 12th year coaching competitive volleyball. This will be her first year as JV volleyball coach at Highland Park High School, after a successful three-year stint coaching at Waxahachie High School. Stephanie is a graduate of Highland Park High School (’99). She earned a volleyball & softball scholarship to NCAA Division II Wingate University, in North Carolina, where in 2001 she was awarded the SAAC “Player of the Year”. That season, she also earned recognition on the Verizon Academic All-District team as well as Daktronics NCAA Division II All-South Region 1st team. After her junior season, Stephanie transferred to and earned her B.A. from Southern Methodist University. In 2004, Stephanie served as the varsity assistant coach for Bishop Lynch High School. The team won the TAAPS 5A State Championship. Stephanie has a strong passion for coaching volleyball and helping young athletes as they pursue their goals. She is excited to coach for Victory this coming season. |  | Kristen Petrasic 15 Elite Green Assistant Coach Kristen is a Victory Club alumni, entering her second year coaching for Victory. Kristen also coaches a local young players development program in Denton. Kristen played for three years at University of Central Florida as their Libero, before transferring to the University of North Texas, playing for the Meangreen her senior year. As a junior at UCF, Petrasic ranked fifth at Central Florida in digs with 165, tallied just 10 reception errors in 267 attempts, with a .963 serve receive percentage. In 2008, she posted a 1.99 digs per set average (171 overall), had individual matches of 31 digs against Jacksonville and 25 digs versus Penn, and racked up a stellar freshman campaign with 299 digs and 31 service aces in 32 matches At Creekview High School Kristen was a three-time 10-5A First-Team All-District selection, and was an honorable mention All-District honoree as a freshman, named the 10-5A Hitter of the Year in 2005, and lettered in track and basketball, where she earned all-district recognition her senior year. Kristen played for Victory for 6 years. Her team qualified for Nationals every year, and their team won a Bronze Medal finishing 3rd place her 16s year at the Jr. Olympic National Tournament.
Kristen continues to play USAV and Beach volleyball in addition to continuing her education in art design and graphics. |  | | | | | | | | Dave Phillip is entering his 5th season with Victory. Dave returns to the Victory staff with his new job as Varsity coach at Parish Epsicopal School of Dallas. He does retain his knowledge of previous 3 college seasons with Arkansas and SMU, 9 years of club and 5 years of high school coaching experience. Dave was in the class of 2001 from Texas A&M University with a double BBA in Management Information Systems and Logistics. At A&M, Dave played on the Men's Club Volleyball team and assisted coaching with the women's club team. Dave played both setter and libero and also served as team captain. He continues to play locally whenever and wherever he can.
His volleyball coaching experience includes: University of Arkansas assistant, Ozark Volleyball Club in Fayetteville Arkansas Director and head 17's coach, Texas A&M summer volleyball camps (since 2001), Head coach for various club teams in the North Texas Region for past 4 years coaching 12s, 16s, 17s and 18s, and in 2003 became the Head Varsity Volleyball Coach for The Hockaday Private School. Assisted the SMU volleyball program as he completed his Master degree in Kinesiology in December 2009. Currently, Dave works full time at Parish Episcopal School as a Physical Education Teacher and Varsity volleyball coach.
Dave grew up in San Antonio, TX. During his high school years Dave played football, basketball, track, tennis and golf. Currently, in his free time, Dave enjoys playing indoor or outdoor volleyball! |  | | | | Meredith McLean
16 Elite Black
Assistant Coach
This is Meredith’s third season coaching with Victory. She helped coached Victory beach volleyball this last summer. She is also the Varsity volleyball coach at Texoma Christian School in Sherman, TX. She played at Dallas Summit for 4 years, and previously coached at Texas Assault for 2 seasons. Meredith graduated from Dallas Christian in 2008, where she played 3 years at the varsity level. As a 2-yr. team captain, she earned 1st Team All District, All State Honorable Mention, Newcomer of the Year, and MVP honors. She coached 1st through 8th grade girls at DC volleyball camps for 4 summers. Meredith also worked Hutch Volleyball Camps the past 4 summers and has been the co-director of Hutch Camp the last two years. She conducts private lessons through Hutch Volleyball. Meredith’s hopes of competing at the collegiate level were altered due to two significant knee injuries, but it became a blessing in disguise because it led her to Dallas Baptist University. She graduated this past August with a Bachelor of Science in Christian Studies and Kinesiology. Her favorite verse is Luke 18:27 “Jesus replied, ‘What is impossible with men is possible with God.’” |  | | | | Amber Montague
16 Elite Green
Head Coach
Amber grew up in Plano, Texas loving a variety of sports including gymnastics, track and field, and volleyball. She settled on volleyball after her first school year and eventually lettered at Plano Senior High School in 2000. She was also named, Team MVP in 2000, as well as the All-District 5A Team. While playing club volleyball for North Dallas Juniors she was named part of the North Texas All-Star Team in 1999.
She earned a full scholarship to play at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. She started all four years and earned her membership into the 1,000 Career Kill and Digs Club. In 2003 she was named her Team's MVP and was also named to the All-Southern Conference Second Team. After she graduated, with a B.A. in Political Science, she started to pursue coaching at Lakeview Academy in Gainesville, Georgia and Vertical One Volleyball Club. She moved back to Texas to be closer to her family, and has coached four years of club volleyball since graduating. She is very excited to start a new year with Victory! Amber is currently trying to work her way into activity coordinating with community health and recreation centers. One of Amber's favorite quotes is from John Wooden, "Sports do not build character. They reveal it." |  | | | | Jena Thiem
16 Elite Green Assistant Coach Jena Thiem is originally from Omaha, Nebraska. Wanting to follow in her mother’s footsteps, an all- American setter at Doane in Crete Nebraska, Jena began her volleyball career in the 5th grade for Texas Image (3 years) and Texas Juniors DFW (1 year) before high school. Her family then moved back to Omaha where she played all four years at Skutt Catholic. She also continued playing club for Nebraska Elite and Omaha Premier. After graduating high school, she attended University of Dallas and played volleyball as a setter/ DS for her first two years. She is now focusing on school for her last two years, and coaching her thrid club season for Victory. Jena has three younger sisters and her parents who still reside in Omaha. |  | | | | |  | | | | Liz Powell 16 Select Assistant Coach 13s-15s Technical Assistant Liz Powell is entering her third season with Victory. Liz is currently the head middle school volleyball coach and assistant varsity volleyball coach at Carrollton Christian Academy. She also coaches varsity track and field and strength and conditioning at CCA. She serves as the College and Academic Advisor for CCA and teaches College Prep for Juniors and Seniors. Liz grew up in New Braunfels, TX and is a graduate of Dallas Baptist University where she received a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sports Management and a minor in Marketing. She is currently completing her Masters in Sports Management from Liberty University. James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” 1 Corinthians 10: 31 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” |  | | | | | | | |
Carissa Dawson is entering her second year coaching at Victory Volleyball Club. In addition to coaching Victory's 18 Elite for the 2010-2011 season, Dawson was an assistant coach for the 2010 Sunbelt West Division Champion Team at University of North Texas. A California native, she began teaching and coaching collegiate athletes as a member of the adjunct faculty at Biola University in La Mirada, CA. Dawson served as the varsity head coach at Westminster High School in Westminster, Calif in 2009. She has also coached for the Surf City Volleyball Club in Huntington Beach. Dawson has worked numerous camps and clinics in her career, and even has experience in the Lone Star State. She was a member of the coaching staff at the 2002 Texas State Volleyball Camp in San Marcos. Dawson has an extensive playing career that included a trip to the NAIA Final Four. She was a 2003 NAIA Academic All-American at Biola University, and was a catalyst behind the Eagles’ run to the NAIA National Semifinals. Dawson’s 2003 squad still holds the school single-season records for kills, digs, aces, assists and serve percentage.
No stranger to academic accolades, Dawson made the National Dean’s List in 2003 and 2004, and was a member of the Biola Dean’s List from 2002-04. Dawson started her collegiate career at Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA, where she earned 2001 academic all-conference honors. She also played four years at Pleasant Valley High School, and six years for Club Chico Juniors Volleyball Club. Dawson graduated Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from Biola in 2004, and earned her master’s degree of philosophy of religion and ethics from the Talbot School of Theology at Biola in 2006. She is married to David Dawson and has a daughter, Halle'ana. Favorite Verse: " Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heaveanward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14 |  | | | | Jessie Ayers
17 Elite Black
Assistant Coach
Jessie is a former Victory player returning to coach with the club. She played with Victory for 6 years. Her team qualified for Junior Olympics every year, and she received the JO's All-Tournament team award the year they took 3rd place. Jessie graduated from Plano East Senior High, where she played on the varsity team all four years. While at Plano East, she earned All-District honors and was named MVP by her teammates her junior and senior seasons.
Jessie then attended and played volleyball for the University of Tulsa for two seasons. Her freshman year they won the conference championship and made it to the NCAA tournament for the first time in the program's history. She then transferred to Texas A&M to finish her education and started coaching for Brazos Valley Juniors in College Station. She was the 14 Navy head coach for two club seasons at Brazos Valley. Currently, she is the varsity assistant and JV head coach at Brazos Christian School while she works to graduate in December with a degree in Agribusiness. Outside of volleyball, Jessie enjoys being with her family, going to movies and spending time outside. |  | | | | | | | | Brett Swendig
18 Elite Black Head Coach Beach Program Coordinator This is Brett Swendig’s second year as a coach at Victory. After receiving his Master’s in Public Service and Administration from Texas A&M University in May, he has moved back to his hometown of Dallas. Brett played club volleyball at Texas A&M University as a Middle Blocker and Outside Hitter winning four conference championships, four 1st Team All-Conference selections, and one Most Valuable Player award. After receiving an undergraduate degree in Sport Management, Brett spent the summer at USA Volleyball in Colorado Springs where, among other things, he coached the beach session of the Boy’s High Performance camps, assisted with the training of the USA Women’s Paralympic Sitting Volleyball team, and was a skill demonstrator for the CAP program. The next fall Brett was the Volunteer Assistant Coach with Texas A&M University’s women’s volleyball team. He then spent the next two years as an Americorps VISTA on the Navajo Nation reservation. In his free time there Brett coached high school volleyball and boys’ basketball, junior high club volleyball teams, and youth baseball and softball. He has also created and directed a summer volleyball camp the past four years for different areas of the reservation using current and former collegiate athletes. After completion of his term of service with the Americorps, Brett returned to graduate school where he continued working with the Texas A&M women’s program as a practice player and camp coach. After graduating with his Master’s degree Brett spent a few weeks in Poland teaching sports to youth before spending another few weeks overseas in Spain trying out for pro volleyball teams across Europe.
Brett still continues to play volleyball at a high level, competing in the open division at the USA Volleyball National Championships. He is the Junior Varsity coach at Parish Episcopal High School and runs the beach volleyball program for Victory in the summer. He is also a member of the American Volleyball Coaches Association and the National Strength & Conditioning Association. Brett enjoys being a student of the game and continuing his growth as a coach. He has participated in both USA Volleyball's indoor and beach Coaching Accreditation Programs (CAP) as well us other coaches trainings including Gold Medal Squared. He has been fortunate to have had a number of mentors in the past including John Kessel of USA Volleyball, Olympic coaches Hugh McCutcheon and Bill Neville, and John and Laurie Corbelli of Texas A&M. He is excited to add to the list this season with the University of Wisconsin head coach Pete Waite serving as a mentor during the 2011 season. Favorite Bible Verse See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than Christ." -Colossians 2:8 | | | | | Joe is involved with the adult volleyball community in North Texas and frequently plays in the regional tournaments – both indoor and outdoor. After primarily playing Right Side at A&M, Joe’s main position is Libero; but, he has also played Middle and OH quite extensively. This broad background will enable Joe to assist from any spot on the court. Joe graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in Human Resource Development and is currently a Director of Market Analysis at an Executive Search Firm based in Dallas. Favorite Bible Verse: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) |  | | | | | Jordan Grantham
Roamer Coach
This is Jordan Grantham (Bostic) third season with Victory. Jordan played for New Mexico State University from 2004-2007, where she was a three-year starter at defensive specialist. Her senior year she was named to the 2007 ESPN The Magazine Academic All American Team and to the National Strength and Conditioning All American Team. While playing for NMSU, she helped coach the 15s and 14s for Diamondback Volleyball Club. Jordan was raised in Florida but moved to El Paso for high school, where she played for El Paso Franklin. As a senior she was named First Team 1-5A All State by the Texas Sports Writers Association and the Texas Girls Coaches Association. She was the El Paso Times All City MVP in 2003 and 2004 and played in the Texas All Star Game in 2004. Jordan works as an Editorial and Design Specialist for the National Athletic Trainers' Association in Dallas and is finishing her Master's in Journalism at the University of North Texas in December 2009. She is thrilled to be part of a club that incorporates Christian values into her favorite sport! Her favorite bible verses are: 1 John 3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. Luke 14:11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted. Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation-- whom should I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid? |  | | | | | | | | | | |
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