EXECUTIVE STAFF
Jim Ross
Leslie Ray
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JIM ROSS - CLUB PARTNER / COLLEGE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Jim enters his 9th year with Xceleration and his 2nd as a Club Partner, along with 18Blue coaches Andy Schroeder and Jeremy Swann. He began his involvement with Xceleration as a volleyball parent during his daughters’ participation in club volleyball. His initial role was the establishment of the club’s College Development Program that helps athletes navigate through the often-daunting world of college athletic recruiting. That program currently has over 400 coaches and programs in its database and is nationally recognized for its role. He picked up the additional role of Xceleration’s Club Director in 2009 to handle the day-to-day operations of the club that included planning, administration, and managing the teams and coaching staff. During that time Xceleration has doubled in size from 6 to 12 teams. He handed off that role last season to director Shannon Kussman and now to Leslie Ray. LESLIE RAY - CLUB DIRECTOR As the Club Director for the 2017-2018 season, Leslie Ray is responsible for all operational activities and needs of the club, including management of the support and coaching staff, finance, and detailed tournament, practice, and travel planning. Leslie also has a dual role as the head coach of the 17Blue. |
COACHING STAFF
Much of what makes up our club is the result of our tremendous coaching staff. They are skilled volleyball players and coaches who are trained by the Xceleration staff in the methods that we want them to develop in our players. In addition, we make sure to only employ coaches that are being good role models on and off the court. We have very high standards for our staff that ensures that your daughters are being taught good life lessons both in and out of competition.
There is more to being a good coach than just an extensive knowledge of the game – you also have to be able to teach the girls how to effectively identify and work towards goals. We make sure to have coaches that not only preach it, they live their own lives by it.
There is more to being a good coach than just an extensive knowledge of the game – you also have to be able to teach the girls how to effectively identify and work towards goals. We make sure to have coaches that not only preach it, they live their own lives by it.
Andy Schroeder
Jeremy Swann
Paul Harrison
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ANDY SCHROEDER - CLUB PARTNER / COACHING DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR / CO-HEAD COACH 18BLUE
Andy is entering his 11th year with Xceleration and 14th year as a club volleyball Head Coach. Prior to joining Xceleration, Andy spent four seasons coaching at Odyssey VBC and NorCal. As a player, Andy played D-1 volleyball for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He was an AA-ranked beach volleyball player and, in 2007 was voted into the Seaside Beach Volleyball Hall of Fame. In 2015, Andy was named a finalist for the PrepVolleyball.com National Club Coach of the Year. JEREMY SWANN - CLUB PARTNER / CO-HEAD COACH 18BLUE Jeremy returns for his 10th season at Xceleration and is entering his 14th season of coaching junior girls’ volleyball. Jeremy will also serve as head coach of the 12Blue team this season with Gayle Swann. Pror to joining Xceleration, Jeremy spent two seasons at Odyssey VBC. Jeremy was the Head Coach at Monte Vista HS in Danville for two seasons and led his teams to North Coast Section (NCS) appearances each season. Jeremy played volleyball at St. Mary's College in Moraga and soccer at Cal State East Bay in Hayward. Andy and Jeremy have been coaching together for more than 10 years. In the last eight years, they have been coaching Xceleration’s 18Blue teams and their teams have consistently qualified for the USA Volleyball (USAV) Junior National Championships, with three teams finishing in the Top 5 in 2010, 2012, and 2013. Over the same time period, more than 110 of their former players have gone on to play collegiately, including 42 former Xceleration athletes who are currently on college volleyball rosters. PAUL HARRISON – CO-COLLEGE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR / PRACTICE COACH Paul returns to the coaching corps with the 18Blue in addition to his involvement with Xceleration’s CD Program since 2009, where he prides in the joy of seeing Xceleration players reach their potential and achieve tremendous success throughout the years. His current duties with Xceleration are ways for Paul to give back to the club that has helped shape the lives of many young volleyball athletes, including his own. |
Ramond Carreon
Morgan Borch
Christian Carreon
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RAMOND CARRERON – HEAD COACH 18WHITE
Pittsburg native Ramond Carreon enters his first year of coaching with Xceleration and will serve as head coach of the 18White. Ramond was a four-year letterman at De Anza HS in Richmond where he played opposite, outside, and setter. There he earned several awards including 2nd Team and 1st Team All-League selections. Ramond has been playing volleyball in the Bay Area community for over 16 years. Ramond has served as an assistant for the girl’s varsity team at Calvary Christian HS, and both as an assistant and head coach for the boy’s varsity and junior varsity teams at De Anza. From 2014 through last season, he was a 14s head coach at Club Solano, 18s Premiere head coach at Bay Area VBC, and 16s Premiere assistant also for Bay Area VBC. Ramond enjoys seeing the players’ skills improve as they become better and more confident volleyball players. He also likes sharing his love for the game and passing on the lessons that he has learned over time. MORGAN BORCH – ASSOCIATE COACH 18WHITE Morgan is in her 2nd year of coaching at Xceleration. Morgan’s first season was spent as an assistant to 16Blue. She was a four-year varsity letterman at Las Lomas HS in Walnut Creek where she earned 1st Team All-League honors in her senior year. Morgan played club for Xceleration for three years before spending one season as the starting outside hitter for UC Davis. Morgan is currently working to earn an English degree to become a teacher. Morgan’s goal is to bring her positive coaching style to ensure her teams can continue to have a strong love for the game. Morgan is still actively playing in local tournaments and has won multiple local volleyball tournaments, including grass and SF AIM tournaments. Morgan enjoys coaching future athletes. CHRISTIAN CARRERON – ASSOCIATE COACH 18WHITE Christian enters his first year of coaching with Xceleration. Christian was a four-year letterman at De Anza HS. He was a setter and later transitioned to the outside position for the Dons during his prep career where he earned TCAL 1st Team All-League. Christian is an active participant in local tournaments around the Bay Area and has won multiple local tournaments and awards, including NAGVA All-Star medals. Christian coached three seasons as an assistant at Bay Area VBC. Christian enjoys coaching because he gets an opportunity to be a part of the journey of team development. |
Leslie Ray
Lindsey Ray
Jade Sanford
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LESLIE RAY – HEAD COACH 17BLUE
Leslie returns to Xceleration for her 5th season with the Club. Leslie is also in her 5th season as an assistant coach at Cal State East Bay (CSUEB). Leslie was a starting libero at CSUEB for two seasons before graduating with a degree in Child Development. Prior to CSUEB, she attended Golden West JC and prepped at Long Beach Poly HS, where she was a high school All-American. Leslie played six seasons of club volleyball with the prestigious Mizuno Long Beach VBC. A fierce competitor on the court, Leslie brings a love of the game to her coaching. She is an excellent student of the game and is able to convey both the skill and passion to her players. LINDSEY RAY – ASSOCIATE COACH 17BLUE Lindsey is back for her 5th season. Lindsey is currently playing for the CSUEB volleyball team after completing a celebrated high school career in Southern California at powerhouse Long Beach Poly. She capped her prep career in 2012 by being named “Long Beach Century Club Player of the Year” and “Long Beach Press Telegram All-Area Player of the Year” after leading Poly into the 3rd Round of the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State Championships. An exceptional talent, Lindsey is looking forward to teaching volleyball and working with Xceleration’s players in a sport she loves and is passionate about. JADE SANFORD – ASSOCIATE COACH 17BLUE Jade joins Xceleration for her 4th season with the club – all four seasons coaching with Leslie and Lindsey. Jade prepped at Skyline HS in Dallas, TX, where she was recruited by and attended South Carolina State University (SCSU). She earned Radford Conference All-Tournament honors in her first season at SCSU. Jade transferred to Cal State East Bay for her sophomore season, where she finished her career. She was a team captain and starting middle blocker her senior season. Jade is currently finishing her Masters degree in Sports Management from Texas A&M-College Station’s distance program. |
Daniel Pak
Brett Leggitt
Benny Nguyen
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DANIEL PAK – HEAD COACH 16BLUE
Daniel joins Xceleration for his 4th season. As a volleyball standout for De Anza HS in Richmond, Daniel was an All-League performer for four years, leading the Dons to their first NCS appearance along the way. Daniel returned to De Anza as the Head Volleyball Coach in 2010 and his arrival signaled an immediate turnaround for the program. Daniel also previously coached as an assistant for the Girls’ Varsity Volleyball team at Las Lomas HS in Walnut Creek. Still an avid NCVA Men’s Gold Division player, Daniel is excited continue with Xceleration’s program and impart his love and knowledge of the game to his players. BRETT LEGGITT – ASSOCIATE COACH 16BLUE Vacaville native Brett Leggitt enters his first year coaching with Xceleration. Growing up he played basketball and ran track at Canyon HS in New Braunfels, TX. He then attended Southwest Texas State University, now known as Texas State. After studying Agriculture Business, Brett later joined the U.S. Air Force the day the U.S. invaded Iraq during the first Gulf War and spent four years on active duty, and another six years as an active member of the Reserves. He fell in love with the sport and learned to play while serving in the Air Force. He played middle for his squadron’s team. Brett joins the Xceleration staff with eight years of coaching experience. One year he served as the Head Coach of the freshman team at Vanden HS in Fairfield, CA. He has coached all levels for club. During the 2016 season, Brett remained actively involved in USA Volleyball. He has spent four years volunteering for the USA Volleyball High Performance National Team Tryouts, both Beach and Indoor. Most recently he served as an assistant coach for the USAV Girls Future Select High Performance Camp held this past summer at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Brett loves coaching it allows him to be a part of the lives of so many amazing young people. He enjoys seeing athletes succeed both on the court and off as they move on through the different phases of their lives which he finds rewarding. BENNY NGUYEN – ASSOCIATE COACH 16BLUE Benny Nguyen enters his fist year coaching with Xceleration. Benny was a four-year letterman at Mount Diablo HS in Concord, where he was a setter and right side hitter. He is a time 3-time 1st Team All-League selection in the Diablo Foothill Athletic League (DFAL). In 2006, he went to NCS and in 2008 was named the MVP of the league. He later moved on to play at Long Beach State in 2010. Benny loves to give back to the younger generation and the kids, because “I like teaching and making people smile.” |
Stephany Vanhorn
Aileen Tran
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STEPHANY VANHORN – HEAD COACH 16WHITE
Stephany is in her 2nd year of coaching at Xceleration. Stephany has been around the volleyball community for over 15 years, both as a player and as a coach. She was a four-year varsity letterman in high school at St. Joseph Notre Dame in Alameda where she earned 1st Team All-League honors. Stephany also played club volleyball for eight years at Club Kalani before attending Cal State East Bay (CSUEB). There she played for the Pioneers during her freshmen year as an Outside Hitter, a position that she has played in her entire volleyball career. Stephany is continuing to pursue an Accounting degree at CSUEB, while also serving as an assistant coach for an 8th grade AAU team. Stephany is still actively playing volleyball for adult leagues and she looks forward to keeping busy this season, teaching and coaching at Xceleration. AILEEN TRAN – ASSOCIATE COACH 16WHITE San Francisco native Aileen Tran enters her first year coaching with Xceleration. Aileen was a four-year letterman Abraham Lincoln HS in San Francisco as a libero. Aileen also played club for San Francisco Juniors before completing a Bachelors of Science degree in Health Sciences, with a concentration in Kinesiology from Merritt College. She is currently working towards earning a degree in the Physical Therapy Program at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). Aileen has coached two years of club for San Jose-based Fusion Volleyball Club. Aileen enjoys coaching because it allows her to do what she loves, while helping others advance personally and professionally. She finds it rewarding to be able to create an environment where both the coaches and players can get the best out of themselves and others. |
Lucas Abbott
Jade Santos
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LUCAS ABBOTT – HEAD COACH 15BLUE
Lucas returns for his 7th season with Xceleration and has coached or played volleyball for over 20 years. Lucas was a middle blocker and All-League performer at Las Lomas HS in Walnut Creek before heading off to play at Humboldt State University. While at Humboldt, he was the team’s starting middle blocker for four seasons and team captain his last two seasons, while leading the squad to Nationals twice. His playing career continued until 2013, culminating with a season playing professionally with the PVL/NCVA’s NorCal Premier. Lucas is currently Girls’ Varsity Head Coach at Berean Christian HS in Walnut Creek. Prior to Berean Christian HS, Lucas was the JV Head Coach at Acalanes HS in Lafayette and at Miramonte HS in Orinda. He has also served as the assistant coach for the PVL/NCVA Men’s NorCal Premier in previous seasons. Away from volleyball, Lucas has dedicated his career to youth development, which he incorporates into his coaching. He is the program director for a youth outreach program at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, called Boost@BerkeleyHaas. JADE SANTOS – ASSOCIATE COACH 15BLUE Jade returns to Xceleration for her 3rd season. Jade played for the club’s 18Blue team in 2012, when the team qualified for the USAV Junior Nationals and placed 5th in the country. Prior to joining Xceleration, Jade played five years of competitive volleyball for Endline VBC. She excelled at the Opposite and Defensive Specialist (DS) positions at Moreau HS in Hayward, earning 1st Team All-League honors from the Mission Valley Athletic Conference in her junior and senior seasons. Jade was named Moreau’s MVP and team captain in her senior year and was consistently on the Honor Roll. Jade was recruited from Xceleration to play DS at Dominican University of California in San Rafael before transferring to Orange, CA to set for Chapman University in 2014. Jade is a versatile athlete as she completed her collegiate career as the starting libero for the Panthers, leading the team in digs. Jade received a degree in Psychology from Chapman University in 2015. |
Salomon Leon
Taylor Patton
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SALOMON LEON – HEAD COACH 15WHITE
Salomon joins Xceleration for his first season. He was a four-year letterman at Ygnacio Valley HS in Concord. At Ygnacio he trained as a setter, outside, and libero. As a player he has earned Bronze at Boys Junior National Championships and MVP honors. He played club volleyball for PacRim Volleyball Club. Salomon has been coaching club for six years. He has coached at PacRim, Solano, and Core Volleyball Clubs. As a coach he has earned a bronze medal at nationals. Salomon loves to watch his athletes grow. He finds joy in the overall process of player development throughout the season. Salomon has a strong love for the game and wants to share this passion with his future team. TAYLOR PATTON – ASSOCIATE COACH 15WHITE Taylor joins Xceleration for her inaugural year with the club. She has played volleyball for four years at Northgate HS in Walnut Creek, followed by two years while she attended Diablo Valley College (DVC). Taylor has also coached for the Diablo Valley Volleyball Club and helps the DVC girls out at their practices. She has played all front row positions, but considers herself to be a true outside hitter. Taylor coached the 12s girls club team for Diablo and is big on fundamentals. What Taylor enjoys most is recognizing the potential in each player, bringing it out, and watching them grow. Taylor is passionate, enthusiastic, and devoted to the team. |
Mariah Christensen
Kayla Coleman
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MARIAH CHRISTENSEN – HEAD COACH 14BLUE
Mariah returns for her 7th season as a coach in the program and her 2nd as the head coach for the 14Blue. She previously assisted with the 14White, 15Blue, 16White, and 16Blue programs before becoming the Head Coach at 17Blue two seasons ago. After being the setter on the 2009 Xceleration 18Blue team that qualified for Junior Nationals in Miami, Mariah was recruited to play at Holy Names University (HNU) in Oakland. She was the team's starting setter for all four seasons and was an All-League selection in the PacWest Conference in her junior and senior seasons. Mariah is the all-time career leader in assists at Holy Names. Mariah attended Rodriquez HS in Fairfield, CA where she was an All-League selection and led her team to the San Joaquin Section playoffs in each season at the Varsity level. Mariah’s favorite inspirational quote is, “Don’t give up what you want most for what you want now.” KAYLA COLEMAN – ASSOCIATE COACH 14BLUE Kayla returns for her 8th season with Xceleration, having assisted with the 15Blue, 17White, and 13White teams during the past seven seasons. Kayla graduated from HNU where she was the starting libero for the volleyball team for three seasons. During her career at HNU, Kayla made the All-Conference team twice and was selected Libero of the Year in her senior season. The Turlock native was her league MVP for two years in high school. Kayla received her professional doctorate degree in pharmacy and is a registered pharmacist for Blue Shield. |
Natasha Gayle
Isabel Villalobos
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NATASHA GAYLE – HEAD COACH 14WHITE
Natasha returns for her 9th year with Xceleration after having previously coached at the 14s, 15s, and 18s levels. This will be her 4th straight season leading the 14White team. As a player, Natasha prepped at Holy Names HS in Oakland, where she was an all-league performer her last two seasons. She played club volleyball for Golden Bear, East Bay Connections, and City Beach. Her City Beach team won the Volleyball Festival in two of her years with the club. She went on to attend the University of Oregon, where she was a member of their nationally ranked club volleyball team. In her free time, Natasha spends time with family, reads, and is a HUGE Oregon Ducks fan. Her volleyball philosophy is to teach and work her players hard in skill development in a fun and healthy environment. ISABEL VILLALOBOS – ASSOCIATE COACH 14WHITE This will be Isabel’s first year of coaching with Xceleration. It will be her second year coaching after being a coach at St. Patrick-St. Vincent (SPSV) in Vallejo for the JV Boys team and the Diablo Valley 14s girls team. Isabel went to SPSV high school and played on Varsity all four years, making Tri-Counties Athletic League (TCAL) All-League for two years and also as the Vallejo Times Herald Athlete of the Week her senior year. She has played all positions on the court but has been a true outside hitter since the beginning of her volleyball career. She played at Xceleration her senior year on the 18White team as a captain. Isabel is in her sophomore year at Diablo Valley College and is captain of the volleyball team. Isabel is excited for this season. She truly enjoys coaching because she has a passion for volleyball and loves to see every player grow to become a great player, teammate, and family. |
Jade Sanford
Madison Borch
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JADE SANFORD – HEAD COACH 13BLUE
Jade joins Xceleration for her 4th season with the club and first as the head coach of the 13Blue. Jade prepped at Skyline HS in Dallas, TX, where she was recruited by and attended South Carolina State University (SCSU). She earned Radford Conference All-Tournament honors in her first season at SCSU. Jade transferred to Cal State East Bay for her sophomore season, where she finished her career. She was a team captain and starting middle blocker her senior season. Jade is currently finishing her Masters degree in Sports Management from Texas A&M-College Station’s distance program. MADISON BORCH– ASSOCIATE COACH 13BLUE Madison is entering her first year coaching with Xceleration. She was a four-year varsity letterman at Las Lomas HS in Walnut Creek . Madison also played club for Xceleration from 2008-2013 before competing for Cabrillo College in Aptos for two seasons. As the starting middle, the team captured a CCCAA State Championship title in 2013 and placed 2nd in 2014. Madison also participated in Cabrillo's first-ever sand volleyball team, and helped make it to the CCCAA State Championships for sand volleyball. After Cabrillo, she transferred to Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City, TN, where she contributed to the best overall record in school history (29-8) and participated in the Elite 8 at the NCAA Division II National Championships in 2015. Madison has previously coached 11U-14U at Lamorinda for one season of sand volleyball. Madison's favorite athlete is her club coach Andy Schroeder. Madison takes pride in helping kids achieve their goals on the court. She enjoys seeing her kids visibly improve while having fun doing it. |
Lauren Jones
Lindsey Parrott
Garret Jones
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LAUREN JONES – HEAD COACH 13WHITE
Lauren enters her 2nd season with Xceleration to lead the 13White, after coaching the 16Blue last season and after coaching the Vilseck HS in Bavaria, Germany, for two years. Prior to that she had over five years of experience coaching 14s-18s-level club teams for Joplin Extreme Juniors, South Central Spikers, and Ozark Juniors in Missouri. Travel volleyball also took Lauren overseas where she found herself coaching many elite volleyball camps the past seven years in Sweden, Netherlands, Italy, Germany, and the U.S. The Salem, MO native was a three-time 1st Team All-State, four-time 1st Team All-Region, and four-time 1st Team All-Conference recipient while in high school. Lauren continued her career playing club for Springfield Juniors and training under 1992 Olympic bronze medalist Lori Endicott. Lauren was recruited as a setter for Missouri Southern State University, and she later finished her collegiate career as an outside hitter for the Lions where her team finished 17th in the NCAA Tournament in her senior year. Lauren graduated Summa Cum Laude from Missouri Southern and was named as the Outstanding Graduate. Lauren continued her volleyball career playing five years internationally for Grafenwöhr Regionalliga Süd. She finished her last international career with a 32-6 record and was honored with the Bestern Spieler Regionalliga Award for the 2015/2016 season. Lauren also played in the AAA European Armed Forces Europe Women’s Tournament in 2010, 2011, and 2015, earning several tournament MVP awards. Lauren says, “Volleyball has been a true friend of mine. The sport has given much more back to me than I ever expected or probably deserve. I coach because I was lucky enough to cross paths with influential coaches who made me the successful player I am today and I want to return the knowledge back to this next generation of athletes.” LINDSEY PARROTT– ASSOCIATE COACH 13WHITE Lindsey enters her 2nd season with Xceleration after completing a year of coaching the Xcel 16Blue, the 16-1 team at Club Kalani, two years of leading the JV volleyball team at Realm Charter HS in Berkeley, and coaching many volleyball camps the past four summers. The Oakland, CA native also played for Golden Bear Volleyball Club and was a teammate of former Xceleration athletes at Bishop O’Dowd HS – Lacey Maas, Megan Kehoe, Molly Kennedy, and Mary Orbeta. The Dragons completed an undefeated league record in each of Lindsey’s four-year varsity career at O’Dowd. Lindsey was recruited to play for Cal as a setter, and she later finished her collegiate career as an outside hitter for the Bears. Lindsey went on to earn a BA in History at UC Berkeley, and is currently attending Mills College in Oakland to earn a teaching credential and an MA in Education to become a teacher in the East Bay. Lindsey said, “I love teaching, coaching, and being part of a team so I am very excited to work with Xceleration." GARRET JONES – VOLUNTEER COACH 13WHITE Garret is entering his 2nd year as a volunteer coach with Xceleration VBC. Prior to joining Xceleration, Garret spent three seasons playing professional soccer in Bayernliga Nord for SpVgg Eschenbach, Germany. He also played two seasons for the USAFE Men’s Volleyball team in Nuremberg, Germany. Garret played collegiate soccer as a center-forward for Missouri Southern University. His previous coaching experience has been with Grafenwoehr High School as an assistant coach for an 11s and 12s youth volleyball team and assisting with last season's Xcelerations 16Blue team. Garret says, “I just love being a part of this sport and the support that Xceleration has provided me has been awesome! I'm looking forward to another fun season.” |
Jeremy & Gayle Swann
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JEREMY SWANN – CO-HEAD COACH 12BLUE
Jeremy returns for his 10th season at Xceleration and is entering his 14th season of coaching junior girls’ volleyball. For the last nine seasons, Jeremy served as co-head coach of Xceleration’s 18Blue teams that have consistently earned bids to the annual USAV Junior National Championships. He will continue to lead the 18Blue with co-head coach Andy Schroeder in 2017-2018. Prior to Xceleration, Jeremy was the Head Coach at Monte Vista High School for two seasons and led his teams to North Coast Section (NCS) appearances each season. Jeremy played volleyball at St. Mary’s College in Moraga and soccer at Cal State Hayward. GAYLE SWANN – CO-HEAD COACH 12BLUE Gayle is a Bay Area native that played basketball and ran track at then Cal State Hayward. She worked as an athletic trainer and a teacher in sports medicine at Cal High in San Ramon for 10+ years. Gayle also served two years as Assistant Coach of Cal High’s varsity boys’ volleyball program and two years as Assistant Coach for Monte Vista High School’s varsity girls’ volleyball program in Danville. Last year, Gayle ran Xceleration’s first-ever Winter Workout and she has assisted with the program’s Beginner’s Club for girls 12-and-under. |
Michelle Boydstun
Melinda Lau
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MICHELLE BOYDSTUN – BEACH VOLLEYBALL COACH
Michelle Boydstun leads Xceleration’s Beach Volleyball program as Head Coach. She was a setter at UC Davis and was ranked in the Top 10 CA Beach Volleyball players from 2009-2012. She earned her first AAA playing her first ever event in Santa Cruz. Beach volleyball has allowed her to travel around the world, including last year when she played in Columbia, South America. Michelle is a Certified Elite Personal Trainer, NASM Pilates Reformer and Mat Certified. She earned a B.S. in Exercise Physiology (with a Minor in Nutrition) at UC Davis. MELINDA LAU – BEACH VOLLEYBALL ASSOCIATE COACH Melinda joins Xceleration as an associate coach to the club’s beach program. She brings with her many years of indoor and outdoor experience. She has competed on the indoor college level at Cal State-Hayward (now CSU-East Bay), as well as in outdoor (grass and sand) doubles volleyball tournaments. Melinda has assisted in coaching other club volleyball programs. She has played on NCVA teams as well as assisted in tournaments for club teams. Melinda hopes to bring a love of playing sand volleyball to Xceleration's beach program. |
ADVISORY STAFF
Ruth Lawanson
Paul Harrison
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ROB BROWNING – INDOOR COACHING TECHNICAL ADVISOR/BEACH DIRECTOR
Rob Browning, head women’s indoor and beach volleyball coach at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, CA joins Xceleration Volleyball Club to further strengthen its coaching staff and beach program. As the Indoor Coaching Technical Advisor, as well as Beach Director, Rob meets with club management on skill technique and implementation procedures, assists with the design and implementation of club wide practice plans, and assists with the running a series of “Coaches Training Clinics” for all Xceleration coaches prior to the start of the season. Read more. RUTH LAWANSON – CLUB COACHING TECHNICAL ADVISOR/LESSSONS COACH As the Club's lessons and clinics coach during the season, Ruth will be available to all players to work on all skills and techniques to prepare for or during the season. Ruth Lawanson has been involved with volleyball for over 35 years as a player, coach and clinician. She has coached at University of Nevada, US Air Force Academy, Fresno State, Angelo State and Purdue University. In her career, she has helped coached 25 all-conference players, one all-region selection and an American Volleyball Coaches Association honorable-mention All-American. She has also helped mentor 90 academic all-conference student-athletes. A setter and hitter during her career she was a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic team that won the bronze medal in Barcelona. She spent four seasons with the U.S. National Team, playing on the 1991 World Cup squad that earned a bronze medal in Japan and the 1990 World Championships team that won a bronze medal in China. She was also honored with the national team's 1991 Judy Bellomo Players Award and won a gold medal with the 1992 U.S. Olympic Festival West Region team. Read more. PAUL HARRISON – PRACTICE COACH / COLLEGE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Paul is an Xceleration Volleyball Club veteran; first, as a parent of two daughters that had gone through the Xceleration program, followed by his stint as an assistant coach to Andy Schroeder and the 18 Blue for two years (making Junior Nationals appearances in Atlanta, GA in 2011 and Columbus, OH in 2012 where the team placed 5th), and finally in his current role as Practice Coach and one of the club’s two College Development (CD) Program directors. Paul has been involved with Xceleration’s CD Program since 2009, where he prides in the joy of seeing Xceleration players reach their potential and achieve tremendous success throughout the years. His current duties with Xceleration are ways for Paul to give back to the club that has helped shape the lives of many young volleyball athletes, including his own. |
