2022-2023 COACHING ROSTER

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Derek Usman

DEREK USMAN - HEAD COACH - LVC WOMENS KODIAKS

Coach Usman is one of Southern Alberta's most experienced volleyball coaches. In addition to holding certifications that include NCCP Level 3 Theory and Technical, NCCP Level 2 Volleyball Certified, and USAV CAP Level 2, Coach Usman was named the Canadian Deaf Sports Association Coach of the Year in
2016 and the Southern Alberta High School Volleyball Coach of the Year in 2014 & 2022. He currently serves as Head Coach for the Canadian National Deaf Women's Volleyball Team, a role he has held since 2014, as well as for the Varsity Girls Team at Lethbridge Collegiate High School, a role he has held since
2020. Before that, he was the Head Women's volleyball coach at Lethbridge College from 2005 - 2011 and has served in a variety of other coaching roles throughout Southern Alberta since 1995. Last - but certainly not least - Coach Usman is one of the longest serving coaches for Lethbridge Volleyball Club,
coaching various teams from 1993 - 2007, in 2012, in 2015, and from 2018 to the present.

Kirsten Krassman

KIRSTEN KRASSMAN - ASST COACH - LVC WOMENS KODIAKS

Coach Krassman is looking forward to returning for her 5th season as a coach for LVC, where she had previously coached for the U15 and U16 girls teams. In addition, she has been assistant coach for the Chinook High School Grade 9 boys team. She is also an experienced volleyball player, having competed throughout middle school and at Eagle Butte High School outside Medicine Hat. "

Sierra Harms

SIERRA HARMS - ASST COACH - LVC WOMENS KODIAKS

Sierra is looking forward to this upcoming season alongside her former coach Derek Usman. Sierra has been involved with LVC/Junior Kodiak Club teams for 5 years and was involved with skills camps and open gyms for the last year. She is excited to learn more from Derek from the coaching perspective. Sierra is currently in her third year at the University of Lethbridge studying Kinesiology and Psychology in hopes of pursuing a career in sports psychology. She is very excited for this season and to continue her involvement in volleyball.

Carly Babe

cARLY BABE - ASST COACH - LVC WOMENS KODIAKS

Carly come to LVC as a new coach, but experienced player. She completed her LVC Junior Kodiaks as a libero under Coach Derek Usman for the final 2 years of her volleyball career. Carly is currently enrolled at the University of Lethbridge pursuing Kinesiology and Psychology. Carly is excited to work with LVC athletes and be on the other side as coaching staff.

DAVID LOW

DAVID LOW - U17 GIRLS - HEAD COACH

David Low grew up in a large family where sports and arts were a large part of life. He played a variety of competitive sports and performed in many productions. He creatively uses his knowledge of sports and activities to connect with and passionately teach the youth of today. In addition to playing on highly successful, winning volleyball and basketball teams at 4A L.C.I., he was a city badminton singles champion throughout high school, provincial handball gold medalist, ACAC soccer bronze medalist, Div 1 provincial club soccer silver medalist, team ping pong champion (I'll challenge any LVC club member ;)), and volleyball gold medalist in Japan.

Prior to becoming a father, David spent a few years coaching volleyball and basketball at LCI. Recently he has realized that he loves having a positive influence on todays 'thirsty for learning' youth and is very excited to be formally coaching again.

David believes that personal power and influence is much more impactful on youth than positional power.

DANIELLE LOW

DANIELLE LOW - U17 GIRLS - ASST COACH

BIO COMING SOON!

Chris Baxter

CHRIS BAXTER - COACH - U16 GIRLS BLUE

This will be Coach Baxter’s 2nd year coaching with LVC, but he brings many years of coaching background with him. During his 14 years teaching, he has had the opportunity to coach many sports including Basketball, Track and Field, Badminton and Volleyball. He is currently in his 4th year coaching the Sr. High Girls Volleyball team at FP Walshe in Fort Macleod. Before that he had spent 4 years coaching volleyball at the middle school level. Coach Baxter brings great excitement for coaching and volleyball this year and looks forward to working with LVC.

Alex Garrett

ALEX GARRETT - ASST. COACH - U16 GIRLS BLUE

I have been playing volleyball since I was 12 playing at F.P. Walshe in Fort Macleod and started playing for LVC when I was 13 finishing out my time with the Junior Kodiaks team in 2019 playing as a setter throughout my career. This is my first time coaching with LVC and I am excited to work alongside my previous high school coach Chris Baxter. I am looking forward to expanding my knowledge and getting to know more about the sport from a coaching perspective. I am ready to give back to the LVC community and am more excited to be back involved with volleyball.

Parker Bijl

PARKER BIJL - COACH - U16 GIRLS WHITE

This is Parker Bijl's 4th year coaching with LVC, but brings many years coaching experience with him. Parker attended the University of Lethbridge where he received his bachelor’s degrees in Kinesiology & Education. He is currently a second-year teacher at Kate Andrews High school where he coaches the Senior Varsity Girls volleyball program. Parker is currently completing his Developmental certification then pursuing his Advanced later this year. His last few years of coaching involve two seasons with LVC and running both Junior/Senior varsity programs at school. Coach Parker is looking forward to bringing a contagious energy, demonstrating positive leadership, and implementing a dedicated work ethic to the U16 girls’ program with the Lethbridge Volleyball Club.

Katelyne Bijl

KATELYNE BIJL - ASST. COACH - U16 GIRLS WHITE

This is Katelyne's first year as a coach with LVC. She currently teaches grade 6 math and enjoys hanging out with her husband and two dogs. Growing up she played a variety of sports and started coaching school volleyball this fall. She is excited to learn lots this season from her team and Parker.

Jamie Puchinger

JAMIE PUCHINGER - HEAD COACH - U15 GIRLS

Growing up in Lethbridge Jamie played volleyball throughout middle and high school including playing for LVC and Team Alberta. She was awarded a scholarship and played in the United States for a year before returning home to play for the Lethbridge College Kodiaks for another 2 years. Jamie continues to play throughout her adult life for the Lethbridge Ladies and Co-Ed Volleyball Leagues and serves on the Executive Committee for the Ladies League. This will be her second year coaching LVC and she is excited to share her love and passion for this sport!

Sammy Wade

SAMMY WADE - ASST. COACH - U15 GIRLS

Sammy is a third-year kinesiology student at the University of Lethbridge. She has been playing volleyball since 10 years old through competitive club programs, school programs, and intramural sports as a setter and right-side hitter. Sammy has a year of coaching experience on her belt but is looking forward to further developing her skills on the upcoming season. She is very excited for a fun, healthy, and rewarding season in 2022!

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Clayton Ressler

CLAYTON RESSLER- CO-COACH - U14 GIRLS BLUE

Coach Ressler is returning for his 5th season coaching with LVC, and he brings a variety of valuable experiences as an athlete and coach to the role. As a PE teacher and Athletic Director at Kate Andrews High School in Coaldale, he has coached many sports, including volleyball, track and field, cross-county, and badminton. Volleyball is one of his favorite sports. He has coached both club and school volleyball for 8 years ranging from U13 to U17 girls teams. He looks forward to returning to the court to co-coach with Cassandra and working with the talented LVC players this season.

Jessica Ressler

JESSICA RESSLER - CO-COACH - U14 GIRLS BLUE

This is Jessica's 3rd season coaching with LVC. She is a Physical Education teacher at WR Myers where she Coaches a multitude of sports. Jessica has coached U12 - 18 girls over the past decade, both in basketball and volleyball. Her passions include fitness and overall health and wellness. She hopes to integrate these passions into the U14 girls program and looks forward to a season of growth and development. Coach Jessica is looking forward to working alongside Coach Ressler for the 2022/2023 season.

Zac Neufeld

ZAC NEUFELD - HEAD COACH - U14 GIRLS WHITE

Coach Neufeld, a lifelong recreational and competitive volleyball player, is returning for his 4th year as an LVC coach. He draws on experience as a player, where he spent 2 years playing with Sundogs Mens Volleyball team at Great Plains college, and as a coach, where he has worked with teams at Immanel Christian for the past 3 years. He is working towards completing his degree in Kinesiology at the University of Lethbridge and is looking forward to a career working with the community to stay active and healthy.

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Brooke Holloway

BROOKE HOLLOWAY - ASST COACH - U14 GIRLS WHITE

Bio coming soon!

Ian Bennett

IAN BENNETT - COACH - U13 GIRLS BLUE

Ian has coached across all contexts and genders over the past 21 years. A trained performance coach, Ian has coached 9 LVC seasons, including a Division 1 18u Provincial Gold and Volleyball Alberta Coach of the Year in 2007. Named the 2015 ACAC Coach of the Year, he coached 8 nationally ranked post-secondary seasons in the ACAC, as well as 7 different provincial teams from 16u-19u. Ian has coached many high school, middle school and elementary squads in Calgary and Lethbridge since 1999. He also serves as a Volleyball Canada Learning Facilitator, training and evaluating coaches each year.

Jo Dixon

JO DIXON - ASST. COACH - U13 GIRLS BLUE

My name is Jo Dixon. I have been playing volleyball for over ten years now! I recently just finished playing with the Lethbridge College Kodiaks women’s volleyball team for the last three years. This is my first-time coaching with LVC, and I am excited to be a part of the team and coach alongside Ian. I am looking forward to being able to share my knowledge that I have gained over the years and share it with the next generation of volleyball players. I am also excited to learn more about the coaching side of volleyball and have a new perspective on the sport. I cannot wait to help the girls expand their passion for volleyball by learning and developing new skills and developing friendships!

Tyra Pols

TYRA POLS - HEAD COACH - U13 GIRLS WHITE

Tyra was born and raised in Lethbridge and has been playing volleyball since she was 11 years old. She's spent many years competing for Chinook High School and LVC, specializing as an outside and libero. This will be her first year fulfilling a coaching position and she is excited to work with the LVC athletes. Tyra is looking forward to sharing her knowledge as an athlete, expanding her knowledge as a coach, and giving back to the volleyball community.

Sami Biesheuvel

SAMI BIESHEUVEL - ASST. COACH - U13 GIRLS WHITE

BIO COMING SOON!

Alison Fabro-Pilsner

ALISON FABRO-PILSNER - HEAD COACH - U12 GIRLS BLUE

Alison grew up in Southern Alberta and played many sports but volleyball was always her favorite! She played volleyball on scholarship at the University of South Carolina. In South Carolina she coached Club Volleyball for many years before moving back to Canada in 2007. She has just recently got back into coaching.

Alison has an Education Degree and a Masters degree in Exercise Physiology. She taught junior high in South Carolina for a few years. Once she moved back to Canada she worked at Lethbridge College managing the fitness and recreation programming. She currently works at the UofL as the Manager of the Health Centre. She is excited to share her passion of teaching and health/wellness with the U12 LVC girls team for the 2022-2023 season.

Chantel Tillsley

CHANTEL TILLSLEY - ASST COACH - U12 GIRLS BLUE

Coach Chantel is excited to help Allison out with the U12 club team. She has coached high school girls for 8 years between LCI and CCH. She just recently coached the FLVT Hawks grade 6 team and had a blast. Chantel is looking forward to this upcoming season, with new experiences in Volleyball Alberta and the growth ahead.

Trish Grobmeier

TRISH GROBMEIER - COACH - U12 GIRLS WHITE

BIO COMING SOON!

BROOKLYN PONECH

BROOKLYN PONECH - ASST COACH - U12 GIRLS WHITE

Brooklyn has grown up in Lethbridge and has been playing volleyball since middle school. She is currently attending the University of Lethbridge for psychology and neuroscience. She has learned so much from volleyball and is excited to pass her knowledge on as well as gain new knowledge from the coaching perspective.

Shane Orr

SHANE ORR - HEAD COACH - LVC KODIAK MENS

Coach Orr brings 12 years of competitive volleyball coaching experience. He is the Senior Varsity boys head coach at Magrath High School and has led them to multiple podium finishes at provincial championships. Coach Orr has been named the SAHSVL coach of the year 4 times, and is the owner and director of Reach Volleyball Camps. His main goal when coaching is to develop resilient attitudes in his players. The game of volleyball teaches so many life lessons naturally, and Shane embraces these opportunities to go beyond the game. Shane believes in modelling positive behaviors and is excited to work with the Kodiak men!

Corbin Stringam

CORBIN STRINGAM -ASST COACH - LVC KODIAK MENS

Corbin played junior high and high school volleyball for Magrath. He played LVC for 3 years. Volleyball has always been the sport he is most passionate about. Coach Corbin has 5 years of high school coaching experience. He has helped coach junior and high school in Magrath, Raymond, Winston Churchill, and Consort Alberta. This will be his 4th year assisting Shane Orr. He is a junior high teacher in Taber and is just finishing up his Masters in Teacher Education, focusing on how youth are motivated in physical activities.

Kris Qually

KRIS QUALLY - ASST COACH - LVC KODIAK MEN

This will be Coach Qually's4th season with LVC and he is looking forward to another year of challenge and growth. Along with his coaching experience, Coach Qually brings years of playing experience including playing at the post secondary level for the University of Calgary and Mount Royal University.

Sianna Cherweniuk-Hummel

SIANNA CHERWENIUK-HUMMEL - COACH - U17/18 BOYS

Sianna Cherweniuk-Hummel has five years of coaching experience, ranging from U14 boys to U18 girls, both indoor and beach. She coached U17/18 boys for LVC last year, and has been a part of the Immanuel Christian coaching staff for the past two seasons. Sianna played volleyball for Medicine Hat College, but she finished her post-secondary career at Lethbridge College from 2016-2019. A University of Lethbridge graduate, Sianna incorporates her knowledge of psychology and counselling into her coaching approach.

Conlan Donahue

CONLAN DONAHUE - ASST COACH - U17/18 BOYS

Conlan is looking forward to this upcoming season coaching with Sianna Cherweniuk-Hummel. Coming into his 3rd year with LVC, Conlan holds 5 years of coaching experience with competitive u17/18, private coaching, and high school boys teams. Conlan is known for teaching technical skills, knowledge of the sport, being a motivator, and his relationships made coaching the athletes.

Dan Knop

DAN KNOP - HEAD COACH - U17 BOYS

Coach Knop returns to his 6th season coaching with LVC. Previously he had coached at the U15 and U18 levels, and he also brings his experience as a Head Coach at Chinook High School for the past 3 seasons. In addition to bringing a variety of coaching experiences to the role, he will draw on his playing career at the King's University where he received a CCAA National Scholar Award. Coach Knop is known for his knowledge of the game, commitment to the athletes, and ability to lighten the mood when needed.

Zach James

ZACH JAMES - ASST COACH - U17 BOYS

Born and raised in Lethbridge, Zach has been playing volleyball since he was 8 years old. His Senior years were played at Chinook High School. He is a part of the LVC alumni who continued his volleyball career at the College of the Rockies in Cranbrook. During his time at College, he volunteered as a Coach for the East Kootenay Volleyball Club for all 4 years. Since returning to Lethbridge, he has coached LVC teams for the past 2 years.

Rob Wood

ROB WOOD - HEAD COACH - U16 BOYS BLUE

Coach Wood is one of Lethbridge's most experienced and decorated volleyball coaches, bringing 27 years of coaching experience with him to the role. His coaching experience includes 5 years coaching the 4A teams at LCI and Winston Churchill High School; 5 years for Alberta Volleyball's 16U Provincial Team; 20 years at Gilbert Patterson Middle School; and more than 10 years with LVC. For LVC, Coach Wood has coached at every level from 13U to 16U and previously served as LVC's Master Coach and Coaching/Technical Director. In addition, he has served in a variety of camp coach, clinician and director roles at Lethbridge College, the University of Lethbridge, Medicine Hat College, AVA Volleyball on Wheels; and HITT; and was a competitive post-secondary player as well.

Cal De Jager

Cal De Jager - ASST COACH - U16 BOYS BLUE

Cal was born and raised in Lethbridge, he graduated from Immanuel Christian High School and played volleyball there from grade seven through to grade twelve.

He currently has two of his sons involved in LVC and has spent the past volleyball season working with Corbin Stringham as assistant coach for the Gilbert Patterson Rep Team. He has seen first hand the positive impact that LVC and it’s high level of quality coaching has had for his own sons. He hopes to continue to grow and develop as a coach and continue to glean wisdom and experience from Rob Wood and work hard to invest into this group of U16 young men with LVC. He brings a strong work ethic to everything he does. He is passionate about volleyball and about developing a positive, healthy team culture on and off the court.

Mike Doerksen

Mike Doerksen - Coach - U16 BOYS WHITE

Mike is very excited to be returning for his fifth season with LVC. A multi-sport coach, Mike joined the LVC coaching team in 2018 when his twin boys joined at the U14 level. Mike followed his boys up through U17 and now, as they move on to adulthood, he is happy to be head coaching the U16 White team. Mike has also been fortunate to coach at the high school level alongside Dustin McCubbing at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute.
Mike’s own volleyball experience includes one year of post secondary play, and he has been active with the Lethbridge Co-Ed Volleyball League for as long as his wife can remember.

TBD

TBD - Asst. Coach - U16 BOYS WHITE

BIO COMING SOON!

Kevin Miller-Tait

KEVIN MILLER-TAIT - HEAD COACH - U15 BOYS

Bio coming soon!

Colby Lindseth

COLBY LINDSETH - ASST COACH - U15 BOYS

Hi my name is Colby and I am a 4th year education student. I played volleyball for 9 years, including 3 with the Lethbridge College Kodiaks. I am excited to transition into coaching role and help inspire the next group of athletes.

Cody Hemmerling

CODY HEMMERLING - COACH - U15 BOYS WHITE

Cody played over 5 years with LVC during his playing days and has been coaching ever since he graduated high school. He has been an assistant coach with the Chinook senior men's team for 3 years, an assistant coach with LVC U16 boys for 2 years, and most recently head coach of the LCI grade 9 girls, leading the team to a second place finish in Lethbridge. Cody is currently in his last semester of his education degree at the U of L and is excited to work with the U15 boys this year!!

Brandon Lonsdale

BRANDON LONSDALE - ASST COACH - U15 BOYS WHITE

BIO COMING SOON!

Gord Vatcher

GORD VATCHER - HEAD COACH - U14 BOYS BLUE

Coach Vatcher brings 15+ years of competitive volleyball coaching experience. He is the athletic director and vice principal at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute. He has coached at the junior and senior high levels. He has led teams to be competitive in the zone, provincial and national levels. He is excited to be coaching the U14 boys and hopes to develop players that enjoy the game and develop resilient attitudes.

Kortlyn Suberlak

KORTLYN SUBERLAK - ASST. COACH - U14 BOYS BLUE

Kortlyn is a 4th year Kinesiology student at the University of Lethbridge where she hopes to pursue an education degree afterwards. Kortlyn played volleyball all through her years of junior high and high school where she played right side as a hitter. Kortlyn has 3 years of coaching experience; 2 years at Crescent Heights High School in Medicine Hat, and 1 year at Immanuel Christian School here in Lethbridge. She is excited to further her coaching experience with LVC.

Madison Besant

MADISON BESANT - CO-COACH - U13 BOYS WHITE

Madison is a Kinesiology student at the University of Lethbridge. She began playing volleyball at the age of 9 and found ways to continue to be involved in the sport. Madison played on a competitive team from 2010 - 2018, was a member of both her middle school and high school teams every year, and most recently has joined a co-ed intramural team through the University. Madison was an assistant coach for a boys middle school team for the fall 2021 season where she was able to lead them to a league championship. Her passion for the sport has influenced her drive to want to share her experience with others and further her career in physical activity. Madison is looking forward to this opportunity to be a part of the LVC team and continue to mold young, aspiring athletes.

Marco Geronazzo

MARCO GERONAZZO - CO-COACH - U13 BOYS WHITE

Bio coming soon!

Tiff Kiist

TIFF KIIST - COACH - U12 BOYS

Bio coming soon!

Erin McFadden

ERIN MCFADDEN - ASST. COACH - U12 BOYS

Bio coming soon!