2021-2022 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. 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 Winston Churchill High School, a role he has held since 2012. Before that, he was the Head Womens 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 3rd 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 second 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.

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Clayton Ressler

CLAYTON RESSLER - CO-COACH - U17/18 GIRLS

Coach Ressler is returning for his 4th 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.

Cassandra Kawa

CASSANDRA KAWA - CO-COACH - U17/18 GIRLS

This is Coach Kawa's 3rd season as a coach with LVC. She brings with her the incomparable experience of 4 seasons as a starter with Indiana State University, a NCAA Division 1 team. The 6' middle blocker played in 100 sets over 28 matches in her final season with ISU, averaging 2.16 kills per set and posting a .227 attack percent. In high school, she played at Catholic Central High School in Lethbridge, where she was named a first team all-star 3 times and was named the most valuable player in her senior season. She played with LVC, Lethbridge Flare and Team Alberta, where she helped the U16 team to a bronze medal finish and U17 team to a gold medal finish. She is looking forward to returning to coaching along side Coach Ressler this year.

Chris Baxter

CHRIS BAXTER - COACH - U16 GIRLS

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.

Tyra Pols

TYRA POLS - ASST COACH - U16 GIRLS

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.

Parker Bijl

PARKER BIJL - COACH - U15 GIRLS BLUE

This is Parker Bijl's 2nd year coaching with LVC, but brings many years coaching experience with him. He is currently a first year teacher at WR Meyers where he is coaching the JV girls volleyball program. His athletic background includes football, track and field, and of course volleyball. Over the past 6 years, he has spent time coaching hurdles, and community football programs throughout Calgary. Coach Parker is looking forward to bringing a contagious energy, demonstrating positive leadership, and implementing a dedicated work ethic to the U15 girls program.

Jessica Ressler

JESSICA RESSLER - ASST. COACH - U15 GIRLS BLUE

This is Jessica's 2nd season coaching with LVC. She is a Physical Education teacher at WR Meyers where she also coaches the Senior Varsity girls program. Jessica has coached U15 - 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 U15 girls program. Coach Jessica is looking forward to working alongside Coach Bijl for the 2021/2022 season.

Madison Besant

MADISON BESANT - CO-COACH - U15 GIRLS 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.

Kortlyn Subernak

KORTLYN SUBERNAK - CO-COACH - U15 GIRLS WHITE

Kortlyn is a 3rd 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.

Jamie Puchinger

JAMIE PUCHINGER - HEAD COACH - U14 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!

Erin McFadden

ERIN MCFADDEN - ASST COACH - U14 GIRLS

Erin hails from central Alberta, however she has spent the majority of the
past seven years in Lethbridge as a student. She has been playing volleyball
for 13 years, most of which were spent with Rimbey High School and Sylvan
Lake Wave, however she has been a part of the Lethbridge Ladies League for
the past three. She has spent a lot of time coaching various teams, as she
loves to be around people and the sport! She is currently a rugby athlete at
the University of Lethbridge but would love to devote more time to the
volleyball community. This will be her first year as an LVC coach and she is
extremely excited to share her love of the sport with budding athletes!

Sammy Wade

SAMMY WADE - CO-COACH - U13 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!

Nicole Stahl

NICOLE STAHL - CO-COACH - U13 GIRLS

Nicole grew up in Lethbridge and has played volleyball for many years throughout Junior High and High School and she continues to play volleyball in both a women’s league and Co-Ed league. Nicole is a 5^th year Kinesiology student at the University of Lethbridge and hopes to become a teacher. She is also a former UofL Pronghorn soccer player. This will be her first year as an LVC coach and is very excited to be a part of the program and to share her love of the sport with young athletes.

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!

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Kieran Meadows

KIERAN MEADOWS -ASST COACH - LVC KODIAK MENS

This is Coach Meadows 4th season coaching with LVC. Coach Meadows came to us through the LVC club program as he played throughout middle school and high school for the club. He is an enthusiastic coach and is always looking for opportunities to learn and grow. He is in his 3rd year at the University of Lethbridge and looks forward to another season with the talented LVC athletes.

Corbin Stringam

CORBIN STRINGAM -ASST COACH - LVC KODIAK MENS

BIO COMING SOON!

Sianna Cherweniuk-Hummel

SIANNA CHERWENIUK-HUMMEL - CO-COACH - U17 BOYS

Sianna and Mike are both Lethbridge College Alumni, and they have over 10+ years of volleyball experience. Sianna played right side and Mike as a middle and left side. They are currently coaching at Immanuel Christian High School, and have coached U15 boys previously with LVC. They are excited to coach for LVC again for the U17 boys age group! They value hard work and dedication to this sport.

Mike Hummel

MIKE HUMMEL - CO-COACH - U17 BOYS

Dan Knop

DAN KNOP - HEAD COACH - U16 BOYS

Coach Knop returns to his 5th 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 - U16 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.

Kris Qually

KRIS QUALLY - ASST COACH - U15 BOYS

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.

Rob Wood

ROB WOOD - HEAD COACH - U15 BOYS

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.

Zac Neufeld

ZAC NEUFELD - HEAD COACH - U14 BOYS

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.

Sydney Herrick

SYDNEY HERRICK - ASST COACH - U14 BOYS

BIO COMING SOON!

Ian Bennett

IAN BENNETT - U13 GIRLS MODIFIED TEAM COACH

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.