“Coaching is releasing a person’s potential to maximize their own performance. It is helping them to learn rather than teaching them.”
~Unknown
The JVA is pleased to announce the 28 individuals honored with the 2023 JVA Junior Club Service Award. This award recognizes the dedication and loyalty of the coaches, club directors and administrators of JVA member clubs who have been active in junior volleyball for at least 20 or more years. Seven recipients have coached for thirty or more years! We are incredibly grateful to these individuals for their service to junior volleyball.
“The responsibilities of a coach reach far beyond the hours they put in the gym. The years of commitment that these individuals have given to the sport of volleyball and the athletes they have impacted along the way should be applauded and thanked beyond measure. We are honored to recognize this year’s stellar recipients of the 2023 Junior Club Service Award!“ said JVA Director of Member Development, Lisa Wielebnicki.
The honorees will be celebrated during the JVA Annual Gathering on Wednesday, December 13th in Tampa, Florida in conjunction with the AVCA Convention. Click here to RSVP for this event.
This award is presented by 431 Sports, the Official Team Dealer of the JVA that offers the best product selection, customer service and exclusive benefits and rewards to volleyball clubs. Recipients will receive a $75 gift card plus free shipping to the JVA store on behalf of 431 Sports.
Congratulations to the 2023 JVA Junior Club Service Award Recipients!
Cap City Volleyball
Raleigh, NC
21 years of service
“Coach Kelly has devoted much of his time and energy coaching girls, indoor and outdoor volleyball. He has shown dedication to the sport and to the club that he purchased for you. He truly cares for has players .”
Raleigh, NC
21 years of service
“Coach Kelly has devoted much of his time and energy coaching girls, indoor and outdoor volleyball. He has shown dedication to the sport and to the club that he purchased for you. He truly cares for has players .”
Central Illinois Elite
Washington, IL
27 years of service
“Jennifer’s passion is to make each and every athlete the very best version of themselves and she is constantly in the gym helping any athlete of any age or skill set to become that. Jennifer passes down her knowledge of the sport to as many coaches and players as possible. In 2017 she was awarded the National Girls and Women in Sports Award for the work she has done with youth girls in our area.”
Washington, IL
27 years of service
“Jennifer’s passion is to make each and every athlete the very best version of themselves and she is constantly in the gym helping any athlete of any age or skill set to become that. Jennifer passes down her knowledge of the sport to as many coaches and players as possible. In 2017 she was awarded the National Girls and Women in Sports Award for the work she has done with youth girls in our area.”
A5 Gwinnett
Suwanee, GA
20 years of service
“Coach April has been pouring into Junior athletes and has been a leader within the Atlanta volleyball community for many years. As a coach she embodies the “lead from the top mentality”, not only modeling for other coaches but for her players. April pours her soul into volleyball and cares about the whole person, not just the athlete.”
Suwanee, GA
20 years of service
“Coach April has been pouring into Junior athletes and has been a leader within the Atlanta volleyball community for many years. As a coach she embodies the “lead from the top mentality”, not only modeling for other coaches but for her players. April pours her soul into volleyball and cares about the whole person, not just the athlete.”
RockCity Volleyball Club
Poulsbo, WA
23 years of service
“Rob has made an impact on everyone around him. He helps direct RockCity and also provides in depth data and knowledge of every player in the club. He has coached at all levels from youth through D1 college and brings a wealth of knowledge to the players and coaches around him. He is active in the volleyball community and always working to make those around him the best that they can be.”
Poulsbo, WA
23 years of service
“Rob has made an impact on everyone around him. He helps direct RockCity and also provides in depth data and knowledge of every player in the club. He has coached at all levels from youth through D1 college and brings a wealth of knowledge to the players and coaches around him. He is active in the volleyball community and always working to make those around him the best that they can be.”
Volleyball Elite Academy
Southfield, MI
26 years of service
“Dana has devoted her life to making sure that little girls from the inner city receive the support and guidance that they may not usually receive. Every year she mentors, coaches and leads over 100 girls to not only be exceptional athletes but also providing them the tools to excel in the classroom. She continues to inspire and trains young ladies during their off seasons to help them grow and develop in various areas they are challenged.”
Southfield, MI
26 years of service
“Dana has devoted her life to making sure that little girls from the inner city receive the support and guidance that they may not usually receive. Every year she mentors, coaches and leads over 100 girls to not only be exceptional athletes but also providing them the tools to excel in the classroom. She continues to inspire and trains young ladies during their off seasons to help them grow and develop in various areas they are challenged.”
Alabama Performance
Bessemer, AL
38 years of service
“Julie’s club is entering its 20th season. Se has a 100% scholarship rate for her senior classes. She just added her 4th AAU National Championship and has coached 6 collegiate All Americans, 23 AAU All Americans, 5 JVA All Americans, and had four players play on the USA National team. Having attended an inner city school herself, she strives to help inner city students find new opportunities. Along with progressing the sport of volleyball in the state, Julie also pushes her club members to serve their own communities. This is done through food drives, coat drives, serving at soup kitchens, etc. Julie Dailey is the epitome of service and I don’t think there’s anyone more deserving.
Bessemer, AL
38 years of service
“Julie’s club is entering its 20th season. Se has a 100% scholarship rate for her senior classes. She just added her 4th AAU National Championship and has coached 6 collegiate All Americans, 23 AAU All Americans, 5 JVA All Americans, and had four players play on the USA National team. Having attended an inner city school herself, she strives to help inner city students find new opportunities. Along with progressing the sport of volleyball in the state, Julie also pushes her club members to serve their own communities. This is done through food drives, coat drives, serving at soup kitchens, etc. Julie Dailey is the epitome of service and I don’t think there’s anyone more deserving.
South County Bandits VBC
Essex, ON
25 years of service
“Bernie has been the President and Founder since 1999, and the club has grown exponentially, committed to providing a great volleyball experience for the kids while creating opportunities for the athletes to play at the next level. Bernie has been one of those guys that has done so many of the jobs behind the scenes that nobody wants to really do but are necessary for kids to be able to play volleyball. 1,000’s of kids have benefited from the time and effort he has put in to the sport so they could play and develop.”
Essex, ON
25 years of service
“Bernie has been the President and Founder since 1999, and the club has grown exponentially, committed to providing a great volleyball experience for the kids while creating opportunities for the athletes to play at the next level. Bernie has been one of those guys that has done so many of the jobs behind the scenes that nobody wants to really do but are necessary for kids to be able to play volleyball. 1,000’s of kids have benefited from the time and effort he has put in to the sport so they could play and develop.”
Precisión Volleyball Academy
Cleveland, OH
24 years of service
“Kyra’s family of coaches have been with her for over 20 years. Athletes return after graduation either as coaches, mentors, or just hanging out. PVA is truly a family that gives back thanks to her leadership.”
Cleveland, OH
24 years of service
“Kyra’s family of coaches have been with her for over 20 years. Athletes return after graduation either as coaches, mentors, or just hanging out. PVA is truly a family that gives back thanks to her leadership.”
Carolina Select
Hickory, NC
20 years of service
“Leesa has impacted countless athletes and coaches in her community for 20+ years and leads with a fiery passion. In 2005 she founded Carolina Select with 5 teams and 50 athletes, and the club now has 19 teams with 200+ athletes. Leesa stays involved coaching at CSVC and is a mentor to the new coaches.”
Hickory, NC
20 years of service
“Leesa has impacted countless athletes and coaches in her community for 20+ years and leads with a fiery passion. In 2005 she founded Carolina Select with 5 teams and 50 athletes, and the club now has 19 teams with 200+ athletes. Leesa stays involved coaching at CSVC and is a mentor to the new coaches.”
Cincinnati Volleyball Academy
Cincinnati, OH
20 years of service
“Yoon is someone you want to emulate as you evolve as a coach because he sets the standard of an empathic leader. He thinks outside of the box, always asking “why?” and figures out how to make the athlete as a whole better. We can teach drills all day till we are blue in the face but what we need to do is figure out the WHY. Yoon is selfless in that he shares all that he has learned freely because he wants everyone to genuinely succeed.”
Cincinnati, OH
20 years of service
“Yoon is someone you want to emulate as you evolve as a coach because he sets the standard of an empathic leader. He thinks outside of the box, always asking “why?” and figures out how to make the athlete as a whole better. We can teach drills all day till we are blue in the face but what we need to do is figure out the WHY. Yoon is selfless in that he shares all that he has learned freely because he wants everyone to genuinely succeed.”
Munciana
Muncie, IN
20 years of service
“Thanh has been a great advocate for volleyball in Delaware County. Her allegiance to Munciana is special. She has coached all age groups except 18s, 14s, and 12s, but her specialty is working with younger players. Besides focusing on volleyball skills, Thanh is very adept at developing basic athletic skills. This portion of her practices is affectionately known as “Thanh Time.””
Muncie, IN
20 years of service
“Thanh has been a great advocate for volleyball in Delaware County. Her allegiance to Munciana is special. She has coached all age groups except 18s, 14s, and 12s, but her specialty is working with younger players. Besides focusing on volleyball skills, Thanh is very adept at developing basic athletic skills. This portion of her practices is affectionately known as “Thanh Time.””
Pulse Volleyball
Anaheim, CA
20 years of service
“Glenn has made it his passion to build competitive volleyball teams while shaping good human beings. Every practice, he takes his teams to a conference room where they work on life lessons that translate to on-court success. On the court, he challenges his athletes to be the best version of themselves. Outside the gym, he is constantly ensuring the athletes keep their love for volleyball by setting up team bonding, going to the athletes high school matches to showcase support, communicating with the parents on how their child is doing, and most importantly, checking in with athletes to check on their mental state.”
Anaheim, CA
20 years of service
“Glenn has made it his passion to build competitive volleyball teams while shaping good human beings. Every practice, he takes his teams to a conference room where they work on life lessons that translate to on-court success. On the court, he challenges his athletes to be the best version of themselves. Outside the gym, he is constantly ensuring the athletes keep their love for volleyball by setting up team bonding, going to the athletes high school matches to showcase support, communicating with the parents on how their child is doing, and most importantly, checking in with athletes to check on their mental state.”
Anthem United Volleyball Club
Ringgold, GA
25 years of service
“Coach Tony has been giving back to youth volleyball since 1996. He developed his club’s training program for 8-12 year olds to learn the fundamentals of the game prior to club ball. He doesn’t make any cuts in the program to allow all players who wish to learn the game to be involved. He volunteers his time over the summer to train players in sand and indoor leagues.”
Ringgold, GA
25 years of service
“Coach Tony has been giving back to youth volleyball since 1996. He developed his club’s training program for 8-12 year olds to learn the fundamentals of the game prior to club ball. He doesn’t make any cuts in the program to allow all players who wish to learn the game to be involved. He volunteers his time over the summer to train players in sand and indoor leagues.”
Eastside Volleyball Club
Peoria, IL
25 years of service
“Todd is a gym rat. He’s always in the gym giving lessons, working before and after practice with players and offering to provide extra work to anyone willing to take him up on the offer. Todd is encouraging, constantly talking coach that provides positive feedback. He is willing to coach any player and any team and values making a difference and making those who work with him better.”
Peoria, IL
25 years of service
“Todd is a gym rat. He’s always in the gym giving lessons, working before and after practice with players and offering to provide extra work to anyone willing to take him up on the offer. Todd is encouraging, constantly talking coach that provides positive feedback. He is willing to coach any player and any team and values making a difference and making those who work with him better.”
1st Alliance / Lions Jrs
Downers Grove, IL
30 years of service
“Colleen is a mainstay to the 1st Alliance/Lions Jrs program and the development of young players. She teaches a love for the game and grows the desire to improve and play the game in so many young players. She has continued to coach while working full time as a teacher and a mother of four boys. She is a positive role model for all coaches and parents as well as her players.”
Downers Grove, IL
30 years of service
“Colleen is a mainstay to the 1st Alliance/Lions Jrs program and the development of young players. She teaches a love for the game and grows the desire to improve and play the game in so many young players. She has continued to coach while working full time as a teacher and a mother of four boys. She is a positive role model for all coaches and parents as well as her players.”
Cleveland Volleyball Company
Avon, OH
32 years of service
“Sherry takes pride in developing female athletes and future women in leadership by being a strong, positive role-model and mentor. Not only does she focus on growing as an athlete but also on developing the life skills needed for success off the court. She is a major piece of the backbone of CVC as a mentor for fellow coaches, an outstanding role model and instructor for players and an active indoor and beach adult player herself!”
Avon, OH
32 years of service
“Sherry takes pride in developing female athletes and future women in leadership by being a strong, positive role-model and mentor. Not only does she focus on growing as an athlete but also on developing the life skills needed for success off the court. She is a major piece of the backbone of CVC as a mentor for fellow coaches, an outstanding role model and instructor for players and an active indoor and beach adult player herself!”
Strive Volleyball Club
Gaithersburg, MD
35 years of service
“Rob has impacted the Maryland juniors community since the late 1980s. Over his 35+ years of coaching, he has not only taught the game to hundreds of players, but he has also trained numerous players to eventually become coaches. Rob used to run free intramural programs at the middle school he taught at as a way to get boys and girls interested in the sport at an early age since Maryland does not offer middle school sports. He takes steps every year to grow his own knowledge of the sport and continues to play to this day!”
Gaithersburg, MD
35 years of service
“Rob has impacted the Maryland juniors community since the late 1980s. Over his 35+ years of coaching, he has not only taught the game to hundreds of players, but he has also trained numerous players to eventually become coaches. Rob used to run free intramural programs at the middle school he taught at as a way to get boys and girls interested in the sport at an early age since Maryland does not offer middle school sports. He takes steps every year to grow his own knowledge of the sport and continues to play to this day!”
NOVA Juniors
Akron, OH
33 years of service
“Scott has exhibited exceptional leadership qualities that have profoundly influenced the coaches under his guidance. As a mentor, he has consistently demonstrated a commitment to fostering a positive and supportive coaching environment. Scott instills values of sportsmanship, teamwork, and perseverance, shaping these athletes into well-rounded individuals who contribute positively to both the sporting and broader community. Scott has actively participated in community outreach programs, clinics, and workshops, sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience. His willingness to give back to the community has contributed to the overall growth and development of the sport.”
Akron, OH
33 years of service
“Scott has exhibited exceptional leadership qualities that have profoundly influenced the coaches under his guidance. As a mentor, he has consistently demonstrated a commitment to fostering a positive and supportive coaching environment. Scott instills values of sportsmanship, teamwork, and perseverance, shaping these athletes into well-rounded individuals who contribute positively to both the sporting and broader community. Scott has actively participated in community outreach programs, clinics, and workshops, sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience. His willingness to give back to the community has contributed to the overall growth and development of the sport.”
Winter Park Volleyball Club
Orlando, FL
34 years of service
“Roger has graduated student athletes into collegiate programs throughout the nation on all levels and has coached teams on almost every level. He was just appointed to the George Mason Men’s Coaching Staff as the Assistant Coach!”
Orlando, FL
34 years of service
“Roger has graduated student athletes into collegiate programs throughout the nation on all levels and has coached teams on almost every level. He was just appointed to the George Mason Men’s Coaching Staff as the Assistant Coach!”
RapidFire VBC
El Paso, TX
33 years of service
“Betty has been involved with the volleyball community since 1990 and has coached many teams and touched the lives of hundreds of junior players throughout her career. She has amazing energy both on and off the court. Even when faced with adversity, Coach Betty will always place her team and players before herself. She is always first to volunteer her time to assist our club or other coaches. Betty is well known in our volleyball community both as an experienced coach and respected referee.”
El Paso, TX
33 years of service
“Betty has been involved with the volleyball community since 1990 and has coached many teams and touched the lives of hundreds of junior players throughout her career. She has amazing energy both on and off the court. Even when faced with adversity, Coach Betty will always place her team and players before herself. She is always first to volunteer her time to assist our club or other coaches. Betty is well known in our volleyball community both as an experienced coach and respected referee.”
RockCity Volleyball Club
Mentor, OH
38 years of service
“Mark is a leader in the youth volleyball community. He has presented internationally on this topic and the work that he does with young kids is known across the country. He helps anyone and everyone become better in the volleyball community and is always striving to get better as well. He has coached at all levels and as extensive experience in the game that he willingly and graciously passes along to everyone around him.”
Mentor, OH
38 years of service
“Mark is a leader in the youth volleyball community. He has presented internationally on this topic and the work that he does with young kids is known across the country. He helps anyone and everyone become better in the volleyball community and is always striving to get better as well. He has coached at all levels and as extensive experience in the game that he willingly and graciously passes along to everyone around him.”
Level Elite Sports
Northport, AL
35 years of service
“Coach Tina has coached and is in the Hall of Fame at Mississippi State University. Coach Tina genuinely cares about the players in her organization, no matter the location. She trains players at a high level to prepare them for college ball. When Coach Tina isn’t actually coaching her 15’s team she is traveling to all the other locations to see how things are running and getting to know those players and parents better.”
Northport, AL
35 years of service
“Coach Tina has coached and is in the Hall of Fame at Mississippi State University. Coach Tina genuinely cares about the players in her organization, no matter the location. She trains players at a high level to prepare them for college ball. When Coach Tina isn’t actually coaching her 15’s team she is traveling to all the other locations to see how things are running and getting to know those players and parents better.”
Phoenix Volleyball Club
Chandler, AZ
23 years of service
“Coach Jim is an amazing coach, and is loved by his peers. He’s taught his coaches and athletes more than anyone and truly cares about us. He makes sure his athletes love the sport of volleyball and always wants to see them succeed.”
Chandler, AZ
23 years of service
“Coach Jim is an amazing coach, and is loved by his peers. He’s taught his coaches and athletes more than anyone and truly cares about us. He makes sure his athletes love the sport of volleyball and always wants to see them succeed.”
Mountain View Volleyball Club
Sunnyvale, CA
23 years of service
“Dave has been an outstanding youth volleyball coach for more than 2 decades. He is an amazing role model for young players and is committed to developing players with the tools and character to be successful beyond sports. He is also committed to creating championship level teams in both high school and club levels. He is a constant student of the game and a great mentor for young coaches.”
Sunnyvale, CA
23 years of service
“Dave has been an outstanding youth volleyball coach for more than 2 decades. He is an amazing role model for young players and is committed to developing players with the tools and character to be successful beyond sports. He is also committed to creating championship level teams in both high school and club levels. He is a constant student of the game and a great mentor for young coaches.”
Team Indiana Volleyball
Indianapolis, IN
24 years of service
“Michelle has tirelessly worked with TI athletes since 2004 as the Recruiting Coordinator. She has helped guide numerous families through the recruiting process. She and her husband have organized and run the Team Indiana Jr/Sr Showcase for the last 18 years. This event occurs at the end of November each year. It typically attracts between 200-250 athletes and 50-100 college coaches of all levels.”
Indianapolis, IN
24 years of service
“Michelle has tirelessly worked with TI athletes since 2004 as the Recruiting Coordinator. She has helped guide numerous families through the recruiting process. She and her husband have organized and run the Team Indiana Jr/Sr Showcase for the last 18 years. This event occurs at the end of November each year. It typically attracts between 200-250 athletes and 50-100 college coaches of all levels.”
Team Indiana Volleyball
Indianapolis, IN
24 years of service
“Rich has developed and produced seven AAU All-Americans, and eight Junior Olympic All Americans, including one MVP. Rich has also guided his players through the recruiting process; and watched them excel at the collegiate level.”
Indianapolis, IN
24 years of service
“Rich has developed and produced seven AAU All-Americans, and eight Junior Olympic All Americans, including one MVP. Rich has also guided his players through the recruiting process; and watched them excel at the collegiate level.”
South County Bandits VBC
Essex, ON
20 years of service
“Jeff puts countless hours per week coaching various teams to great success. His players develop a life time love of the game and many become coaches themselves. Jeff takes the time to help develop and teacher the young coaches in our club become better coaches and models what a quality coach does. He organizes all the team schedules, practices and extra training opportunities for his club’s athletes and is an extremely important member of the South County Bandits.”
Essex, ON
20 years of service
“Jeff puts countless hours per week coaching various teams to great success. His players develop a life time love of the game and many become coaches themselves. Jeff takes the time to help develop and teacher the young coaches in our club become better coaches and models what a quality coach does. He organizes all the team schedules, practices and extra training opportunities for his club’s athletes and is an extremely important member of the South County Bandits.”
Starlings Shonto
Shonto, AZ
24 years of service
“In 2003, Coach Miles decided to become part of the Starlings Volleyball, USA club program serving underprivileged and under-represented girls across the US. He has provided hundreds of Navajo Native American girls an opportunity to grow as a person and volleyball player. He imparts his wonderful characteristics to the girls on his teams. They are poised under pressure, always seem to be following a game plan and have great character whether they win or lose.”
-Kim Oden (former Olympian and co-Founder of Starlings Volleyball, USA)
Shonto, AZ
24 years of service
“In 2003, Coach Miles decided to become part of the Starlings Volleyball, USA club program serving underprivileged and under-represented girls across the US. He has provided hundreds of Navajo Native American girls an opportunity to grow as a person and volleyball player. He imparts his wonderful characteristics to the girls on his teams. They are poised under pressure, always seem to be following a game plan and have great character whether they win or lose.”
-Kim Oden (former Olympian and co-Founder of Starlings Volleyball, USA)
About the Junior Volleyball Association
The Junior Volleyball Association (JVA) is a non-profit organization that promotes the growth of youth and junior volleyball through program and resource development, education and events. The organization was formed in 2006 with a primary focus of being a voice for junior volleyball club directors and coaches, and to this day is the only organization that is focused entirely on youth and junior volleyball.
