In 2020, amid a global pandemic, Chan Esperas and Jamie Cleary launched Kōkua Volleyball Club, offering socially distanced beach volleyball training. With incredible mentors guiding them, they felt compelled to give back to the kids and the community.  Kōkua means “to help,” a value deeply rooted in Club Director, Chan Esperas’ upbringing.  What started as a small initiative quickly grew into a unifying force, bringing together athletes and coaches from various clubs to strengthen Spokane’s volleyball community.

Beach Volleyball Programming

Kōkua is Spokane’s leader in beach volleyball, providing top-tier training and competition. The 2024 Summer Beach Program had 230 athletes, and 25 beach coaches training on 16 sand courts. This season Kōkua will once again compete in the BVCA Club Challenge Series powered by the JVA. The club is also hosting its third annual Club Challenge Series event May 10-11, 2025.

“As a club restricted by weather, we are driven to travel the country to seek the best competition. We love and appreciate the BVCA Club Challenge Series for the way it emulates the college format and provides guaranteed matches for the athletes,” said Esperas.

The Beach Program fosters mentorship through a Big Sis/Lil Sis Tournament. The club also pairs athletes with multiple governing bodies for expanded opportunities, and hosts community-driven events like the “End of Summer Bash” with competition, games, and local vendors. Kōkua made history by hosting Spokane’s first AVCA bid tournament, attracting top college programs, and continues to elevate the sport through its annual college showcase.

Girls’ Indoor Volleyball

The indoor girls’ program includes 11 volleyball teams 11U-18U. At the 18s level, Kōkua has pioneered a hybrid team model, balancing local indoor competition in the winter with elite beach travel to other venues, ensuring year-round growth.  The 18-1 team consists of a majority of Kōkua’s Beach Elite team. These seven young women will continue their passion for the game at several different beach programs across the country from Division 1, Division 2, NAIA and CCCAA.

Kōkua prides itself on its Mindfulness Program, led by Coach McKayla Ferris-Hazard, which supports athletes’ mental and emotional resilience, reinforcing a commitment to holistic player development. Mindfulness sessions range from 30–45-minute group meetings every month, quick pre-game deep breathing, and pre and post practice journaling with coaches and Mindfulness Coach Mac. Topics include growth mindset, controlling the controllables, mindful breathing, dealing with pressure and more.

The feedback from players is that mindfulness sessions help in tough moments. Athletes feel more calm, capable and open to challenges.

“If I can help one athlete successfully navigate challenges whether it’s on the court or off the court, I consider it a win. The fact that I might be making an impact on more than one is a dream come true.” – Coach Mac.

Boys’ Indoor Volleyball

Kōkua is a pillar of stability for boys’ volleyball in Spokane, offering a consistent home for athletes to train, compete, and build the sport’s foundation. Four boys indoor teams, including two 14U teams, a 16U team, and an 18U team, participate in the Western Boys Power League, a power series that travels throughout the Pacific Northwest. The teams finish the regular season with the Boarder Smackdown hosted in Spokane. By strengthening boys’ volleyball at the grassroots level, Kōkua is creating lasting opportunities for future generations.

Future

Chan and Jamie have secured a 22,000 square foot building in the Spokane Valley as the future home of Kōkua Volleyball Club. They have worked diligently through the permitting process and have committed the time, effort and funding to understand the intricacies of everything needed to make this dream a reality. It took about six months from touring the facility to getting keys. As a mid-size club that continues to grow, having this facility is an integral step to the future of Kōkua. It’s been a collaborative effort, and beneficial to have an amazing network of caring families and business professionals of all kinds assisting to make the dream a reality.

Kōkua Volleyball Club (Spokane, WA) is a member of the Junior Volleyball Association, an organization committed to enhancing the junior volleyball experience for club directors, coaches, players, and fans.

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