Girls
Boys
2026/27 Boys Coaches
Chan Esperas
Club Director
Chan Esperas has over 30 years of experience in volleyball. While most of it is from the indoor scene, he has transitioned to coaching beach volleyball. With coaching beach as a new discipline, he spent endless hours analyzing the game. He studied core fundamentals, strategies, and tactics from multiple resources. Chan has established a network of coaches and attends clinics and formal coach training programs to develop his coaching style. As a member of USAV, JVA, AAU, AVPA, AOC, and AVCA he has access to a vast library of resources to help develop himself and his athletes. This commitment has lead his team to win multiple national bids over the past few years. Kōkua Beach Volleyball Club was formed when he saw an opportunity to help (kōkua) the athletes of the beach community grow their game. We have gathered the greatest minds available to provide the best training and opportunities for our ohana to compete at the highest level they can achieve.
Mark Felchlin
Boys Indoor Manager
Coach Mark is going into his 7th season as a coach with Kōkua. He is a passionate volleyball coach with over ten years of experience, dedicated to helping young men reach their full potential both on and off the court. He was honored to be selected to the WBPL First Team All Team as the 18s head coach. With a decade of playing experience, including three years of College Club Volleyball at EWU, Mark brings a wealth of knowledge and a player’s perspective to every coaching session. His extensive experience allows him to connect with athletes on a personal level and understand their goals. Mark focuses on developing well-rounded individuals, instilling values of teamwork, leadership, and sportsmanship while refining volleyball skills. He tailors his approach to each athlete's unique needs, ensuring they develop the agility, ball control, and quick decision-making required for success. Through dedicated training, strategic development, and mental preparation, Mark is committed to helping every player reach their full potential, both as athletes and individuals. Off the court, Mark's life revolves around family, friends, and serving others. He and his wife enjoy spending quality time with loved ones at the lake with their daughter and engaging in friendly pickleball matches.
Erin Alkire
U12 Coach
Coach Erin (Naipo) Alkire is excited to join the U12 Boys coaching staff in her sixth year with Kokua. She previously coached the U12, U14, and U18 boys. Prior to coaching boys volleyball, Erin coached women's volleyball as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Montana State University (2004-06) and the Community Colleges of Spokane (2002-04). Erin grew up in Spokane and played for Splash Volleyball Club and at Lewis and Clark High School. She lead LC to a 2nd place finish at the State Championship in 1995, earned 1st Team All GSL honors in 1996 and 1997 and All-State honors in 1997-98. Erin went on to play for 4 seasons at Dartmouth College (1998-2001) and served as Team Captain her senior year.
Katie Naipo
U12 Coach
Katie was born and raised in Spokane, attending East Valley High School. She played at Spokane Falls Community College where she still holds the record for single season and all-time hitting percentages and has been inducted into the hall of fame. She played softball for Spokane Falls Community College as well. Katie transferred to the University of South Carolina at Spartanburg, a division II NCAA college to finish her collegiate athletic career and obtain her Bachelors in Nursing. This is Katie's 9th season of coaching volleyball, 7th with Kokua. Katie also participated in local Roller Derby from 2010-2013, skating with the Lilac City Roller Girls. Katie and her husband Jesse have 4 children, and she looks forward to coaching them all in Kokua uniforms.
Ailahni Viloria
U14 Black Assistant Coach
Ailahni Mae Viloria is entering her third year as a coach. She volunteered as a coach throughout high school and currently plays with Eastern Washington University's Women's Volleyball Club team. Having played volleyball since she was 15, she is excited to continue her journey in the sport with a fantastic club and group of young athletes.
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Megan Flaherty
U18 White Assistant Coach
Megan Flaherty discovered her passion for volleyball nearly 28 years ago. She played club volleyball from grade school through her senior year at Ferris High School in 2005. Her love for the sport continued beyond high school, competing in two-on-two grass volleyball tournaments on both women’s and coed teams. She continued playing and competing as an adult for many years. Megan eventually found a new way to share her passion for the sport through coaching, working with Girls U12, U14, and U16 teams. After taking a break to focus on work and family, Megan is excited to return to the volleyball community and step into the world of boys’ club volleyball. As a coach, Megan’s goals are to develop each player’s individual skills, strengthen the team as a whole, and help promote the growth of boys’ volleyball in the Spokane area. Most importantly, she hopes to be an example of how a love for a youth sport can grow into a lifelong passion and activity.
Nate Edmons
U18 White Head Coach
Nate has been playing volleyball since 1983 and became a head coach in 2001. His playing career includes JV and Varsity Boys Volleyball in southern California, club volleyball while in college and graduate school, and the All-Navy Men’s Volleyball Team while on active duty. Throughout those years he also played on beach and grass doubles circuits. After leaving active duty in 2001, he transitioned to coaching and joined the Evergreen Region as the High-Performance Coordinator. That position gave him the opportunity to travel to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and learn from the women’s national team coaching staff. Nate has coached every age group in girls club volleyball and is very excited about returning to the boys’ side of the game!
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Kuni Diorec
U18 Black Assistant Coach
Uncle Kuni’s Philosophy – “Better the person, better the ball with trusting, respectful, and learning culture” Coach Kuni serves as the U18’s indoor boys volleyball coach on his seventh season. Originally from Molokai Hawaii, coach Kuni was raised in a volleyball centered family. USAV CAP Level III coach, NCCP Level II coach. He started his coaching career as an assistant coach for Outrigger Canoe club Team Maka’ala U19 jr men from 1989 to 1993. Kenai Central High School in 1997 and at the same time was awarded the head coach for FIVB U19 team for Team Alaska where he held three consecutive gold medals followed by three silver medals and one bronze medal in the Arctic Winter Games. The FIVB coach experience has allowed Coach Kuni the opportunity to learn more styles of volleyball from Russia, Canada, Europe, and United States. Coach Kuni second passion is developing firefighters and Rescuers. He has been a Fire Fighter since 1990 and has held the position of Emergency Response Chief for 15 years. He models both of his passions to develop and enhance men to be better people, high performance teammates, servant leaders, and assist “KoKua” their communities. Coach Kuni and his family have now planted roots in Post Falls Idaho and have found a great volleyball family with KoKua. His mission is to assist with growing the sport of boys’ volleyball with the same family values that guided him of Trust, Respect, Accountability, and “Kuleana Ko Kakou” (All of our Responsibility). Coach Kuni has a beautiful wife of 21 years Lysa, son KuKoa, daughter Courtney, and son Brandon.
Mike Walton
U18 Black Head Coach
Mike started playing volleyball at age 13 for Spokane Boys Volleyball Club with Kokua Director Chan Esperas and has been playing ever since! In his high school career Mike's teams took place in several Boys Junior National Tournaments. After high school, Mike attended Gonzaga University, earning a degree in Civil Engineering and continuing to play Men's Volleyball and attending several Adult National Volleyball tournaments throughout the United States. Mike has spent the past 12 years coaching club volleyball from ages U12 to U18.