McKayla Ferris
Coach and Mindfulness Trainer
McKayla Ferris is entering her 4th year with Kōkua. McKayla recently finished her first year as Volunteer Assistant Coach with Gonzaga University’s indoor volleyball program. Prior to joining the staff at Gonzaga, McKayla spent her fifth year of NCAA D1 volleyball eligibility competing on the top team for No. 12 ranked Loyola Marymount Beach Volleyball Team. While there, she received All-WCC First Team honors and nomination for the WCC Female Student-Athlete Sportsmanship Award. McKayla spent all four years of her indoor career as a six rotation outside hitter at Gonzaga University. Individually, she achieved the goal of surpassing 1,000 career kills while also being recognized for her commitment to academics as a two-time WCC All-Academic First Team member and two-time WCC All-Academic Honorable Mention.
Throughout her collegiate career she has participated in numerous ERVA beach events, several AVPnext tournaments, the 2016 USAV Beach HP Championships and the AVP tour. She had the opportunity to study under many FIVB and AVP legends including John Mayor, Betsi Flint, Diane Nelson, Billy Allen, Stafford Slick, Stanford Beach Head Coach, Andrew Fuller, and Hawaii Beach Associate Coach, Evan Silberstein. She is very excited to join the Kōkua. ohana and play a part in their mission to grow this amazing game!
Katie Schueman
Coach
Katie is entering her first year coaching with Kōkua.. She has spent the last few years in Illinois coaching indoor at Quincy University and Bradley University. She also has prior experience coaching club in both the Spokane area and Orlando, FL area.
As a player, she spent two years at North Idaho College from 2012-2014. She finished her collegiate career at Webber International University in Babson Park, FL where she had the opportunity to compete on both their indoor and beach teams. Her indoor career ended with multiple Sun Conference selections, an undefeated conference record, and an appearance in the 2016 opening round of the NAIA National Championship. On the beach, her team won the inaugural Small College National Championship in 2017.
Katie is looking forward to getting back on the sand and sharing her passion for the game with her athletes.
Billy Allen
Clinician and Coach
Billy Allen is entering his 3rd year with Kōkua. Billy grew up San Diego playing volleyball from a young age. He won his first doubles (grass) tournament with his dad at 10 years old. From there the path was clear, Billy went on to win the AAU Beach Jr Olympics at 16 and 18. Billy also played indoor in HS and College (Cal State Northridge) as a setter. He now plays professionally on the AVP and for the USA National Beach Team. Billy is a 2x AVP Seattle Open Champion.
Billy has coached for over 15 years and is the host of the volleyball coaching podcast “Coach Your Brains Out.”
Billy lived in Hermosa Beach before moving up to Post Falls last fall with his wife Janelle a former Eastern Eagle and AVP Pro from Post Falls.
Tabi Mabrey
Coach
As an experienced volleyball player of 20 years, I am thrilled to be a part of a beach team once again. My passion for the sport began early on in my personal career, having won AAU Nationals in 2007, played collegiate indoor volleyball at both UNLV and UMary, and even tried out for the USA team. While at UNLV, I was introduced to beach volleyball, and my love for the sport only grew from there, often playing almost every day.
As a coach for the past 15 years, I have had the opportunity to work with various camps, clubs, and high schools. Beach volleyball coaching is an exciting new challenge that I am eager to take on, as it presents unique obstacles such as movement fundamentals, ball handling skills, game strategy, and the physical and mental demands of the sport. These are all reasons why beach volleyball holds a special place in my heart.
I have faced some tough conditions throughout my career, including playing in sideways rain where we had to adjust our serving technique to combat the strong winds. As an adult, one of my favorite tournaments is Seaside, and I will always have a deep appreciation for indoor volleyball, but my love for beach volleyball has truly captured my heart.
I am looking forward to an amazing season of coaching, learning, and growing with everyone. I truly believe that everyone has the potential to continue learning, growing, and spreading knowledge and love of the game.
Kylie Beckett
Coach
Kylie Beckett is entering her 4th year with Kōkua. Kylie played collegiate beach volleyball at College of the Desert in beautiful Palm Springs, CA. She has been playing sand volleyball and indoor volleyball for 7 years. Kylie competed in Evergreen Region's junior sand volleyball league and placed 1st three out of the four years. She is now competing in adult sand tournaments and leagues where she regularly finishes in the top three. Kylie has placed 1st at Seaside Beach Tournament three times, and 2nd once. As a student of the game she is looking forward to coming home and sharing skills and experience with her ohana at Kōkua Beach VBC.
Liza Lee
Coach
Liza Lee is a passionate volleyball coach with a lifetime of experience in the sport, and a particular expertise in beach volleyball. Born and raised in Spokane, Liza has been playing volleyball since she was a child, and she's racked up an impressive record of accomplishments in beach volleyball competitions. She's taken 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishes in her division at the Seaside Beach Volleyball Tournament over the years, a feat that's not easily accomplished.
Liza's love for beach volleyball led her to pursue playing the sport in college, where she continued to excel. She played for the club team at Grand Canyon University and spent her free time playing sand volleyball. Her dedication to the game and her ability to compete at the highest level make her an ideal coach for young players looking to improve their skills on the beach.
With her deep understanding of the nuances of beach volleyball and her years of experience as a player, Liza brings a wealth of knowledge to her coaching. She is passionate about helping her players develop not only their physical abilities but also their mental strength and confidence on the sand. Liza looks forward to a great season and helping her players achieve their goals in the exciting world of beach volleyball.
Joel Evans
Coach
Joel Evens is entering his 2nd year with Kōkua and he is one of Spokane’s amazing athletes. While he has only been playing beach volleyball since 2008, he has evolved as an athlete and a coach. Joel has been active in the beach and indoor scene competing in Seaside, Spike2Care, ERVA, and various tournaments and leagues in the area.
Joel is no stranger to process of college recruiting and the high-level training it takes to make the next step after high school. Joel Graduated from North Central HS and was offered a scholarship to play Division 1 baseball in San Diego. After weighing all his options, he chose to attend Junior college at Big Bend C.C. and soon transferred to Whitworth to finish out his college career. His commitment to hard work and development landed him a coaching position at Whitworth. As a father he has focused his coaching to volleyball. He has been coaching indoor for the past 3 years and is looking to expand his knowledge by adding beach.
Joel is a positive and kindhearted person which blends well with his coaching style to give candid feedback and always be honest with the kids. His love and passion for coaching players on and off the court make him a great fit for our Kōkua Ohana.
One of Joel’s rules to live as a coach and a player- “Never talk about how good you are. Show it. That extra rep, every drill, coming early stay late, be that team leader. Coaches notice”
Janelle Allen
Clinician and Coach
Janelle is entering her 2nd year with Kōkua. Janelle Allen (formerly Ruen) attended Eastern Washington University where she played volleyball and basketball. Janelle was honorable mention all-Big Sky in basketball, and three times named all-conference in volleyball, including the 2002 Big Sky Conference MVP. After graduating at EWU, Janelle moved to California and started competing on the AVP Pro Beach Tour. In 2006, Janelle was nominated for AVP Rookie of the Year and in 2008 she was nominated for Paul Mitchell Hot Shot. She has played 12 professional seasons with 20+ top ten finishes including a 2nd and 7th at FIVB international events. Janelle has coached volleyball at the collegiate, high school, and club levels over the last 15 years. She is married to Billy Allen and they have one son, Ketch.
Abby Tompkins
Coach
Abby is entering her 2nd year with Kōkua. Abby Tompkins is an accomplished beach volleyball player and coach with a passion for the sport that has been with her since childhood. Growing up in Alaska, Abby played volleyball from a young age, but it wasn't until later in life that she discovered her love for beach volleyball. She finds the sand courts to be a unique challenge that requires a combination of skill, strategy, and communication to succeed.
Over the years, Abby has honed her skills through hard work and a dedication to learning from the best. She has surrounded herself with experienced coaches and talented players, constantly seeking to improve her game. Her efforts have paid off, as she has won numerous beach volleyball tournaments and leagues, including the Alaska beach volleyball championships several times.
Abby has been an active member of the beach volleyball community in Spokane, Washington for nine years, where she has had the opportunity to play with and against some of the best athletes in the sport. Her success on the court has translated into her coaching style, as she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her players.
Abby understands that beach volleyball is a game of strategy and communication, where quick thinking and teamwork are essential to success. As a coach, she emphasizes these skills and works tirelessly to help her players develop them. Her dedication to the sport and her players has earned her a reputation as an exceptional coach, and she is a valuable asset to Kōkua and its players..
Kalyn
Coach
Bio Coming
Chelsie Day
Coach
Chelsie is a passionate volleyball coach with nearly a decade of coaching experience under her belt. Born and raised in Spokane, WA, Chelsie discovered her love for the sport at the young age of 10 and hasn't looked back since. She went on to play at a University in Canada and continued to play at a competitive level after college before discovering her true passion for coaching.
This year, Chelsie will be serving as a court coach and shadowing head coach Joel Evans. It's an exciting opportunity for her to learn from a seasoned coach and bring her expertise and coaching style to the sand. With a focus on technique, teamwork, and strategy, Chelsie is committed to helping her players succeed and reach their full potential on the beach.
While Chelsie has earned several awards as "coach of the year" in indoor volleyball, she's eager to learn the nuances of the beach game and continuously improve her coaching skills. Her love for the sport is contagious, and she's dedicated to fostering that same love in her players.
Chelsie currently resides in Spokane Valley with her husband and three children, all of whom have caught the volleyball bug from their mom. When she's not on the court coaching or playing, you can find Chelsie spending time with her family or exploring the great outdoors in the Pacific Northwest.
Mack Tate
Coach
Bio Coming
Daniel Chilimidos
Coach
Kōkua is excited to introduce our newest sand coach, Daniel Chilimidos III, who brings a wealth of beach volleyball experience to our team. Daniel has been playing beach volleyball for five years and is determined to continue his passion for the sport while pursuing his academic interests in accounting at Gonzaga University.
Last year, Daniel competed in the U18's division of the Seaside Volleyball Tournament and earned an impressive 3rd place finish. His love for beach volleyball started in 8th grade, and since then, he has been devoted to honing his skills on the sand. Beach volleyball has not only helped Daniel grow as a player but also as a person.
"I am thrilled to start this new chapter of my volleyball journey with Kōkua coaching," says Coach Daniel. "I have always been passionate about beach volleyball, and I am excited to share my knowledge and experience with other players."
Jack Judge
Coach
Bio Coming
Amy O'Connell
Coach
Amy first set foot on the sand court 8 years ago and beach volleyball has quickly become her passion. As a former collegiate right side from the University of Idaho, she is no stranger to hard work. Playing sand volleyball adds the challenge of finding the balance between mental toughness, strategy, and intention she hasn't encountered before.
Amy has been coaching camps, club, and private lessons over the past 15 years. She loves the challenge, camaraderie and competition of playing sports; and hopes that her experience and love for the game transfers over to our young athletes.
Mark Felchlin
Coach
Mark is a dedicated volleyball coach with 7 years of experience who has a passion for helping young men reach their full potential on and off the beach volleyball court. With 10 years of playing experience, including 3 years of College Club Volleyball at EWU and competing in the Seaside tournament where he placed 2nd in the Boys 18s division, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to every coaching session.
Mark's experience as a player has given him a deep understanding of the beach volleyball game, and he leverages this knowledge to connect with athletes on a personal level. He has transitioned to coaching, where he focuses on developing young men not just as athletes but as individuals. Mark strives to instill the values of teamwork, leadership, and sportsmanship, while also helping athletes develop the skills they need to succeed on the beach volleyball court.
In addition to his coaching experience, Mark spent 7 weeks coaching beach volleyball in Santa Barbara, California, under the guidance of Jon Lee, where he gained valuable experience working with a diverse group of athletes and honed his coaching skills. This experience provided him with the opportunity to learn different techniques and strategies for coaching beach volleyball.
Mark's approach to coaching is personalized and tailored to each athlete's unique needs and goals, with a focus on developing young men for success both on and off the beach volleyball court. He understands that beach volleyball requires a unique set of skills, including agility, ball control, and quick decision-making. Mark is committed to helping every player reach their full potential as both an athlete and a person through training, strategy development, and mental preparation.
Makayla Beckett
Coach
Bio Coming
Alisa Kim
Coach
Bio Coming
Chan Esperas
Director/Coach
Chan Esperas has over 28 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.