2023/24 Girls Coaches
McKayla Ferris
Mindfulness Coach
and
U17/18 Hybrid Head Beach Coach
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 Kokua ohana and play a part in their mission to grow this amazing game!
A note from our Mindfulness Coach:
The modern world has our brains abuzz. From social media, to iPhones, to late-night Netflix binges, our minds are always in over-drive. Mindfulness practice is one of the most powerful tools that can help us slow down, live in the moment, and find a peaceful energy within ourselves.
A combination of intentional breathing, positive thinking and visualization exercises will not only unlock the key to better athletic performance but will also lead to a decrease in stress and anxiety, an improvement in concentration and strengthening of relationships. I look forward working with Kokua Volleyball Club as we navigate the benefits of mindfulness practice together!
What does mindfulness mean to you?
Chelsea McShane
U11 Head Coach
Chelsea is starting her 1st year with Kōkua! Chelsea was an Outside Hitter for Brigham Young University from 2004-2008. As a Two-Time All-American, she helped her team finish in the Elite Eight of the NCAA finals. Upon finishing her college career, she played professionally in Puerto Rico for one season. She graduated from BYU with a Health Science Education degree. She became a high school Health and Anatomy Teacher and coach.
She grew up in a volleyball family with two older sisters that played college volleyball. Her favorite memory is peppering in her front yard for hours with them. She played Varsity all 4 years in High School and was a two-time Arizona State Player of the Year. Today, she loves playing in leagues and tournaments through the Region and has recently developed a love for sand volleyball.
She has coached all levels of volleyball, including Division 1 at BYU as an assistant coach. She coached high school varsity in Utah, club volleyball of all ages, and numerous camps and clinics over the past 15 years. Her coaching style is positive with an emphasis on the details of the fundamentals. She loves watching kids fail, try again, then succeed. Grit and hard work are required to be an excellent athlete, and Chelsea expects that from her players.
Nate Wright
U11 Assistant Coach
Nate started playing volleyball as a freshman in high school with the U18 boys’ volleyball club, under Kevin and Barb Twohig. After graduating high school and attending a local college, was asked if he would like to be a club coach. Since then he has been coaching the sport of volleyball for over 20 years sharing his love and passion for the game. Coaching multiple levels of club from U11-U18, he has taken (or qualified) 6 teams within a 10 years span to the Junior National Championships. Along with coaching club, he is the current varsity assistant at Central Valley High School and has coached 7th grade varsity through high school at Gonzaga Prep, Greenacres Jr. High, Evergreen Jr High, Valley Christian, and All Saints. He continues to see that his players are being selected to play at the college level from NAIA up to Division 1. Nate has been developing players to elevate their level of play, pursue and surpass their goals, and learn life lessons through sports that translate into real world situations.
Abby Tompkins
U12 Head Coach
Bio Coming
Kalyn Menzies
U12 Assistant Coach
Bio Coming
Joel Evan
U13 Head Coach
Joel Evens is entering his 1st year of indoor and 2nd year of sand 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”
Michel Ornelas
U13 Assistant Coach
Kayce Lampman
U14 Head Coach
Coach Kayce, in her first year with Kokua, brings a wealth of volleyball experience and a profound love for the game. Her journey into the world of volleyball started in Spokane, where the sport became an integral part of her life.
Her introduction to volleyball was as a spectator, watching her sister play for a few years. Recognizing her growing passion, her parents enrolled her in a developmental team when she was just 8 years old. Thus began her personal journey with the sport that would become a lifelong love.
Throughout her teenage years, Coach Kayce's dedication and skill led her to a significant milestone: receiving a bid to nationals during her U16s year, where she showcased her talents as a setter under Coach Chan's guidance. Her high school years were marked by her participation at Gonzaga Prep, and she continued her volleyball career at Spokane Falls Community College.
Coach Kayce's coaching journey commenced at LC, where she has spent the last three years honing her coaching skills. She has also been a dedicated club coach for the past four years. Her enthusiasm and commitment to nurturing young talent align seamlessly with Kokua's values, and she eagerly anticipates creating lasting memories for young athletes and their families as a proud member of the Kōkua family.
Kaitlyn Royer
U14 Assistant Coach
Morgan Ness
U16 Head Coach
Bio Coming Soon
Hannah Reiman
U16 Assistant Coach
Hannah is in her second year coaching for Kokua. Having grown up in the Spokane area, she played middle blocker in high school for Chan as well as at Central Valley HS. Some of her accomplishments in her volleyball career include a team place at state with CV and national bid with her club team. She was also a track and field athlete and holds the high school league record for triple jump. For college, Hannah attended the University of Idaho where she chose to continue her track and field career as a triple jumper. Since moving back to the area, she has sparked her love for coaching. She has coached volleyball at Mt. Spokane HS and track and field at CV for the last 2 years. She is so excited to share her love for competition and volleyball with Kokua, and feels so lucky to be able to come back and create more positive volleyball memories for young athletes.
Dan Kilgore
U16 Cheney Team Coach
Bio Coming
U16 Cheney Team Coach
Branden Mount
Katie Schueman
U17/18 Hybrid Indoor
Head Coach
Katie is entering her second season 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 court and sand to sharing her passion for the game with her athletes.
Mack Tate
U17/18 Hybrid Indoor and Beach Assistant
Chan Esperas
Club Director
Bio Coming