2024/25 Boys Coaches
Club Director
Chan Esperas
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.
Boys Indoor Manager / U16 Coach
Mark Felchlin
Coach Mark is going into his 4th season as a coach with Kōkua. He is a passionate volleyball coach with eight years of experience, dedicated to helping young men reach their full potential both on and off the court. Recently, 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, engaging in friendly pickleball matches, and are expecting their first child in October.
McKayla Ferris
Mindfulness Coach
and
U17/18 Girls Hybrid Head Beach Coach
McKayla Ferris is entering her 5th 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?
U12 Coach
Shannon Dayton
Shannon has a deep passion for volleyball. Growing up in Spokane, she played club volleyball and competed at Ferris High School before continuing as a Setter for Concordia College-New York. Shannon has coached girls' club and high school volleyball for several years. Last year, her boys joined Kokua's U-12 team, where she had an enjoyable time coaching. She is excited for another season filled with player development, learning, and fostering a love for the sport.
U12 Coach
Erin Alkire
Bio Coming
U14 Coach
Katie Naipo
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 7th season of coaching volleyball, 4th 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.
U14 Coach
Mike Walton
Bio Coming
Ailahni Mae Viloria is entering her first 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.
U18 Coach
Ailahni Viloria
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U18 Coach
Kuni Diorec
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 fifth 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 20, daughter Courtney 27, and son Brandon 30.