VOLLEYBALL COACHES CORNER

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Amanda Sammons started her volleyball career at Wyandotte Roosevelt High School and went on to play at University of Pikeville where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management.  

Amanda started her coaching career at Wyandotte where she was the freshman coach for two years and the assistant varsity coach for two years (along side Colleen Maher-Minor).  In 2009, Amanda took over the Grosse Ile program and has helped that program become one of the established premiere programs of downriver through 2021.  Amanda has eleven years of coaching experience at the club level with one AAU 18u Club level state title during that time.  She has also started her own Volley Tots program in the winter of 2015 and has watched that program grow every year.  Amanda wears many hats for Pulse Volleyball including club season coach, clinics coach and when she is able she runs semi private training sessions.  

Throughout all of this, Amanda is a full time working mom with two kids of her own at home.  She is a US Customs Licensed Broker for a busy and successful company.  Her work ethic and drive to excel will be a great asset for Pulse athletes to model themselves after.  Amanda will be coaching this winter 2023 club season.

Pulse Volleyball Club would like to welcome back Olivia McKinney!  Olivia started coaching because she "loved the game and wanted to help others learn to love it as much as" she does.  Her volleyball career started out as a four year varsity volleyball athlete at Lincoln Park High School.  Olivia is a graduate of Wayne State University where she played on their club volleyball team.  She graduated with a degree in mathematics with the goal of having a career in actuarial science.  

Olivia coached for two years as the Varsity Assistant Lincoln Park High School.  She is currently the Varsity head coach at Lincoln Park High School. She has also coached at the freshman level as well.  She is excited to be a part of the Pulse coaching staff. Olivia believes this opportunity will allow her a chance to help more athletes learn the game of volleyball that she would normally never get an opportunity to work with.  She's excited to share the love she has for the game with the 2023 club athletes coming to Pulse!  

Olivia will be coaching 16u local teams this winter.  Welcome back to Pulse Olivia!

Mackenzie played four years of varsity volleyball at Flat Rock High School. She started coaching (right out of high school) in 2012 at the 8th grade level. She went on to coach 15u and 16u for four years at Atomic Volleyball Club. Mackenzie is in her third year as the Varsity Flat Rock High School coach. 

Mackenzie always knew she wanted to stay in the game after she tore her ACL her senior year. Sitting on the bench watching plays develop and helping her teammates with what she was seeing on the court developed her real passion for coaching. Then, after her first season of coaching, she knew immediately that it was what she wanted to do. "I love being in the gym and being around the girls and watching them become better volleyball players and better humans."

Pulse Volleyball Club is excited to have Mackenzie on staff. She will be coaching our 16u/17u select team. 

I started playing volleyball in 4th grade through the Michigan Victors program. After my first year, I moved to Michigan Elite and after a couple years playing there I found my club volleyball home with Coach Amanda and Anna at Pulse Volleyball. I played volleyball at APMS 7th & 8th grade and and began my high school experience playing as a Libero on J.V my freshman year and finished my last three years as a DS on Varsity. 

What I love the most about coaching is teaching girls about volleyball, sportsmanship, and working together as a team. I try to teach all the girls that playing a sport is suppose to be fun and a positive experience. I started coaching because I wanted to share my love and passion for the sport. When I am coaching, I don't think my girls realize the impact they have on me. I continue to learn through them as well and grow even stronger as a coach! I really appreciate the positive vibes and energy that Pulse Volleyball Club encourages!! 

When I’m not coaching I like to spend time with my family and friends. I also enjoy spending quiet time reading. I like going on adventures/travel no matter how big or small.

Ava will be returning as an assistant coach this 2023 club season! We love having you with us Coach Ava and we know the girls love to have you as a coach!

Jenna has been playing volleyball for 7 years. She started coaching this past summer for Pulse Volleyball's summer program. She was able to work with all different age groups and work on skill breakdown at every level. When asked why she started to coach Jenna responded "because I want to inspire athletes to have fun with a sport that I’m passionate about!" Who wouldn't want to have a coach with that kind of energy on their staff?! When Jenna is not coaching she is either playing volleyball or hanging out with her friends and family. 

While in college Jenna has taken the role of social media content creator. But she will be back to coach!!

Pulse Volleyball Club is excited to have another sister duo coaching!!

Megan is coming back from a mini coaching hiatus and joining her sister Amanda in coaching our 16u Select team. Megan played four year years of collegiate volleyball at University of Michigan Dearborn. She started coaching in 2012 and has worked with ages from 10u through 16u. 

"What I absolutely love about coaching is the growth. I love helping guide young athletes with skills that can help them on and off the court. Teaching new techniques and witnessing the moment everything 'clicks' and then watching the excitement and confidence it brings is such a rewarding experience!" 

"Full transparency, after taking a break from the sport and coaching to rest from burnout, I was able to fall back in love with the sport. I started playing in an adult league and the thought of getting back to coaching has crossed my mind multiple times. Getting back to the community and my roots, plus working along side my sister, is why I wanted to get back to coaching."

Megan likes to read, travel, spend time with her husband and fur child Vader, and experience new things. 

Welcome back to volleyball Megan!! Pulse Volleyball Club is excited to have you on board!!

We are excited to introduce Alex to the Pulse Volleyball Club coaching staff!!

"Hello, my name is Alexandra Repasky and this is my fifth year coaching volleyball. I started playing volleyball when I was eight years old and my passion for the game continues to grow each time I step into the gym. I have coached JV, Varsity, Club and College Club throughout my coaching career. In 2019, I was named to AVCA’s 30 under 30. I am thankful to have had a long and successful volleyball career as a player, and a lot of that is due to the coaches I had the privilege of playing for. Those coaches inspired me to continue my volleyball career passed playing in the hopes that I’ll be able to help others grow passion for the game. When I’m not in the gym, or my day job, you’ll likely catch me binging reality TV or reading mystery novels!"

 Welcome to Pulse Volleyball Club Alex! We are excited to have you on board!! 

Pulse Volleyball Club is excited to introduce Kaley to the Pulse Volleyball Club coaching staff!!!

Kaley has been playing volleyball for 15 years. She has coached for 3 years and played a year of college volleyball at Washtenaw Community College. Kaley graduated from Eastern Michigan with a Bachelors in Health Administration. 

When asked why she loves to coach Kaley said "I love seeing the improvement of kids and sharing the love of the game. Watching the team bond, having fun and learning is an awesome thing to see and be a part of." Kaley started coaching because she has had a lot of role models growing up that shared their love and support for the game that makes her want to share her love for it with younger volleyball players. She believes coaching is a rewarding feeling and makes you appreciate a lot seeing the team bonding and being successful. "When you have a plan in your head and see it develop, it’s an awesome feeling for the coaches but more importantly the team and I love being a part of that!"

When Kaley is not coaching she is usually hanging out with her friends and family, playing volleyball or watching sports. She loves to travel and go to concerts as well!

Welcome to Pulse Volleyball Club Kaley!! We are excited to have you on board!

Pulse Volleyball Club is excited to introduce Lindsay to the Pulse Volleyball Club coaching staff!!!

Lindsay has been playing volleyball since she was in the 7th grade. "Whether it was school, AAU, sand, recreational, or just in someone's backyard, I am always trying to play. Summer is my favorite time of the year to get in extra practice and I try to play every chance I get." Lindsay started coaching because "I love the game of volleyball and I wanted to be able to share that love and encourage youths to love and enjoy the game as well." 

When she is not playing or coaching volleyball, Lindsay loves to do anything that gets her outside, even if it is just taking her dog for a walk. "I have been trying to take up golf, although not doing that well!" 

Lindsay is excited for the season and to watch the kids grow in their skills. So are we Lindsay!! Welcome to Pulse Volleyball Club Lindsay!! We are excited to have you on board!