VOLLEYBALL COACHES CORNER

AMANDA SAMMONS

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 to date. Amanda has six 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 private and semi private training coach.

Throughout all of this, Amanda is a full time working mom with two little ones 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 our 16u Select team this 2022 season

Colleen Maher-Minor

Colleen comes to Pulse Volleyball with 40 years of volleyball coaching experience total. She has 30 years at the varsity volleyball level including 5 years at Morenci, 5 years at Carlson and 20 years at Wyandotte. For the past 10 years to present Colleen is the 8th grade volleyball coach for Wyandotte Wilson Middle School.

When asked what she loves about coaching, Colleen says she "loves to teach and see athletes achieve success with their skills. Remembering to master a skill is a process and is different for everyone. Watching a team learn, bond together, and have FUN, is the most gratifying experience!!"

Being an athlete herself, Colleen always saw coaching as an extension of her love for sports. "Coaching is much harder than playing the game - but I love a challenge!!"

When Colleen is not coaching she loves to spend time with her husband and family. She also loves to travel, golf, read, stay active (walks everyday) and of course a spectator of many sports!

We are excited to have Colleen back on board this upcoming 2022 club season! She will be coaching our 13u team.

OLIVIA MCKINNEY

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 2022 club athletes coming to Pulse!

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

AL EDWARDS

Pulse Volleyball is excited to have Al Edwards on staff this 2022 winter season! Al brings in an increased level of experience and passion for the game. He is currently the head volleyball coach at Wyandotte Roosevelt High School (2014-current). In 2015 he helped lead Roosevelt to a league and district title.

Al has an impressive resume that spans both college and high school teams. He was the head coach at Lincoln Park for 20 years (1988-2007), assistant coach at University of Michigan-Dearborn (most recently 1990-2013) and at Madonna University (1995-1996). Al is also a coach/director for the Victors Volleyball program. Most recently Al was nominated for MIVCA Hall of Fame.

Al is a technician of the game. He is able to break down skills to help athletes develop a stronger foundation of volleyball. He is going to be a valued addition to our coaching staff and we are very excited to have him on board! Al will be coaching the 14u local teams this 2022 winter season

Mackenzie Kaiser

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 state team.

Lynsey Schweizer

Lynsey Schweizer started her volleyball career in high school at Lincoln Park. After high school, Lynsey obtained her bachelor's degree in teaching at Eastern Michigan University. When she isn't at volleyball, she's either at Lincoln Park High School, where she is a paraprofessional or she's doing work with her self-owned photography business. She's loved volleyball since she was first introduced to it; therefore, she jumped at the chance to coach when the opportunity arose to her. She is currently the JV coach at Lincoln Park and is excited for the opportunity to coach with Pulse this year! She hopes to encourage the girls to build their skill level, while helping them learn to love volleyball as much as she does.

Lynsey will be coaching one of our 14u teams alongside Al Edwards. We are very excited for this duo to be together! Welcome to Pulse Volleyball Club Lynsey!!

Ava Mangiapane

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 one of our 13u club coaches for the 2022 club season! We love having you with us Coach Ava and we know the girls love to have you as a coach!

Caryn Hojnicki

Caryn is joining Pulse this season and we are excited she will be coaching a 12U team. Caryn comes to us with a wealth of volleyball coaching experience and especially enjoys teaching young players the fundamentals of the game.

Caryn moved back to Southeast Michigan where she grew up playing volleyball at Woodhaven High. She has several years of both school and club coaching behind her. This fall she will be assisting Woodhaven High School JV and can't wait to get back on the court in their brand new gym! Upon her return to Michigan she coached 12U at Total Volleyball Travel in Monroe. In Indiana she coached 2 club teams at Hoosierland Volleyball Academy and 3 seasons at Bloomington High School South. She assisted with Varsity the 1st season and head coached the Freshman team the remainder of her tenure. Before relocating to Bloomington she spent some time in the Northwest. While in the Columbia Empire Valley Association (CEVA) Region she coached 14s and 12s at Alpine Volleyball Club, Hillsboro Volleyball Club, NW Reign and OJVA. She also coached high school Freshman for two years at Hillsboro High School. Before that Caryn coached in the Ohio Valley Region (OVR) at Toledo Volleyball Club for two years with the 12s and conducted private lessons. She also volunteered at Notre Dame Junior Academy in Toledo, Ohio as the 7th Grade head coach. Just before that Caryn coached at Huron High School in Michigan as the JV assistant coach and then the JV head coach. In addition to her strong coaching background, Caryn has also coordinated youth and adult volleyball programs for Flat Rock Community Center.

When Caryn is not coaching volleyball she loves to play! She started the women’s & co-ed leagues at Flat Rock Community Center when it first opened and participated in both leagues. She loves watching her son Brennan play a variety of sports and her daughters Hadleigh & Callie dance. Her family loves to travel. She has a goal of going to a baseball game at every Major League Baseball stadium with her husband Corey (they already have 20 down and 10 to go)!

Welcome to Pulse Volleyball Club Caryn!!

Jill Garcia

Jill's volleyball career started out in the eighth grade where she immediately fell in love with the sport! Jill is an assistant varsity coach at Lincoln Park High School. She joined Pulse Volleyball Club coaching staff in 2021. When asked why she wants to coach club, Jill "likes the opportunity coaching club gives her to help shape the future of volleyball and be a positive influence for young girls from all over the downriver and surrounding areas." When she is not coaching Jill likes to spend time with her family and soon to be little boy!! Jill will be coaching 16u local teams this winter. Welcome back to Pulse Jill!

Jenna Burns

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.

We are excited to have Jenna on our coaching staff this 2022 club season as our 10u winter club coach. We look forward to our 10u's learning and loving the game just like their coach. Welcome to Pulse Volleyball Club Jenna!

Amanda Ynclan

We are excited to welcome back Amanda Ynclan to the Pulse Volleyball Club coaching staff! Amanda started coaching her senior year of high school. She was always inspired by her coaches she worked with. "The excitement my coaches brought is the same energy I wished to bring to the court." When asked why does she coach Amanda said "I love watching players develop not only their individual skills but their court awareness. Nothing is more rewarding as a player or coach than the moment everything clicks." When Amanda is not coaching she is teaching, hiking and spending as much time outside as she can. Amanda will be coaching one of our 13u teams this 2022 winter season. Welcome back Amanda!!

Kylie Laginess

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

Kylie began playing volleyball here at Pulse after being cut from the seventh grade team at Allen Park. The Pulse clinics over the summer gave her the skills she needed to make the eighth grade team that fall. Kylie continued playing volleyball throughout high school and at Pulse her freshman and sophomore years. She graduated from Allen Park High School in 2021 after playing three years of varsity as a setter.

When asked why she wants to coach, Kylie stated "I am looking forward to helping young girls find confidence within themselves, as that was my biggest struggle throughout my volleyball journey." Kylie wants to show athletes that with hard work and dedication, you can achieve whatever you put your mind to, volleyball related or not. Her favorite thing about coaching is seeing the moment that hard work does pay off, when an athlete or team succeeds in their goals.

In her free time, Kylie loves to spend time outdoors, play with and walk her dog, paint or draw, and spend time with family and friends!

Kylie will be coaching one of our 12u teams this 2022 winter season. Welcome to the coaching side of Pulse Volleyball Club Kylie! We are excited to have you on board!

Emily Johnson

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

Emily started her volleyball career in the 7th grade after her friends begged her to play the entire year before. She finally gave in and tried out for the LPMS 7th grade team. Emily didn’t have high hopes of making the team since she never played before but little did she know not only would she make the team but she would fall in love with the sport. Emily continued to play through the rest of middle school and then into high school making JV my freshman year. Emily played all throughout high school alternating from libero and DS.

Emily loves coaching because of the connections and bonds you are able to make with your team. She loves helping people every chance she gets. "My goal as a coach is to make an impact on at least one kid's life and hopefully bettering them as not only an individual but making them the best player they can be." Children are easily impacted by others. I remember playing sports throughout the years and I had the most fun and learned so much while playing. I wish to do the same for others.

When Emily is not coaching she likes to be outdoors and going on walks or going to nature trails. "Fresh air makes me feel so much better even if it’s to just lay in my hammock with my dog."

Emily will be coaching one of our 13u teams this 2022 winter season. Welcome to Pulse Volleyball Club Emily! We are excited to have you on board!

Maria Holder

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

Maria has been playing volleyball since fourth grade and began playing club for Victors when she was twelve. Maria was the JV starting setter as a freshman in high school at Cabrini. She played three years of varsity at Cabrini with two of those years as a libero.

Her favorite thing about coaching is getting to pass her love for the game onto a younger generation of people and staying involved with the sport she loves. "I started helping my dad coach a middle school volleyball team when I was still in high school. I wanted to coach because it was a way for me to bond with my dad and to increase my own knowledge of the sport."

When Maria is not coaching she likes to watch volleyball and do arts and crafts.

Maria will be coaching our 14u white team this 2022 winter season. Welcome to Pulse Volleyball Club Maria! We are excited to have you on board!

Alexandra Repasky

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!"

Alex will be coaching our small group training sessions this 2022 winter season. Welcome to Pulse Volleyball Club Alex! We are excited to have you on board!!