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 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 2023 winter season. Welcome to Pulse Volleyball Club Emily! We are excited to have you on board!

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

Coach Hana is in her first year with us at Pulse Volleyball Club. When asked what she loves about coaching she says "I love connecting with my players and being able to see each of their personalities shine through on the court. Being able to motivate and encourage them to not just be better players, but better individuals, is something I really love and take close to heart." Coach Hana started coaching at a young age. Although she wasn't actively looking for the opportunity, she is grateful it did happen because she fell in love with it! "Looking back on my own athletic career, I never really had a coach that I truly connected with, that pushed me to be better, or was another positive influence in my life." And because of this,  Hana strives to be a better coach to the players she comes across. She knows and understands the impact she could have on a young athlete's life!

Outside of coaching Hana is a licensed massage therapist and specializes in sports performance and rehabilitation for professional athletes. "When I am not coaching, I can be found working on my NFL clients. In my down time, I love relaxing on my couch with a good book in hand and spending time with my family and friends. On the weekends, you can also find me playing in a women's volleyball league with my friends."

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