The AVCA is pleased to announce its newest class of Coaches 4 Coaches Scholarship recipients. This program’s funds cover registration and hotel costs to bring a group of 18 up-and-coming volleyball coaches to their first AVCA Convention.

“On behalf of the committee I would like to congratulate the 2024 scholarship recipients,” says Jaime Gordon, AVCA CEO and Coaches 4 Coaches Committee Chair. “There was a tremendous pool of applicants for our 16th year, and that made the committee’s work challenging.

“We are confident that this group of 18 represents the passion and commitment of their peers and that they will be outstanding ambassadors for the Coaches 4 Coaches program. I am grateful for the time and commitment that the committee has dedicated to these applicants, as well as the many individuals that give so generously to make this program possible.”

During the Convention, which will take place Dec. 18-22 in Louisville, Kentucky, scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to network with successful coaches from all levels and take part in a diverse group of educational opportunities that make this an annual can’t-miss event.

Here is more information on this year’s 18 Coaches 4 Coaches recipients:

Megan Alders
Wright State University
Graduate Assistant

“Megan is a hard worker, a quick learner, and passionate about Wright State and the sport of volleyball. I knew after assigning tasks to her they were going to get done quickly, which has allowed us to teach her more and more things. She has a great energy about her, and she is excited about this as a career path. She is someone that is very excited about learning and wants to get better.” — Travers Green, Wright State University Head Volleyball Coach 

Julia Bishop
Michigan State University
Student-Athlete

“One of the most important qualities of any coach is their adherence to a set of personal values, and Julia has embodied our values of service, growth, and honor to the highest degree. Her commitment to serving her teammates, constantly seeking improvement, and upholding integrity both on and off the court is a testament to the kind of leader and role model she is.” — Leah Johnson, Michigan State University Head Volleyball Coach

Julia Brooks
Troy University
Graduate Assistant – Athletic Administration

“Julia is a loving friend, a caring teammate, and a leader that is committed to doing things the right way with full integrity to her name. She carries herself with humble confidence and brings out the best in others. She also understands the sacrifices that loved ones in her life have made for her success and continually shows and expresses genuine gratitude for those people and their sacrifices.” — Joshua Lauer, Troy University Head Volleyball Coach

Maggie Burns
Morehead State University
Graduate Assistant Coach

“The attribute that I believe separates Maggie most from others is her true passion to see athletes grow not only on the court but off. She puts in extra time and focus on connecting with athletes in a way in which to develop their confidence, accountability, master time management and teamwork skills. Maggie not only helps athletes to develop these traits within themselves, but she is also a true reflection of these characteristics.”  — Courtney Robinson-Dixon, Louisville Assumption High School Volleyball Assistant Coach 

Andrew Diaz de Padilla
Jacksonville University
Third Assistant Coach

“I cannot understate how valuable Andrew was in this role. He set an example for the younger guys, mentored them, provided a stable veteran court presence, and frankly was an elite babysitter. Andrew is absolutely passionate and competitive, but he manages to channel that into a calming, positive, and supportive presence. That is something I believe our profession needs more of.” — Nathan Matthews, Wittenberg University Head Volleyball Coach

Abigail Elder
Houston Christian University
Assistant Coach

“What makes Abigail remarkable is her passion for developing as a coach. She is constantly asking questions, seeking to understand the nuances of practice strategies, team culture, and overall program development. She has dedicated herself to learning from others in the coaching community and takes every opportunity to enhance her coaching philosophy.” — Rachel Calderon Brubaker, Austin State University Assistant Beach Volleyball Coach

Elly Frierson
University of Wyoming
Assistant Coach

“The greatest testament to Elly’s strength is she worked as our Director of Camp Enrollment for two consecutive summers. That position is a non-stop, labor intensive, ‘damage control’ organizational nightmare. Elly’s work was seamless, and as such, our camps ran smoothly in all-things operations. We were sorry to lose Elly to Wyoming but certainly understood what a great opportunity that job provided.” — Mary Wise, University of Florida Head Women’s Volleyball Coach

Julia Kurowski
University at Buffalo
Assistant Volleyball Coach/DOVO

“Julia has the personality and demeanor to excel as a coach at any level of volleyball. Her ability to relate her experiences and first-hand knowledge as a player have a positive effect on our team. Her passion for training and teaching the sport is evident on the practice court, in the office, and on the sideline, and she is an excellent role model for our team.” — Scott Smith, University of Buffalo Head Women’s Volleyball Coach

Brendan Leong
D’Youville University
Assistant Men’s Volleyball Coach

“As an athlete, from day on, Brendan hit the ground running: doing anything that was asked of him, going above and beyond on any project. As a coach, he is constantly looking for more and more opportunities to grow, even though the coaching life is a grind, and it is not for everyone. I can assure you that the life is most certainly for Brendan. He has consistently taken advantage of many opportunities that have crossed his path and has continued to flourish because of them.” —Daniel Miranda, Buffalo State University Head Men’s Volleyball Coach

Nathan Marshall
Indiana Tech
Graduate Assistant Men’s Coach

“Nathan Marshall is exactly the type of coach our sport is always looking for. He is giving, hard-working, and has a special passion for every facet of the sport. He is always looking for more ways to be involved with the sport. He started officiating in his free time, and he understands the value of having an official who understood and cared for the game to make sure other coaches and players could have the best possible experiences.” — Ben Cutrone, Purdue University Performance Analysist  

Barrett Power
University of South Dakota
Graduate Student-Athlete

“Barrett has not experienced a smooth path as an athlete, and if I had to sum up her character as a player and teammate in one word, that word is selfless. Barrett was a highly recruited and decorated player coming into college and found herself in a small playing role as a freshman. This did not deter her from being the best possible leader, cheerleader and teammate to all of her fellow Rams.” — Emily Kohan, Colorado State University Head Volleyball Coach

Macenzie Richards
North Carolina A&T State University
Assistant Coach

“Her insight during matches and practices shows she has a good understanding of the game. After her time as a player, she coached club, and it was fun watching her with her team at the tournaments. The kids responded to her, and it was clear she had a connection with them. She is truly a young and up and coming collegiate coach.” — Hal Clifton, North Carolina A&T State University Head Volleyball Coach

Samantha Rossetti
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Graduate Assistant Coach

“Sam possesses a natural talent for coaching. She has taken the initiative to mentor younger athletes, demonstrating patience and insight that help them improve their skills. She understands the importance of fostering a positive environment, emphasizing teamwork and sportsmanship. Her communication skills allow her to connect with athletes of various skill levels, making her an effective and respected leader.” — Samantha Birkicht, University of Wisconsin-Platteville Head Women’s Volleyball Coach 

Emma Stickley
Kalamazoo College
Assistant Coach/Director of Data Operations

“Emma has been an integral part of our program, contributing to our team’s growth both on and off the court. Her strategic insights and ability to connect with players have not only elevated our performance but also fostered a positive and motivating team culture. She stepped into a role under myself as a first year Head Coach and has not only been an integral part of our cultural rebuild, but my success in year one.” — Morgan Lemner, Kalamazoo College Head Volleyball Coach 

Samuel Summers
Coker University
Graduate Assistant/Assistant Coach

“Sam has been a part of the Coker Volleyball program for two months. He is a recent graduate and he has been thrown into the fire of college coaching, as he is my only assistant. As a young professional, he has a strong desire to learn and he wants to eventually be a head college coach. There is no other organization or event that can help grow him better than the AVCA Convention.” — Stephanie Dragan, Coker University Head Volleyball Coach  

AnnaBelle Tomei
Virginia Commonwealth University
Graduate Assistant

“She’s insightful, possesses a keen eye for the game, works tirelessly, and cares deeply for the athletes. I believe the volleyball community will benefit from having AnnaBelle Tomei in its coaching ranks. She is conscientious, humble, good hearted, and a thoughtful teacher. I am confident your investment in AnnaBelle will be returned to the community.” — Tim Doyle, Virginia Commonwealth University Head Volleyball Coach

Ava Vlkovic
Western Carolina Volleyball
Graduate Assistant/ Assistant Coach

“Not only does she fulfill the role of director of operations, but she is also actively involved with coaching our defense. She will be on the road recruiting this spring as one of our countable coaches. She is eager to learn and grow as a coach. I believe she would greatly benefit from attending convention where she could find additional mentors to help with her development.” — Karen Glover, Western Carolina University Head Women’s Volleyball Coach

Sherry Rietz
Hazel Park Schools
Teacher/Volleyball Program Director/Varsity Coach

Sherry Rietz of Hazel Park Schools, part of the C4C Class of 2023, also is being recognized as the recipient of the Vong Family Endowment. The Endowment, which was started by Sandy Vong and his children in 2021, is a continuation of their love for the sport. Sandy was the first women’s volleyball coach at the University of Michigan, served as an advisor to the U.S. Women’s National Team for a decade, and is a member of the AVCA Hall of Fame.

To qualify for the C4C Scholarship, applicants must be active AVCA members who have never attended an AVCA Convention before. The selection committee reviewed the applications and makes their decisions based on many factors.

These scholarships are funded through the generous donations of AVCA-member coaches and other advocates for up-and-coming coaches including the AAU, which hosts a social event at the AVCA Convention benefitting the fund. To help continue the Coaches 4 Coaches program, please donate today.