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 16 up-and-coming volleyball coaches to their first AVCA Convention.

“Our committee had a lot of great discussions, and we really had a hard time choosing the final group of 2025 scholarship recipients,” says Jaime Gordon, AVCA CEO and Coaches 4 Coaches Committee Chair. “Each year we say the applicant pool is great, but that was especially true this time, as we spent longer than ever pouring over the group to make decisions. We are confident that these 16 individuals can continue to expand the legacy for the Coaches 4 Coaches program.”

During the Convention, which will take place Dec. 17-21 in Kansas City, Missouri, 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 16 Coaches 4 Coaches recipients:

Molly Bergin
Berry College
Assistant Indoor and Beach Volleyball Coach

“As a player, Molly exemplified excellence. She earned AVCA All-American honors, a recognition that reflected not only her talent and work ethic but also her leadership and competitive drive. Her teammates respected her for her steadiness under pressure, her team-first mentality, and her ability to elevate everyone around her. Those same qualities now make her an outstanding coach.” — Caitlyn J. Moriarty, Berry College

Carissa Chainey
Feather River College
Assistant Coach

“What sets Carissa apart is her deep understanding of the game and her ability to teach it in a way that resonates with players of all levels. She is especially skilled at developing young athletes, and her work with Plumas Volleyball Club has been a testament to that. She takes pride not just in building skills, but in building confidence and character in her athletes—something that aligns closely with the values we aim to instill in our programs. Her background, including overcoming challenges as an undersized outside hitter who worked to compete at the D1 level, has instilled in her a relentless drive that now fuels her coaching.” — Sarah Ritchie, Feather River College

Shannon Coughlin
University of Wisconsin Green Bay
Assistant Coach

“Shannon’s story is one that perfectly reflects the mission of the AVCA: developing leaders who elevate our sport. Shannon played five years at Green Bay and was a cornerstone of our program. She didn’t just compete at a high level—she defined our culture. Her leadership, character, and ability to model our standards set the tone for what Green Bay Volleyball is today.” — Abbey Sutherland, UW–Green Bay Volleyball

Garrett Custis
Laramie High School
Volunteer Assistant Coach

“Garrett dives in headfirst to whatever he decides to do, his “all in” mentality is one of the reasons I think he would make an excellent coach. In Garrett’s 2 and a half years with the Wyoming volleyball program he became a volleyball nerd and is now in tune with what is happening in the collegiate game on a national scale. Since Garrett still works in our athletic department he takes full advantage of being able to be around volleyball whenever he can.” — Kaylee Prigge, University of Wyoming

Kacper Dobrowolski
Charleston Southern University
Graduate Assistant Coach

“Since joining my program at Charleston Southern, Kacper has brought a fresh perspective, contagious passion, and tireless work ethic to our athletes and coaching staff. He spends countless hours studying film, analyzing coaching methodologies, and connecting with experienced coaches—all in pursuit of growth and excellence. His contributions have played a meaningful role in helping us rebuild our program—from one in disarray to one developing a strong and promising culture.”— Carry Brown, Charleston Southern University

Aiyana Henderson
George Fox University
Assistant Volleyball Coach and Recruiting Coordinator

“She is a natural, committed leader who excels in the practical application of coaching, showing a clear aptitude for running drills, providing focused feedback, and connecting with our athletes. Aiyana consistently commits herself to learning and growing in every aspect of her journey, actively seeking out opportunities to refine her skills and integrate new coaching concepts. Her willingness to invest her time and passion regardless of the constraints highlight a rare level of commitment to her goal of making coaching a career.” — Emily Davis (Palkert), George Fox University

Jordan Holland
University of Evansville
Graduate Assistant Coach

“It was immediately clear to me how passionate Jordan is about coaching, and as I aided her in finding her coaching voice, you could see her confidence in the gym grow daily. As we continued through the spring and now into the fall season, Jordan coaches our liberos and defensive specialists, assists in both defensive and offensive trainings, and serves as our program’s Director of Volleyball Operations, while also serving as the academic liaison on staff. I can say with the utmost confidence that my job as a collegiate volleyball coach is never easier, nor more enjoyable, than when I get to work with Jordan every day. Jordan’s drive and determination to provide the best experience for our student-athletes, all while continuing to learn and grow her own coaching skills, make her the perfect candidate.” — Zach Weinberg, University of Evansville

Isabelle Laube
Bowling Green State University
Student-Athlete

“Belle is a pivotal piece of our program’s history of success and strong team culture. She has grown as a leader and always asks, ‘How can I help?’ Her organization of community service, bonding activities, and unity buddies came from her initiative, not because she was asked to.  Her understanding of the need for culture and ability to see what the team needs—and give that—make her a valuable future coach.” — Alex DelPiombo, Bowling Green State University

Mackenzie Martin
University of North Alabama
Assistant Beach Volleyball Coach

“Mackenzie has already shown a natural ability to lead, mentor, and connect with our student-athletes. She communicates with clarity and empathy, and she has a tremendous capacity for building relationships and fostering a positive team culture. It’s clear she views coaching not just as a profession, but as a platform to impact lives. As a young coach, Mackenzie is hungry to grow, learn, and engage with the broader coaching community.” — Anna Milwee Hovater, University of North Alabama Athletics

Karly Niesen
Wheeling University
Graduate Assistant

“Beyond her statistics and accolades, Karly’s true strength lies in her ability to lead and elevate those around her. She is a natural leader who balances high standards with encouragement, making her both a respected teammate and an emerging coach. In her current role as a Graduate Assistant, Karly has already shown great promise as a teacher and mentor. Her dedication to player development, recruiting, and the behind-the-scenes demands of coaching demonstrates that she is fully invested in the profession and has the skills to thrive long term.” — Christy Benner, Wheeling University

Wil Padgett
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Student Manager

“The thing that impresses me the most about Wil is his strong character and his ability to connect with people. As a leader of a team, I consistently preach the power of relationships and communication. Work hard and be a great teammate. Wil does both of these things well. He became integrated into the fabric of our team. Through a lot of conversation, I know that he has the desire to become a leader himself one day.” —Chris Tamas, – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Julia Abramo Rocha
University of Charleston West Virginia
Women’s Volleyball Graduate Assistant Coach

“Julia is an extremely kind-hearted and caring person and volleyball coach, with copious amounts of experience for her age. She excelled as a player for a tremendous NCAA DI program at UTRGV and that has translated into a successful start to her coaching career at Charleston. Without her on the sidelines and in the offices, we would have had a very difficult time achieving the positive results that we did.” — Tyler Kanelos, Siena University

Simone Sardanelli
University of Houston
Graduate Assistant/Technical Coordinator

“His role directly is to manage all practice & match film and data, but he is so much more than that to us. He has become a valuable member of our staff. Advising on scouting, team systems, in match adjustments and much more. He is a servant leader that is always asking what he can do for our staff and team. He is a kind soul that our staff and team have come to love.” — Taylor McColskey, University of Houston Volleyball

Shannon Stone
Coastal Carolina University
Assistant Beach Volleyball Coach

“From her first season at EKU, Shannon demonstrated the qualities of a future coach—leadership, curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to improvement. She approached every training session with focus and enthusiasm, often staying after practice to analyze film, ask questions, or help a teammate refine technique. Her ability to communicate clearly and build trust made her a natural leader in our program.” — Jeff Patton, Eastern Kentucky University

Madison Wentz
Ohio Dominican University
Graduate Assistant Coach

“Over the past two seasons with our program, she has taken over a large role as our primary coach for strength and conditioning, team travel, recruiting coordinator as well as on court training our middles and blocking unit. She has transformed our team in the weight room as our athletic department does not have a full-time strength coach, and this is where Madison excels by building trust and confidence in our athletes to push outside their comfort zone.” — Amy Bambenek, Ohio Dominican University

Cheyenne Young
Russell Sage College
Athletic Operations and Business Manager/Assistant Volleyball Coach

“ She has a work ethic like none other and her enthusiasm for volleyball and passion for life in general is contagious. She was a great addition to our coaching staff and she immediately connected with our team because she understands the importance of human relationships. Our players quickly learned that Cheyenne cared for them as people first and foremost and her ability to mentor them both on and off the court is inspiring.” — Shelly Roiger, St. Lawrence University

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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 contributions 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, donate today.