Bravo: My Site News

CO-DIRECTOR

I’m Dianna Marshall one of your BRAVO Directors, along with my husband Ken.  Here in Bowling Green I’ve coached club volleyball, worked various camps (WKU and BRAVO) for all age groups, given private lessons, and as of four years ago taken on more of an administrative position with BRAVO.  I grew up in a small city in Northern Kentucky, Bellevue.  The youngest of 8 children, I set a goal to play Division I volleyball in order to afford a college education, and did so at Morehead State University, MSU.  I’ve been the assistant volleyball coach both there at MSU & also here at WKU.  This is my 14^th year working as an Academic Athletic Advisor at WKU.  I have a Bachelors degree in Mathematics and a Masters degree in Guidance & Counseling.  Before ending up here as a wife and mother of 2, I stayed very busy with volleyball year round.   I coached 8 years of club volleyball for Northern Kentucky Junior Volleyball, NKJV, ages 14-18.  During this time I also coached all 3 high school teams (Frosh., J.V.,  & Varsity) for Simon Kenton H.S. taking the team a long way ending with numerous tournament championships and state tournament appearances, all along with teaching H.S. mathematics.  In addition, the last 4 years in N. KY I served as Coaching Coordinator/Supervisor, Board Member, and Tournament Director all for NKJV.  Now, I’m very committed to improving the sport of volleyball in this area. 

CO-DIRECTOR AND COACH

Hello, I’m Ken, the original “Marshall”.  I’m in my fifth year directing BRAVO.  For the last 6 years I’ve coached travel club teams here in Bowling Green, but even before then I helped out wherever needed to promote and improve all levels of volleyball in this area.  My initial involvement was as an assistant with WKU Volleyball for 4 years (’97-’01) and volunteering now in different capacities for a total of over 20 years.   Also I’ve worked various camps, conducted private lessons, helped prospective players in the college recruiting process, and managed to continue to play myself at a high level both indoors and outdoors.  Perhaps my highest accomplishment is teaching my daughter Riley, whose ball control already is better than my wife’s.   I attended BGHS back in the day and graduated from WKU with a double major in Mathematics and Economics.  I’m a business owner by day, but truly enjoy coaching and playing whenever possible!  My BRAVO teams have been very successful showing much improvement both individually and as a team.  BRAVO has already come along way fielding 9 competitive travel teams last year, sending girls off to play college volleyball, & capturing many tournament titles along the way.  I hope to continue to contribute to the growth of that success for many years to come.  At home, I’m outnumbered with two little girls and my wife, so I’m right at home Coaching & Directing BRAVO, where at least my opinion counts.een

COACHES

Hola, my name is Steve Allen. I am a Bowling Green native, and a graduate of Bowling Green High and WKU. While attending college I played on numerous WKU club teams. I have been involved with BRAVO since its start.  Also I coached 2 years club volleyball before BRAVO began.   Volleyball has been a relaxing hobby of mine for approximately 20 years.  For the past 12 years I’ve volunteered as an assistant with the WKU volleyball team. Together with Ken Marshall we are the voice the fans hear for the play by play commentating when the Hilltoppers webcast their games. Professionally I am a full time entrepreneur and part time I work a fun job at Total Image Audio. Personally I married my college sweetheart, Lisa. We have three kids (Deuce, our very energetic dog, Gigi and Coco our very independent yet lovable cats) and look forward to expanding our family.   I’m excited about how far BRAVO has come, and I plan to be a part of their future success.

Hi, I’m Ericka Bardin. I am a junior at WKU this year, pursuing a degree in Economics with a minor in Nonprofit Administration. Originally from Bowling Green, I attended Bowling Green High School, where I played volleyball for six years and received numerous awards. During the off season, I played club volleyball for three years, which allowed me to learn the game under wonderful coaches. I have played primarily as a setter. Volleyball is a passion of mine, and the rest of my family. I am excited to work with BRAVO this year!

Hello! My name is Allyson Barnett. I am originally from Tell City, Indiana. I am in my 11th year teaching special education for Bowling Green City Schools. I currently teach at TC Cherry Elementary. I recently finished my 5th season, 4th as Head Varsity Coach, with the Bowling Green Lady Purples. My first year, I had the responsibility of the freshman team. Four months after that season was over, I was named the Head Coach. Prior to BGHS, I coached the freshmen at my alma mater, Tell City High School, for one season. Volleyball is my other passion besides helping children learn. I have played volleyball in middle school, high school, and college club. I am very excited about my second season with BRAVO as an assistant coach. I look forward to assisting the girls to better their game and themselves as a person. I really enjoy watching the impact that BRAVO experience is having on the high school season. I have a six year old daughter, who you will get to know very well. I can only hope she develops a love for the game like I did and continue to have. Let's Play Some Volleyball! GO BRAVO!!!

Hi my name is Abbie Bear and I am from Naperville, IL. I was a four year started (2006-2009) on Western Kentucky University's volleyball team, where I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration in Spring 2010. I am currently the Graduate Assistant for WKU's Volleyball Team and I am obtaining my Master's in Sport Administration - Facility and Event Management. While playing at WKU, I was named MVP my senior year, awarded the Lee Murray Scholarship, and was named to the Sun Belt Conference All - Tournament team. Over the past six years, I have worked with all ages in various volleyball camps for WKU and for Sports Performance Volleyball Club (Chicago, IL). This past summer I was the camp director for WKU's team camp, All skills camp, Elite camp and Lil' Topper Volley camp. I've also given private lessons since returning to the Hill.

My name is Carry Brown and I am originally from Wichita, KS. I am currently teaching Read 180 programs at Warren Central High School.  I have played volleyball in middle school, high school, club and college competitively. I love playing and love coaching.   I played college volleyball for a private school, Florida College in Tampa where I was captain for 3 of the 4 years that I played, All-American 2 years and won 2 conference championships. I also gained coaching experience as a Co-Head Coach for an 18's club for two years and also conducted a volleyball clinic for younger girls in Tampa. After moving here, I was fortunate enough to find BRAVO.  Since I have been here I have worked with BRAVO in some fashion with clinics, tryouts and coaching the 18's team for the last 3 years, making this my 4th season.  I also am the Head Volleyball & Head Softball Coach at Warren Central High School. 

Hi I'm Sarah Doom. I'm from Franklin, Tennessee and am currently a junior at Western Kentucky, majoring in graphic design. I have been playing volleyball for over nine years. In high school, I was a member of the 2008 AAA State Champion Team and held the second record of blocks during my final season of playing. I also played club ball during high school, one year at Select Volleyball and two years at Impact Volleyball Club. At present, I am playing on Western's Club Volleyball team, and coaching at Warren Central High School.  I am very excited to start my third year of coaching with Bravo, after working with the 17U my first year and the 16U Black team this previous year.  I hope to help the girls improve their skills and increase the love of the game!

My name is Meagan Gill. I'm from Evansville, IN but live here in Bowling Green. I am a recent graduate from Western Kentucky University with a degree in Accounting. I am the Freshman and JV Coach at South Warren High School.  Our program is better with each new year, with the freshmen team winning our first district tournament for the JV and Freshmen.   I have coached for BRAVO for two years, one as an assistant and last year as a head coach.  Both seasons were very promising with my teams winning a couple tournaments. I have been playing volleyball since sixth grade and in college played club volleyball here at WKU, where I was the head coach and captain.  I love volleyball and hope to continue to improve the girls in this area to love the game as much as I do.

Hello, I’m Justin Griffin. Originally from Alabama, I got started in coaching volleyball at Jacksonville State University where I met my wife Kristi.  I was a student assistant there for 3 years and was part of 3 Conference Championships and 2 NCAA berths.  Prior to my volleyball coaching career I played 2 years of college baseball, and I played baseball and basketball in high school.  Currently, I am the Head Coach at South Warren High School. This will be my third season coaching with BRAVO and I have enjoyed every season. I am proud to be part of BRAVO because it provides many opportunities for players in our area to continue grow and develop as players and individuals. Before moving to Bowling Green, I coached a very successful 17s club team in Evansville for River City.  Overall this is my eight year coaching volleyball either at the high school or collegiate level. This past summer Kristi and I added a new member to our family, Jaxon, and being a parent is the biggest joy in my life.

Hi, I’m Kristi Griffin.  I’m in my third season coaching volleyball at WKU, and once again am excited about coaching BRAVO this coming Spring.  Before WKU, I spent four seasons at Jacksonville State University as their assistant.   Prior to my coaching career at Jacksonville State, I coached at the University of Southern Indiana, my volleyball alma mater. Besides my college coaching experience, I also coached club volleyball for 4 years at Evansville Rivercity.  As a player, I was a four-year starter for the University of Southern Indiana from 1999-2002. I was a four-time Academic All-GLVC selection and three-time CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree, and was named to the Verizon Academic All-American First Team in my senior year.  I’m married to Justin Griffin, another BRAVO coach.

My name is Margaret Madison. I am originally from Savannah, Georgia and moved here to Bowling Green after accepting a job working for a company focus on Continuous Improvement.   I have enjoyed many team and individual successes while playing Volleyball.  My High School team won the Georgia 5A State Championship, and I was named 5A player of the year.  As a middle/right side hitter in college, I was fortunate enough to be a part of a 3^rd place conference team at Coker College in South Carolina.  I am most grateful for the opportunity I was given to travel to Australia to participate in an International Tournament, which proved to be an all-around rewarding experience.  I am looking forward to being part of the Bravo Team once again.  This will be my third year helping with BRAVO!

Hi!  My name is Christy Patch and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to coach one of the 12U teams for BRAVO this year!  I am an elementary school teacher, mother of three volleyball players, and head coach to a Junior High Volleyball team in Red Bowling Springs, TN.  I also am the assistant coach to our high school team.  Volleyball became a passion for our family in 2001 when my oldest daughter became a manager and statistician for the team, and I became a parent volunteer.  I’ve coached the junior high and assisted the high school team for seven years now and can’t imagine life without the game.  This will be my second year coaching with BRAVO, and my fifth year in the BRAVO family.  Last year I was the head coach of 12 Red!  Two of my daughters have played for BRAVO, and I have learned a lot along the way.  I hope to provide these talented young players with a strong base in fundamentals, whole encouraging their love of the game!

Hey, my name is Lauren Pierson. I've lived here in Bowling Green my whole life, and I am a sophomore at Western Kentucky University majoring in Middle Grades Education. I played volleyball all four years of high school for Greenwood, one of the top teams in the state. I also played four years of club volleyball for BRAVO. In the 2010 season I was the assistant coach at Drakes Creek Middle School, and this past 2011 Bravo season I was the assistant coach for BRAVO's 14U team. I absolutely love volleyball, but more than that I love helping kids. I can't wait to help these girls grow in heart, determination, and skill on the volleyball court!

Hello, I am Jason Reels.  I am a native of Bowling Green where I graduated from Warren Central High School and Western Kentucky University.  I have been a coach with BRAVO for the past 4 years and was the head coach of the 13s Black team last year.  The 13s Black BRAVO team was extremely successful and consistent making it to two gold championship matches last season and making the gold bracket in all but one tournament.   I have also been the head volleyball coach at Drakes Creek Middle School and am currently the head coach at South Warren Middle School where we are 2-time defending district champions.  I am very passionate about the sport of volleyball and committed to growing the sport in this area.   I served as the President of Warren County Youth Volleyball for 3 years and have personally played volleyball for over 20 years.  I have two daughters that have played for BRAVO over the past 4 years and have truly enjoyed their experience and the skill development and competition that comes from this level of play.  I look forward to the challenge helping each player enhance their individual volleyball skills while building a strong team environment.  My team will play hard but always remember to have fun and enjoy the game.  It’s going to be another great season!      

Hello, my name is Kelsey Towns. I am in my freshmen year at Western Kentucky University where I am the manager of the volleyball team. I have lived in Nashville, Tennessee my entire life. I started playing volleyball when I was ten years old on my middle school team and played throughout my high school career. I began playing travel volleyball for Select at age 12 then played at Alliance until I was 18. This past summer, I began giving private lessons at the YMCA in my hometown. I have also helped out with an assortment of volleyball camps over the past three years. I have enjoyed coaching the 7^th and 8^th grade varsity volleyball team at my middle school during that time as well.  

Hi I'm Tim Sharp.  I am coaching with BRAVO because volleyball is one of my passions and I hope to see the sport continue to grow in this area.  I have been playing volleyball for 18 years now, with three years of club experience at the University of Kentucky.  While at UK, I helped coach the UK women's club team as well.  I have been coaching BRAVO 14’s travel team for the past four years.  I have been very fortunate to be with some extremely successful teams.   I just finished my fourth year as a high school official and have enjoyed seeing the effect that BRAVO is having on the high school teams in the area.  On a personal level, I’m an Engineer with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and I have a five year old daughter named Aubrey that I hope will love the sport of volleyball as much as I do.  

Hi! I am Lauren Snider, a current junior at WKU majoring in Exercise Science with a nutrition minor.  I plan to be a Physical Therapist someday and am a huge advocate of leading a healthy life.  I am from Louisville, KY where I went to Mercy Academy.  I played volleyball for 3 years at Mercy and for 5 years with the club MAVA.  I love every aspect of the game of volleyball from the physical and mental focus it requires to the amazing friendships it creates and the lifelong lessons it teaches.  I have played both as an outside hitter and a defense specialist.  I was an assistant coach for BRAVO 13 Black last season and loved every minute of it.  I am looking forward to seeing what this season will bring!

My name is Julie Spurlock and I am originally from Indiana, where my love of volleyball first began. I played volleyball in middle school, high school, club, and at the college level competitively.  Since moving to Kentucky I have been fortunate enough to meet great people who love volleyball as much as me. Because of these wonderful people and their encouragement I began coaching – first at club, and then with Warren East’s middle and high school programs for three years. This year past school year I was the Head Coach for Allen County H.S. where I live. I am super excited to be back with BRAVO, and I am even more excited to see how the program continues to grow. I am blessed with two wonderful little girls - who both say they will grow up to be volleyball players (a mom can only hope). My husband, who loves to play volleyball himself, is a positive motivator to me and my coaching ambitions. I teach 6^th grade Language Arts at the Allen County Intermediate Center.

Hello, my name is Molly Tarter. I am a sophomore at WKU this year.  I am studying exercise science so I can go to physical therapy school after I graduate from WKU.  I have grown up here in Bowling Green. I went to school at Greenwood.  I played volleyball for Greenwood all four years of my high school career. During my senior season, Greenwood won both the District and Regional Titles and ended up participating in the State Tournament. I also made the Region All-Tournament Team.  During the off season, I played travel volleyball for BRAVO for five years.  I have come to love the sport of volleyball, and I can't wait to share my passion for this sport with other girls. I loved helping out last year so I am very excited about this year and can't wait to see what the new season has in store for BRAVO.

Hello!  My name is Jeff Whitson, and I am a Bowling Green native.  I am married to my high school sweetheart Liz.  We have three children Nicole, Zoe, and Jackson.  I have enjoyed and played volleyball for over twenty years through indoor and sand volleyball leagues.  As an assistant coach with BRAVO now for four years, I am extremely privileged to be a part of four incredible and successful BRAVO teams.  I am also a fortunate father that my love for volleyball extends to my children.  My daughter, Nicole has played for her high school volleyball team for six years.  She has also played for BRAVO four years.  Now, my youngest daughter (Zoe) is starting her career in volleyball at the age of 12.  I look forward to another great year with the BRAVO family.

Hi, my name is Sara Yokley :).  I currently live in Bowling Green, KY.  I am a graduate from Nossi College of Art in Tennessee with a degree in Photography and Commercial Design.  I’ve been playing volleyball since I can remember walking.  It’s something that I have always enjoyed!  I played varsity volleyball for Edmonson County for 4 years where I received numerous awards.  I played club ball for Vette City which is now BRAVO for 3 years.  Now I help my mom and dad, Sheila and Jimmy Yokley, coach at Edmonson County.  I also give private lessons year around to help the girls improve.  This will be my second year coaching at BRAVO and I am looking forward to sharing my knowledge of the game with the girls and to help them be successful for their future years in volleyball!

Hi! I'm Sheila Yokley. I have been the head volleyball coach at Edmonson County High School since 2005. Jimmy, my wonderful husband, is my assistant coach, and in that time, we have put together 4 district championships, and two runner up. In 2009, I was voted in by my peers, as the KVCA 4th Region Coach of the Year.   I have been a BRAVO coach going into my third season, second season as a travel team coach. Last year I was the head coach of 12 Black!  I am so excited to be a part of such a wonderful organization, which is so dedicated to our youth sports and improving the volleyball skills of the outstanding athletes with in our region. I am also looking forward to coaching again with my daughter Sara, who is a former BRAVO player of 3 years, and going into her second season as a coach. We are super excited to be back and can't wait to get the season started! GO BRAVO!