Alabama Juniors Volleyball Club: 2010 Coaching Staff
12-1: Donna Burke
Morgan Kilpatrick
Coach Burke is in her 21st year of coaching and teaching. She has been in the Hoover City School system for the last 18 years teaching at both Simmons Middle School and Hoover High School. She is currently finishing her 15th year as the head coach for the Hoover High School Volleyball team while compiling over 600 wins. Coach Burke has been coaching club volleyball on and off for over 20 years with various clubs and coaching various age levels.
12-2: Andrea Thames
Carol Nelson
Andrea is entering her 3rd year of coaching the 12 and under division for Alabama Juniors. She played High school ball at Our Lady of Providence in Clarksville, Indiana. She played 4 years of club ball for KJVA(Kentuckiana Junior Volleyball Association). Because of the exposure she received playing club ball, and her hard work and determination she received a full volleyball scholarship to play for Judy Green at the University of Montevallo. Andrea enjoys working with the younger age groups because she feels she can really make a difference in their growth and development both on and off the court. She hopes that her knowledge and passion for the sport of volleyball will rub off on those she coaches and create opportunities like she was given. Andrea has an 11 year old daughter that plays for Alabama Juniors and she loves it just as much as her mother does. From both a coaching and parent perspective Andrea feels that Alabama Juniors provides a great program, opportunities and environment to develop the children that choose to participate. She is looking forward to a great year and can't wait to get started!
13-1: Tonnie Glover
Tiffany Hunter
Tonnie and Brett will be entering their 7th year of coaching for Alabama Juniors. Tonnie has been coaching volleyball for 10 years. She played High school ball at Thompson High School, club ball from the age of 12, and received a full volleyball scholarship to play college ball at Samford University. They thoroughly enjoy working with younger players and teaching foundational volleyball. In the past two years they have begun doing team and skill camps for individual schools around the city. They take their job very seriously, and they see every year as an opportunity to impact, motivate, and inspire young girls to love the sport of volleyball. Their desire is not to just create a love for the sport but to build character, good self confidence, and to help the girls reach their full potential in their everyday lives.
Tiffany moved to Birmingham nine years ago from Woodridge, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago. Tiffany attended Downers Grove North High School where she played as a middle hitter from 1986-1990. She led the team to it's only 4th place finish in the school's history. She attended Division I, Western Illinois University on a full scholarship from 1990-1994 where she played as a middle hitter. During her career at Western Illinois University, she was ranked 19th in the nation in blocking. She still holds season and career attack and block records at her University. Tiffany graduated in 1994 with a degree in Communications Arts & Sciences and a Marketing minor. Tiffany played for Circus Volleyball Club in Schamburg, Illinois her junior and senior year and has 24 years experience playing competitive volleyball.
Since her move to Birmingham, Tiffany has served as head coach for the youth volleyball team at Roebuck-Hawkins recreation center for two years. She also served as a floater coach for Alabama Juniors for one year. Recently, she assisted the Head Volleyball Coach at Virginia Commonwealth University in a three day volleyball camp in June, 2009. Tiffany is currently assisting with the Varsity Volleyball team at Thompson High School. Tiffany has been married since 1998 and has three daughters.
13-2: Brett Glover
Colleen Willis
For Brett see above.
14-1: Drennon Morrison
Drennan Morrison played four years for Mercer University from 2004-2007 on a full athletic and academic scholarship. She earned a degree in Business Management and Marketing. She played outside for the Bears for all four years. Coach Morrison began her high school career with a freshman season at Hoover High School on the Varsity team. She then went on to finish her High School career at Spain Park High School playing three more years on Varsity and becoming the first graduating class. She competed in four state championship tournaments and still holds a record for career kills. This will be Coach Morrison’s second year to coach for Alabama Juniors. She has just completed her first year coaching Spain Park’s Junior Varsity team. She coaches fundamentals first and competitiveness as a close second. Morrison says of coaching, “My job is to teach the game of volleyball and enhance the players love of the game. Many skills and lessons learned from competitive volleyball can also be applied to life and I will help my players make these connections. I always believe that hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. I look forward to another great season.”
14-2: Kerry Pitts
Anna Garrison
Kerry Pitts began her volleyball career in Tallahassee, Florida where she played club and school volleyball beginning in 6th grade. When she graduated high school she received a volleyball scholarship to play at Birmingham-Southern College. She graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. She now teaches fourth grade at South Shades Crest Elementary. She coached the 7th grade team at Bumpus Middle School for 3 years and is now beginning her 5th year coaching for Alabama Juniors.
Anna Garrison is a Sophomore at the University of Montevallo and just completed her second year on the volleyball team. She coached for Magic City Thunder last year. She played volleyball at LaVergne High School and played club for three years.
14-3: Charlie Lindley
Maureen Esler
Charlie has played club volleyball since the 6th grade, and has played school ball since 7th.Charlie went to UAB on a volleyball scholarship, and played outside there. "This will be my third year with Alabama Juniors, and I just finished my first season coaching Thompson High School's freshman team. Before coaching club ball, I have coached a number of camps. (college and high school) "
Maureen Esler first started playing volleyball when she was 10 years old. She played as an outside hitter for 4 years for Lassiter High School in Marietta, Georgia. She played club for one year at Cobb Atlanta Juniors, one year at Atlanta Juniors, and three years at A5 in Atlanta. She currently attends the University of Montevallo, and received a scholarship to play volleyball her first 2 years as a libero. She is currently coaching at Calera High School for her first year, and is returning for her 2nd year coaching for Alabama Juniors.
151: Alex Martinez
Katie Handrick
Alex is entering his second year at AL Juniors. Last year Alex coached the 16-2 team and tremendously improved the girl’s skills and conditioning level. He has a well rounded knowledge of playing and coaching the sport of volleyball. Alex has a level II Coaching Certification from FPVB (Puerto Rican Federation of Volleyball given by Humberto Rodriguez coach of the Puerto Rican National Team). Alex completed a Plyometrics Certification by NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association).
He is a Physical Education Teacher with a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Teaching of Physical Education from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico.
As a teacher, he incorporated volleyball in his curriculum and was able to adapt the sport so kids at preschool ages could learn it. Alex is able to adjust his coaching to all ages. Alex is currently pursuing a PHD Degree at the University of Alabama in Sports Science.
Alex started playing in his native country, Puerto Rico, on the Interamerican University High School varsity team as a middle hitter. He played Club Ball in the United States Marines Corp while serving active duty for four years. He is currently playing competitive sand ball here in Alabama. Alex coached the Mini Junior and Senior Varsity teams for three years at Colegio San Agustin in Puerto Rico. Alex is also a personal trainer and has experience working with strength and conditioning programs for athletes from school level to professional level. Alex focuses on the physical aspect of the game, fundamentals, and discipline.
15-2: Ellen Fleisher
Currently: Head coach of Thompson High SchoolPlayed: Played at UAB on full rideHigh School: played at Pelham High School
Ellen Fleisher will be entering her 3rd season with Alabama Juniors and her 9th season to coach. She runs fundamental volleyball camps each summer for 7th-8th grade players. Before coaching at Thompson High School, she coached at Indian Springs and coached club in Tuscaloosa. She is dedicated to the development of her players both on and off the floor and is committed to helping them attain excellence and building self-confidence of her players.
15-3: Natasha Crenshaw
Kasi Self
I graduated from Huffman High School where I competed in volleyball, basketball, and track & field. I lettered in all three sports my junior and senior year (didn't run track my senior year). I received a full scholarship in volleyball to Morris Brown College in Atlanta. Towards the middle of the season during my sophomore year I was ranked 7th in the nation as a libero, averaging 3.85 digs per game. I transferred to Alabama A&M University to finish my last two years of college. I contributed to two of six consecutive SWAC volleyball championships and two NCAA appearances playing as a defensive specialist. I currently teach and coach at E.B. Erwin HIgh School in Jefferson County. My overall record as the head junior high volleyball coach is 41-33. I lead my team to a 14-4 season, placing second in the county during the 2007 season. I am very passionate about the game of volleyball and I love coaching. This is my second year coaching club with Alabama Juniors and after having such a successful season this past spring, I am truly excited about the upcoming season!! Im looking forward to seeing some great talent on November 7th & 8th.....LETS GO JUNIORS!!!! -----Natasha Y. Crenshaw
Kasi has been playing volleyball for 13 years and coaching for 4. She has played 2 years in college and helped coach in college. "I focus on fundamentals and strategy to teach the players how to play the game effectively and make smart decisions. I love volleyball and I love helping progress the players and their game."
16-1: Tim Locklear
Courtney Gay
Tim played competitive beach volleyball from 1995-1999, including one pro event. He began coaching for Birmingham Volleyball Club in 2000 and coached there for two seasons. After BVC he made the switch to Alabama Juniors Volleyball Club where he has been coaching since 2002. While Coach Tim holds the fundamentals of the game close, he challenges his players to build on their fundamental skills and learn new techniques and philosophies to build a better knowledge of the game as well as increase confidence in their own abilties. Tim graduated from Pinson Valley High School in 1998 and attended Jacksonville State University. He is employed by Harbert Realty Services Inc. and has been married to his wife Emily since May of 2003. Tim is also the proud father of Madelyn Grace, born May 2005, and Aida Ryleigh, born February 2009.
Courtney started playing volleyball in the 7th grade. She played 4 years of club volleyball for A5 volleyball club. She currently attends Samford University and just finished up her 4th year of eligibility last season. She played libero for Samford for 4 years and has set many records there, individually and as a team. She currently just won metro's with Bumpus Middle School's 7th grade team and is returning for her 4th year coaching with Alabama Juniors.
16-2: Katie Johnson
Shannon Davis
This will be Katie Johnson's 4th year coaching Juniors. Katie is a senior at the University of Montevallo and just finished her fourth year on the Falcon’s volleyball team. She played high school volleyball at Thompson High school and played two years of club volleyball. Katie will graduate in May with a degree in Mass Communications.
Shannon Davis is a recent graduate of Auburn University with a B.S. in Exercise Science. She has previously coached a JV Volleyball team at Opelika High School and assisted with the varsity team. "I have just recently moved into the Alabaster area and I have realized that I miss coaching and being in the volleyball atmosphere." Shannon has been playing volleyball since she was in the 7th grade, and was on varsity all four years at Murphy High School in Mobile, AL and was honorable mentioned and in the super 12 for two of those years. "I am very motivated and love the sport."
17-1 Ross Hickman
Jason Burton
Ross started playing sand volleyball in college, while rehabbing an ankle injury that ended his college soccer career. In 1995, after three years of learning the indoor game, he walked-on at Arizona State, and played on the team for one season. He played three AVP pro-qualifiers from 1995-1997, and still plays competitive 2 and 4-man beach volleyball tournaments. Ross started coaching in 1993 for East Valley Juniors Volleyball Club in Chandler, Arizona, and during this time was also an assistant coach for Paradise Valley High School. He moved to Alabama in 2003, and has coached at Alabama Juniors since 2004. Ross holds a MA in Counseling from UAB, and is currently employed as an LPC for Pathways Professional Counseling. He has been married to his wife Paige since 2001, and they have 2 young boys, Caleb and Seth. Ross and his family live in Trussville.
This is Jason’s first year with Alabama Juniors. He brings strong technical knowledge of the game with over sixteen years of experience playing competitive beach volleyball.
17-2: Fallon Levine
Ellen Rehme
Fallon Levine is a native Alabamian. She played high school volleyball at Shades Valley High school and four years of club volleyball before receiving a full volleyball scholarship to Northwest-Shoals Junior College in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. After playing at NWSCC for two years as a middle blocker/right side, she received a full volleyball scholarship to Samford University. Fallon coached for Alabama Juniors in 2006 before moving to Utah to earn a Masters degree in Genetic Counseling. She has since taken a prenatal/cancer genetic counseling job at UAB and is excited to be involved with Alabama Juniors again!
Ellen Rehme is originally from Indianapolis, IN where she played for Circle City Volleyball Club and her high school time won 2 state championships and 1 state runner-up. She was a high school All-American. She attended University of Florida on a volleyball scholarship. After her sophomore season, she transfered to Texas Christian University. Ellen served as a student assistant coach at TCU for one semester. After graduation, she went to Europe to play professionally overseas in the country of Cyprus. She came back to the United States to receive her masters from TCU while working as a strength and conditioning graduate assistant. She is currently the assistant strength and conditioning coach at Samford University.
Coaches not assigned
Rachel Watitzky
Rachel Wotitzky is a Sophomore at the University of Montevallo and just completed her second season with the Lady Falcons volleyball team. She played volleyball at Charlotte High School and played club for six years.
