2008-2009 Invasion Coaches are among the most experience in the area. See below for background information on Invasion Coaches.
11-Black: Kelly Williams & Kerri McNett Kellywil@kc.rr.com
12-Black: Tina Akin & Rachel Akin akinhome@earthlink.net
12-Blue: Diana Blackburn dblackburn@kcp.com
12-White: Danielle Friedel friedel2@gmail.com
12-Gold: Amanda(Amy) Benne & Kate Waldron amyoramanda@gmail.com
13-Black: Ron Goins rjgoins@sbcglobal.net
13-Blue: Mel Krerowicz melly_1@sbcglobal.net
14-Black: Mark Ethridge & Craig Berg smokymax@comcast.net cberg40@comcast.net
14-Blue: CJ Chamberlin siegevolley13@hotmail.com
14-White: Ashley Peterson & Laura Anderson chic194@hotmail.com (ashley)
15-Black: Marvin Forbes & Ryan Gill mtforbes@hotmail.com, rgill@controlservice.com
15-Blue: Kally Metzler & Eddie Robinson kallymetzler@yahoo.com
16-Black: Whitney Abramson & Cam Calder whitvb_7@hotmail.com
16-Blue: Ryan Gill & Kaitlin Bartolatta got2luvme89@sbcglobal.net, rgill@controlservice.com
17-Black: Danielle Justus & Julie Sackman lilredvb0220@yahoo.com juliesackman@gmail.com
18-Black: Don Harris don@donharris.org
Cliff Robinson - Cliff has played USAV adult Volleyball and coached junior Olympic and developmental teams for 12 years. Cliff’s teams have qualified and participated in USAV Junior National Championships three times in the last five years and have earned a handful of top ten finishes at National Qualifier events. He is the former Commissioner of the Blue Springs Youth Volleyball League and is the current DIRECTOR of the Invasion VBC.
Mark Ethridge - In November of 2008 Mark joined Ron Goins and Tina Akin as Invasion coaches who have won a National Championship at the NCHAA National Championships for homeschooled athletes. He played AA/Open volleyball in the HOA Region for over 17 years, winning 6 regional championships and playing in 3 USAV championships. He has 9 years juniors coaching experience and has taken teams to USAV Junior Nationals 4 straight years. In 2007-2008 his 13's team finished 5th in the country. He has achieved a CAP II coaching certification, an elite distinction. Mark is very active with outdoor volleyball. He runs many outdoor events at the "Ethridge Volleyball Ranch" during the summer months. For the 08-09 season Mark will coach our 14-BLACK team with asst. Craig Berg and will continue in the roll of Assistant Club Director.
Don Harris - 35 years playing experience. Played collegiately at Loyola Marymount University in California and has played on numerous AA HOA Regional Champion teams. Has played in 12 USAV National Championship tournaments. Coached the 1980 Boys Junior Olympic National Champion team. Has coached Girls Junior Olympic volleyball for 7 years, including 4 trips to the USAV Junior National Championships in the last 5 years. Don's team during the 2006-2007 season qualified to play in the Open Division at Nationals and finish 3rd overall in the country. Don will be coaching our 18-BLACK team this 2008-2009 season.
Ron Goins - Ron played on a National Championship team at Kellogg College and has played Open/AA Adult volleyball for over 10 years. He is one of 3 Invasion coaches to win the NCHAA National Championships with the KC East Christian Academy for homeschooled athletes. He is CAP I certified by the USAV and has coached Junior Olympic Volleyball for 10 years. Ron's teams have qualified and participated in USAV Junior National Championships twice in the last three years. Ron will be coaching our 13-BLACK team during the 2008-2009 season.
Marvin Forbes - Marvin played Middle and Outside Hitter at Columbia College including one National Championship team and one National Champion runner-up. Former Assistant Coach at Central Methodist College and assisted in running several summer camps for High School players. Marvin spends tireless hours outside his club coaching time working with players on technique and fundamentals. He has coached Girls’ Junior volleyball for 6 years and will be coaching our 15-BLACK team this 2008-2009 season. In 06-07 Marvin's 17-SWAT team qualified in the Open Division of the USAV Junior Olympic Volleyball Championships and finished 11th overall in the country. His 18-SWAT team finished 5th in the country during the 2007-2008 season.
CJ Chamberlin - CJ has been coaching for 4 years ranging from the ages of 12-15.....started coaching for CMVBC in Jefferson City while attending William Woods University where she played volleyball for 2 years as a DS and as an outside hitter and setter. She transfered to UCM and started coaching at Tigers VBC in Lee's Summit for the past 3 years. CJ was the Junior Varsity/Assist. Varsity coach at Lee's Summit High School for 2 years and is now the head varsity volleyball coach at Archie R-5 School District. She graduated from Lee's Summit North while receiving All-Conference and All-District honors and played club volleyball for 5 years....senior year played for INVASION under Dave Abramson. In 08-09 CJ wil coach our 14-BLUE team.
Ashley Peterson - Ashley played volleyball for Blue Springs High School and continued to play on adult teams through college at CMSU. She has coached for the Blue Springs Recreational league for 3 years. This will be her 4th year coaching club ball and her 3rd year coaching for Invasion. She still enjoys playing adult ball today. Ashley will run the 14-WHITE team in 08-09.
Tina Akin - Tina has been coaching volleyball for over 10 years. As a high school coach with KC East Christian Academy, Tina has been to the NCHAA National Championships gold medal match four times, twice as a head coach and twice as an assistant, with two championships and two second place finishes. During her seven years with Invasion, Tina has been head coach at the 15, 14, 13, 12, and 11 age levels, and has been assistant coach at the 18, 16, and 15 age levels. Along the way her teams have consistently finished in the top five in the HOA region, with two regional championships, and two top five Gold finishes at the Colorado Crossroads Qualifier. During the 2007-2008 Invasion season, Tina and her daughter Rachel enjoyed coaching the youngest age group at Invasion skills sessions, and look forward to working with that age group again. Tina and Rachel will coach our 12-BLACK team in 08-09.
Diana Blackburn - Diana has 22 years playing experience in the HOA Region. She has 25 years coaching experience including Girls Junior Olympic VB, Lee's Summit North High School, Blue Valley North High School, St. Joseph Catholic School, St. Peter's Catholic School, St. John LaLande Catholic School, Blue Springs Youth Volleyball Program, and the Independence Youth Athletic Association . She coached a total of 12 years for Girls Junior Olympic volleyball including 2 trips to the USA Junior National Championships in the last 3 years. Diana will be coaching the 12-BLUE team for the 08-09 season.
Kaitlin Bartolatta - Kaitlin played high school volleyball at Blue Springs High School. She was the starting libero her junior and senior year. Kaitlin played club ball through middle school and high school. She now attends Longview Community College in Lee's Summit, where she is a DS. Kaitlin will be working with Ryan Gill on our 16-BLUE team in 08-09.
Mel Krerowicz - Mel started coaching club volleyball in December 2002 with Invasion and continued through 2006. She then became an assistant coach for a Nova's club team in 2007. She also coaches for the Blue Springs Youth Volleyball League with this being her second year. Mel will be coaching a 13 Gold team for the 2008/09 club season, Invasion 13-BLUE.
Laura Anderson - Laura will begin her second year in coaching for Invasion this year. She played for Blue Springs High School as well as Invasion for 3 years and Lee's Summit Rage for 2 years. Laura has continued playing Coed Volleyball throughout college at UMKC and at Sports City and will be assisting Ashley Peterson in coaching the 14-WHITE team in 08-09.
Kate Waldron - Kate played youth and club volleyball while growing up in Blue Springs. 2008-2009 will be her first year coaching with Invasion. She will assist her sister, Amy Benne, on Invasion 11-BLACK.
Kelly Williams - As a player Kelly played High School volleyball at O'Hara High School, college volleyball at Benedictine College and was on USVBA club teams throughout High School and College. After college she played on both women's and coed volleyball USVBA teams and has coached many girls and boys club teams over the past 20 years. Kelly continues to play when she can and greatly enjoys helping young volleyball athletes learn and play the game. Kelly is coaching our 11-BLUE team in 08-09.
Kerri McNett - Keri played volleyball in the Parochial league, USVBA league, and was also the starting setter at O'Hara High School while growing up. In college at the University of Missouri - Rolla, she was involved in intramurals as a player and coach. Since college, Kerri has played in various adult leagues and has coached in the Parochial League the past 2 seasons. She will assist on our 11-BLUE team in 08-09.
Amanda(Amy) Benne - Amy coached for the Mid-America Volleyball Club the past 4 years. She has been very successful coaching younger teams. In 2007, Amy's 12's team won the Indianapolis Qualifier and placed 9th at Nationals in Minneapolis. In 2008, her 13's team won HOA Regionals as well as the 14's division of the AVC tourney at Bartle Hall. She coached freshman volleyball at Blue Springs South High School for 2 years and posted an 87% winning percentage. In 2008 she will coach the JV and assist the varsity at BSSHS. For Invasion, Amy will coach the 11-BLACK team in 08-09.
Ryan Gill - Ryan has five years coaching experience with Invasion and five years experience with area High School teams. He is currently the J.V. coach and assistant Varsity coach at St. Mary's High School. Ryan will be assisting Marvin Forbes on 15-BLACK. Ryan will also coach the 16-BLUE team.
Danielle Justus - Danielle has played and coached Volleyball for over 13 years. After her High School career she played volleyball at Graceland University and Longview Community College where she was team captain and received the team's Outstanding Volleyball Player award as well as All Region honors. She has coached as a Student assistant at Longview, has 4 years' high School Coaching experience and is currently the Varsity Assistant Coach Raytown High School. Danielle continues to play Women's AA Outdoor and Indoor volleyball today and will be coaching our 17-BLACK team this 2008-2009 season with Julie Sackman.
Julie Sackman - A three year starting setter at Blue Springs H.S., Julie was recognized as the Examiner Player of the Year twice and received All-State honors twice on top of many other accolades and awards. She played college ball at Washburn University where she lead the team to two NCAA National Tournaments. She is a regular at coed and womens' A and AA outdoor tournaments and summer leagues and plays Womens' A and AA indoor ball in the winter. Julie has two seasons previous club coaching experience and this season will be working with Danielle Justus to coach our 17-BLACK team.
Danielle Friedel - Danielle joins Invasion this year for her 2nd year of coaching Club Volleyball. Danielle will be coaching our 12-WHITE team this 08-09 season.
Craig Berg – Craig returns to Invasion during 2008-2009 for a third year assisting Mark Ethridge with our 14-BLACK team as well as head coaching in the BSYVL. He has 15 years playing expericence both indoor and outdoor at the AA/Open level. He has played in 6 USAV Championships, most recently placing 2nd in 2005 and placing 1st in 2006. He was also named to the Mens AA All Tournament Team in 2006.
Whitney Abramson - Whitney returns to Invasion this year to coach our 16-BLACK team with Cam Calder this 2008-2009 season. Whitney has played and coached volleyball for over 15 years. She played high school ball at Blue Springs South and 9 seasons of club volleyball, 3 of which were with Invasion, before moving on to play at Avila University. She played 2 years at Avila before transferring and finishing up her college career at MidAmerica Nazarene University. During her college career, she was selected as an Academic All-American, Rookie of the Year, and MCAC setter of the week. She also broke 5 school records, all of which still stand.
Cam Calder - Cam returns to Invasion this year to coach our 16-BLACK team with Whitney Abramson. This is his 3rd year as an assistant coach. He has over 10 years of playing experience and has earned a lot of recognition including being awarded the 2002 Cochran Volleyball Award. He played college volleyball for Graceland University where he set a 5-1 for the Yellowjackets.
Kally Metzler - Kally joins Invasion this year with a wealth of playing and coaching experience. Kally played volleyball in the Parochial School league growing up and played at O'Hara High School where she was part of a State Champion team and earned all-district and all-conference honors. She played juniors volleyball, including two years with Invasion before moving on to play volleyball at Rockhurst University. She has coached in the Parochial School League for three years and Juniors volleyball for 3 years. Kally will be coaching our 15-BLUE team during the 2008-2009 season.
Eddie Robinson - Eddie has played USAV adult volleyball and coached developmental teams for 8 years. He is the current Commissioner of the Blue Springs Youth Volleyball League. Eddie will assist Kally Metzler on the 15-BLUE team in 08-09.
Joe Maloney - Joe has been a fixture in the volleyball community in the Midwest for over thirty years. He has 20 years experience as a National Referee and as a Big 8/Big 12 NCAA Division I official. He has 10 years combined experience as the Head Volleyball Coach at Rockhurst University and Penn Valley Community College that includes winning seasons every season, District Coach of the Year recognition and a 5th place finish in the NJCAA National Tournament. He started, directed and coached with the successful Kansas City Juniors Volleyball Club for boys and girls from 1981 to 1996 and coached four teams to National Championships, three to 2nd place finishes and four to 3rd place finishes. He served for five years as the Associate Commissioner of the Hear of America Region and has served as the Head Volleyball Coach at Raytown H.S. and Raytown South H.S. for a combined six years.
Kenny Bragaw - Kenny has coached youth and Junior Olympic volleyball for 6 years.
Bridget Gill - Bridget played High School volleyball at St. Mary's High School and went on to play at Longview Community College and St. Mary's University. She continues to play USAV Women's volleyball today. She has coached Juniors for eight years including leading Invasion's boys team in their inaugural year. She was a volunteer assistant coach at Blue Springs H.S. for two years before accepting the head coach position at Brittany Hill Middle School for one year, posting an undefeated 20-0 record. After that season she returned to work with the Blue Springs H.S. team where she is the Assistant Varsity Coach.
Jerry MacLean - His High School coaching career began with four years at Santa Fe High School during which his teams reached the semi-finals of the Missouri State Championship tournament each year, bringing home a State Championship one of those years. He spent four years at Pleasant Hill then went on to take the Head Coaching position at Blue Springs South High School where he was a fixture for nine years. Jerry's teams have won more than 300 varsity matches during his High School coaching career and he continues to add to those totals as the Head Coach at Lone Jack High School after retiring from Blue Springs South last year. Jerry has also coached Juniors volleyball in Higginsville for three years.