2009-2010 Invasion Coaches are among the most experience in the area. See below for background information on Invasion Coaches.
11-Black: Amanda(Amy) Benne & Craig Berg amyoramanda@gmail.com, cberg40@comcast.net
11-Blue: Sean Barrett & Barb McMahill sbarrett@fortosage.net
12-Black: Bridget Drazen & Jeff Gronninger bdrazen@bssd.net
12-Blue: Danielle Friedel & Sean Knoll friedel2@gmail.com, smknoll@yahoo.com
12-White: Kelly Williams & Kerri McNett kellywil@kc.rr.com mmcnett@kc.rr.com
13-Black: Kally Metzler kallymetzler@yahoo.com
13-Blue: Cheryl Barnett-Linhardt cedbarnett@comcast.net.
14-Black: Eddie Robinson & Cliff Robinson earobinson@dstsystems.com Director@InvasionVBC.com
14-Blue: Ryan Gill & Leann Gill ryangill33@gmail.com
15-Black: Mark Ethridge, Craig Berg & Joe Maloney smokymax@comcast.net , cberg40@comcast.net
15-Blue: CJ Chamberlin & Ashley Peterson siegevolley13@hotmail.com , chic194@hotmail.com (ashley)
15 White: Diana Blackburn & Cheryl Barnett-Linhardt dblackburn@kcp.com
16-Black: Don Harris & Marvin Forbes mtforbes@hotmail.com, don@donharris.org
16-Blue: Diana Blackburn & Mel Krerowicz dblackburn@kcp.com
16-White: Marnie Winters marnie05@kc.rr.com
17-Black: Whitney Abramson & Cam Calder whitvb_7@hotmail.com
17-Blue: Lauri Wilson & Kaitlin Bartolotta got2luvme89@sbcglobal.net, Lauri.Wilson@leesummit.k12.mo.us
18-Black: Danny Kaleikau & Matt McLaughlin dkaleikau@gmail.com
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 six 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. Cliff will be assistant coaching our 14-BLACK team in 2009-10 with Eddie Robinson.
Mark Ethridge - Mark guided our INVASION 14 BLACK to an impressive 3 National Qualifier victories in 08-09. That season culminated in runner-up finish in the 14 OPEN Division of the USAV Nationals in Miami. 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 5 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 09-10 season Mark will coach our 15-BLACK team with assts. Craig Berg & Joe Maloney and will continue in the roll of Assistant Club Director.
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 Heart of America Region and has served as the Head Volleyball Coach at Raytown H.S. and Raytown South H.S. for a combined 7 years. Joe will assist Mark Ethridge & Craig Berg on INVASION 15 BLACK in 09-10.
Don Harris - 36 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 8 years, including 4 trips to the USAV Junior National Championships in the last 6 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. His 18 Black squad was Powerleague Champs in 08-09. Don will be coaching our 16-BLACK team this 09-10 season with Marvin Forbes.
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 7 years and will be coaching our 16-BLACK team this 2008-2009 season with Don Harris. 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 5 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 09-10 CJ wil coach our 15-BLUE team.
Bridget Drazen - Bridget will lead our 12-BLACK team in 09-10. She 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.
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 5th year coaching club ball and her 4rd year coaching for Invasion. She still enjoys playing adult ball today. Ashley will assist CJ on our 15-BLUE team in 09-10.
Diana Blackburn - Diana has 22 years playing experience in the HOA Region. She has 26 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 13 years for Girls Junior Olympic volleyball including 2 trips to the USA Junior National Championships. Diana will be coaching the 15-WHITE team for the 09-10 season as well as 16-BLUE.
Mel Krerowicz - Mel started coaching club volleyball in December 2002 with Invasion. She has also coached for the Blue Springs Youth Volleyball League. In 08-09 she head coached our 13 BLUE squad. In 09-10 Mel will assist Diana Blackburn on the 16-BLUE team.
Cheryl Barnett-Linhardt - Cheryl has over 25 years of playing experience. She played in the HOA region for 8 years. Her coaching experience includes 2 years with the Blue Springs Youth Volleyball League. Cheryl assisted on the 08-09 12-BLUE. This season, 09-10, she will coach our 13-BLUE team and assist on 15 WHITE with Diana Blackburn.
Kaitlin Bartolotta - 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 returns for her 2nd year coaching juniors. Kaitlin will be working with Ryan Gill on our 17-BLUE team in 09-10.
Amanda(Amy) Benne - This is Amy's second year with INVASION. Amy coached for the Mid-America Volleyball Club for 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. 2009-2010 will be her second year coaching the JV and assisting the varsity at BSSHS. For Invasion, Amy will coach the 11-BLACK team in 09-10 and will be assisted by Craig Berg.
Sean Barrett - Sean returns to Invasion this year for his 8th season of Club Volleyball coaching. In addition to his club coaching Sean is in his 6th season as the Varsity Head Coach at Fort Osage High School with 6 seasons as the Varsity Assistant before that. Sean will coach the 11-BLUE team in 09-10.
Ryan Gill - Ryan has 6 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 coach the 14-BLUE girls in 09-10. Ryan will also coach the 17-BLUE team.
Craig Berg – Craig returns to Invasion during 2009-10 for a 4th year assisting Mark Ethridge with our 15-BLACK team. As well as head coaching in the BSYVL, Craig will also assist Amy Benne on the 11-BLACK team. He has 16 years playing expericence both indoor and outdoor at the AA/Open level. He has played in 7 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 17-BLACK team with Cam Calder this 2009-10 season. Whitney has played and coached volleyball for over 16 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 17-BLACK team with Whitney Abramson. This is his 4th year as an assistant coach. He has over 11 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 returns to 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 4 years. Kally will be coaching our 13-BLACK team during the 2009-10 season.
Eddie Robinson - Eddie has played USAV adult volleyball and coached developmental teams for 9 years. He is the current Commissioner of the Blue Springs Youth Volleyball League. Eddie will be Head Coaching our 14-BLACK team in 2009-10 with Cliff Robinson.
Danielle Friedel - Danielle joins Invasion this year for her 4th year of coaching Club Volleyball, her 3rd with INVASION. She is currently coaching Junior Varsity volleyball at Blue Springs High School. She will continue her role as 12-BLUE head coach in 09-10.
Danny Kaleikau - Danny will coach our 18-BLACK squad this season with Matt McLaughlin. His Bio will follow later.
Matt McLaughlin - Matt will coach our 18-BLACK squad this season with Danny Kaleikau. His Bio will follow later.
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 22 years. Kelly continues to play when she can and greatly enjoys helping young volleyball athletes learn and play the game. Kelly will coach our 12-WHITE team in 09-10.
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 4 seasons. Kerri will assist her sister on the 12-WHITE squad in 09-10.
Marnie Winters - Marnie will coach our 16-WHITE team this year. At 5'5", Marnie was a middle hitter for KC Lutheran HS, Park University and middle/outside for USAV adult A/AA women's. She still plays adult coed and doubles. She went to Jr Nationals with KC Jrs VBC (coached by Joe Maloney) and adult coed Nationals. Coached 14s, then 15s, for the last two seasons for the Titans Volleyball Club. She also played basketball for Park University and was a fast-pitch softball catcher and went to Nationals as an adult in competitive coed softball. Marnie currently runs marathons. Qualified for Boston in 08, ran Boston in April of 09, and just completed my 11th marathon on 10/18/09. Provided off-season volleyball skills training for Presentation girls in 2000. Ran cardio training for teen competitive soccer girls for the last 3 years.