meet the coaches

Meet our coaching staff for the 2023-2024 season!

The TENACITY team has searched high and low for the perfect lineup of committed and dedicated coaches to train our players!

  • Fun Fact

    I played for and coached with Olympic Silver Medalist, Rose Mangers-Powell.

    Notable Playing Experience

    I played high school for Southaven High School, where I was captain my last two years. I also played club for Memphis Volleyball Academy for three years, where I was also captain. I then played collegiate volleyball at Martin Methodist College (UT Southern) for four years, where I was captain my last three years. I was a setter and outside hitter in high school and played right side my freshman year of college and libero all the other years.

    Coaching Experience

    • Rocket City Volleyball club for 3 years (13s, 16s, 17s)

    • Memphis Volleyball Academy 2 years (14s, 17s)

    Notable Honors and Awards

    • High School State Champion

    • Bank Plus Player of the Week

    • 3x Commercial Appeal Max Prep Best of the Prep (3x)

    • MVP at MHSAA All-Star Volleyball game

  • Fun Fact

    I learned how to juggle this past year!

    Notable Playing Experience

    • University of Memphis

    • Chandler-Gilbert Community College

    Notable Honors and Awards

    • 2021 Juco All-American

    • 2021 Juco Player of the Year

    • 1st Team All-State for 6a Arizona

    • 2018 Arizona High Performance Team

    Why TENACITY?

    I love the message and intention of TENACITY. I want to help players become better on and off the court. I want to make an impact in their lives and be that positive role model that they can look up to. I would also like to start my coaching career and see where it takes me.

  • Notable Playing Experience

    University of Memphis

    Notable Coaching Experience

    • Memphis Metro Volleyball Club (Master Coach)

    • Rhodes College (Assistant Coach)

    • Briarcrest Christian High School (Assistant Coach)

    Notable Honors and awards

    • Two-time high school state champion as a player

    • Two-time state champion as a coach

    • Memphis Business Journal “40 Under 40”

    • 2023 American Volleyball Coaches Association (ACVA) Diversity Award Winner

    Training Certifications

    • B.S., Exercise and Sports Science

  • Fun Fact

    I’m in nursing school.

    Notable Playing Experience

    • Germantown High School

    • Alcorn State University

    Notable Coaching Experience

    Memphis Metro Hutchinson Middle School

    Why TENACITY?

    I believe in the mission of TENACITY and chose to coach here because of their dedication to player development and well-being. The coaching staff's genuine care and commitment to the players stood out to me. I see coaching not just as a way to teach volleyball skills but also as an opportunity to mentor and guide young athletes, and I believe this club shares that perspective. Being part of a team where the players' growth and happiness are paramount aligns perfectly with my coaching philosophy, making it a fulfilling choice for me.

  • Fun Fact

    I had a YouTube channel in college that focused on hair and makeup.

    Number of years as a coach

    Five years

    Notable Playing Experience

    2015-2018 Southeast Missouri State University Club Team

    Notable Honors and Awards

    • TSSAA Division II-A West Region 1st Team All-Region 2012-2013

    • TSSAA Division II-A West Region All District Team 2013

    • Pepsi Volleyball Best of the Preps 2013

    • TSSAA Division II-A West Region Sectionals 4x1, 4x2 Champion 2015

    • 501 Volley Invitational 14 & Under 2nd Place 2020

    • Southaven Club Clash 14 & Under 2nd Place 2023

    • AAU Junior National Volleyball Championship Amethyst Division Champion 14 Aspire 2023

    Why TENACITY?

    I am confident that TENACITY possesses the potential to uplift the volleyball scene in Memphis and the surrounding areas. With our competent coaching staff and top notch facility, we are well-equipped to enhance volleyball training and develop well-rounded athletes.

  • Fun Fact

    I donate my hair regularly.

    Number of years as a coach

    Two years

    Playing Experience

    I have played volleyball for 8 years now, starting when I was 11! And now, I am a freshman at Rhodes College. I am an indoor setter, but I also play beach volleyball! I have competed in multiple Junior National Championships for both indoor and beach!

    Notable Honors and Awards

    • St. Louis Academic all state 4x

    • All District and All Conference 4x

    • All- State Team 2x

    Why TENACITY?

    I adore Coach Kiyla!!

  • Notable Playing Experience

    Alcorn State University

    Notable Coaching Experience

    • MASE Middle School (Head Coach)

    • MASE High School (Assistant Coach)

    • Club Coach (Ages 15’- 17’s)

    Training Experience

    • Kenetix Performance and Fitness (Trainer)

    • Club 4 (Class Coach)

    Training Certifications

    • Bachelor’s Biology (Pre-Physical Therapy)

    • ISSA Certified Personal Trainer

    Why TENACITY?

    I have dreamed of being at a place where the goal was more than just winning. A place that would aid in the growth of young girls beyond what they can do on the court. The right club that put focus on being one big family, being one unit. Tenacity is that place, creating a different environment for the players in our area. The club’s intentions are to help each and everyone of these girls to build a better future for themselves.

    Why do you train?

    Training allows me to help others better their lifestyle. How exactly.. by training my clients to have a different mindset about fitness. For a long time I’ve been looking for a way to make a difference in people’s lives and being a fitness trainer permits me to do just that. My main goal is to aid people in learning what fitness really is and it is more than body goals and weight loss— it’s how one chooses to live. One key point is to educate my clients to this fact… fitness is different for everyone but the common goal is health.

  • Fun Fact

    I will be a grandmother for the first time in December of 2023.

    Coaching Philosophy

    Although I want players to develop a love for the game while learning to play properly, I believe team sports teach young people so much more than a game. They learn life skills that are far more important than any ace or kill they will ever get on the court. Team sports teach players to compete in a healthy way, to work with others and cooperate, to communicate in tough situations, to work through difficult situations, and to recognize how one person contributes to a team. These values are key to team success and success in life. I tell my players often I care way more about you being a good human than a good volleyball player.

    Notable Playing Experience

    Huntingdon College

    High School Coaching Experience

    • Incarnation Catholic Church

    • White Station Middle

    • White Station High School

    Club Coaching Experience

    • Lady Blazer

    • Memphis Juniors

    • Memphis Metro-Master Coach

    Notable Coaching achievements

    • Incarnation-PAA 7th and 8th grade champions

    • White Station Middle- Division 1 Large Champions 2013, 2012, 2011, 2009

    • MIAA/SCIAA City Champions 2012, 2011, 2009

    • West TN Sectional Runner-up 2009

    • White Station High- District 16AAA Champions 2022, 2021, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016

    • MSCIAA Champions- 2022, 2021, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016

    • Region 8 AAA- Runner up 2015, 2016

    • West TN Sectional winner 2015 State Appearance- 2015

    • Club- 5th place in 14s in 2019

    Other Notable Achievements

    • AF Bridges Female Coach of the Year- 2019

    • Memphis Shelby County Schools Middle School Teacher of the Year- 2020

  • Fun Fact

    I am afraid of the inside of pumpkins, but I love pumpkin flavored things.

    Number of years as a coach

    Ten years

    Notable Playing Experience

    Washington & Jefferson College

    Notable Honors and Awards

    • Memphis Metro Volleyball Elite coach 6 years

    • White Station Middle School Head Coach 3 years

    • Hamilton High School Head Coach 4 years

    • Conneaut Valley Middle School 2 years

    Notable Honors and Award

    Coaching Spotlight for Shelby County

    Why TENACITY?

    I am excited about the opportunities that TENACITY can offer to the girls with elite coaching, training facilities, and competitive schedules.

  • Fun Fact

    I’m a student in X-ray school at Baptist health sciences university

    Playing Experience

    • Four year varsity starter

    • High school: Captain senior year

    • High school: 2018 District All Tournament Player

    • High school: 2019 All District Team

    Coaching Experience

    2022-2023 club season my 10’s placed 3rd or 4th in the 11’s age group in all tournaments

    Notable Honors and awards

    • College: Dean's list spring 2022

    • College: Acceptance into radiography program June 2022

    • College: Class of 2025 Medical Radiography Representative

    • High School: Part of the National honors society

    • High School: Best Buddies Club from 2017-20

    Why TENACITY?

    I want to be a part of growing the community and a part of something new that is going to be great. I have a love for volleyball and the kids. I want the kids to love not only the sport but their community as much as I do.

  • Notable Playing Experience

    University of Memphis

    Notable Coaching Experience

    • Memphis Metro Volleyball Club (Master Coach)

    • Rhodes College (Assistant Coach)

    • Briarcrest Christian High School (Assistant Coach)

    Notable Honors and awards

    • Two-time high school state champion as a player

    • Two-time state champion as a coach

    • Memphis Business Journal “40 Under 40”

    Training Certifications

    • B.S., Exercise and Sports Science