MEMPHIS’ NEWEST VOLLEYBALL CLUB
based out of the memphis sports and events center
TENACITY
[tuh-nas-i-tee] noun
The quality of being determined; persistent forward momentum with a game plan; to never stop trying to achieve a goal even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
ELITE TRAINING.
ELITE FACILITIEs.
TENACITY Volleyball Club is the region's newest volleyball organization, housed in the brand-new Memphis Sports and Events Center.
At TENACITY, our mission is clear: to train athletes of all ages and skill levels in state-of-the-art facilities, helping them become the most fierce and dominant players they can be.
We are proud members of both the USAV, AAU and JVA. We value family, opportunity, and success. We are tenacious. We are TENACITY.
THE FACILITY
Situated in Liberty Park, Memphis Sports and Events Center is a brand new, state-of-the-art venue featuring:
227,000 square feet
32 volleyball courts
Spectator seating for thousands
Two courtside cafes
The facility is already home to some of the nation’s biggest and best youth sporting events (i.e., NCAA Academies, Nike tournaments, Team USA Championships, etc.) and is now the proud home of TENACITY Volleyball Club.
As an added performance perk, TENACITY Volleyball Club members will train primarily on Taraflex courts.
Taraflex has been the preferred volleyball flooring system for the past 10 Olympic games.
Taraflex is widely used at the NCAA Division 1 level.
Taraflex aids in both shock absorption and injury prevention.
Simply put, training in our facility provides players with a distinct competitive advantage.
STAFF
TENACITY has recruited some of the region’s top coaches and trainers to ensure players are provided elite-level instruction.
Meet some of them below!
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KIYLA GLASPER
CLUB DIRECTOR
Club Director, Tenacity Volleyball Club
Memphis native Kiyla Glasper brings nearly two decades of experience as a player, coach, and program leader. A former Division I athlete and two-time state champion, Kiyla is known for her ability to develop athletes and coaches at every level of the game.
A 2014 graduate of Lewisburg High School, Kiyla was a three-year starter who helped lead her team to back-to-back state championships. She was a three-time First Team All-District selection, a two-time Commercial Appeal “Best of the Preps” honoree, and an All-Star Game participant. After high school, she continued her playing career at Freed-Hardeman University and later at the University of Memphis, where she earned a B.S. in Exercise and Sports Science.
Kiyla began coaching in 2016 with Memphis Metro Volleyball, where she quickly rose to Master Coach, overseeing athlete and coach development. She then joined Briarcrest Christian School as Assistant Coach and Director of Operations, helping the Saints win three consecutive state championships and advance eight athletes to collegiate programs. She later joined the staff at Rhodes College, contributing to athlete development at the NCAA level.
Now as the Founder and Club Director of Tenacity Volleyball Club, Kiyla leads with a mission to build athletes, coaches, and culture through excellence.
Beyond Tenacity, Kiyla serves as General Manager of the Memphis Sports & Events Center and National Volleyball Director for Eastern Sports Management, where she oversees volleyball operations and programming across multiple facilities nationwide.
Coach Kiyla is also a known and respected private trainer, having trained athletes from 14U through their college careers across the AAC, SEC, Sun Belt, Atlantic Sun, Mid-American, NAIA, Division II, and Division III conferences.
Guided by her philosophy, “Her motto, “Lead with purpose. Train with precision. Grow with consistency,” captures her approach both on and off the court. Her commitment to building strong athletes, confident coaches, and lasting culture through Tenacity.
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:
• Top-3 USA Gold Finish – Adidas Bluegrass Tournament
• Top-3 USA Gold Finish – Nike President’s Day Classic
• 10–2 Run at AAU Nationals (Orlando, FL)
• 2022 Under Armour All-America Coach
• 2023 Memphis Business Journal 40 Under 40 Honoree
• 2023 AVCA Diversity Award Recipient
• 2024 Memphis Women Who Lead in Sports & Entertainment Honoree
• National Volleyball Director, Eastern Sports Management
B.S., Exercise and Sports Science
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D'Nada Smith
CO DIRECTOR OF TENACITY VBC
Coach D’Nada is our new Co-Director, bringing nearly 20 years of volleyball experience as both a high-level player and coach. A former Division I athlete, D’Nada competed at the collegiate level after a standout high school career and has since dedicated over 15 combined seasons to coaching both school and club volleyball.
This fall, she steps into her first season as Head Coach at White Station High School, after serving as JV Head Coach and Varsity Assistant since 2022. Before that, she led programs at her alma mater, Bolton High School(2018–2020), and Hutchison Middle School (2021–2022), with a total school coaching record of 94–22.
With a deep understanding of the game, D’Nada is passionate about developing athletes on and off the court, focusing not only on skill and performance, but also on leadership, accountability, and confidence. D’Nada has worked with athletes at every stage, from beginners to college recruits, and believes in building strong, positive team culture.
“The mission is bigger than volleyball. My goal is to cultivate a culture rooted in respect, resilience, and representation. I’m committed to growing the game, creating opportunities for young athletes, and elevating the standard of the Mid-south volleyball community. I’m honored to do it serving as Co-Director of Tenacity. Grateful for the opportunity, driven by the mission. Let’s get to work!”
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KIANA McDaniel
SPORTS PERFORMANCE & ATHLETIC ENRICHMENT COORDINATOR
Coach Kiana brings certified expertise and a proven track record in athlete development to Tenacity Volleyball Club. As a seasoned personal trainer with years of hands-on experience, she is known for delivering real results. She builds strength, improves mobility, and sharpens the competitive edge in every athlete she trains. Her sessions are high energy, focused, and designed to develop complete athletes. Stronger. Faster. More confident on and off the court.
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TOSLIN TAYLOR
COMMUNITY OUTREACH COORDINATOR
Coach Toslin Taylor serves as the Community Outreach Coordinator for Tenacity Volleyball Club, bringing a mission-driven approach shaped by her background in Direct Marketing at ALSAC – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Inspired by the support she received during her mother’s second battle with breast cancer, she launched Tenacity Cares to provide athletes with opportunities to give back to the city that has given so much to them. This season, Tenacity Cares will continue to serve through partnerships that align with the Tenacity brand, reflecting core values of service, gratitude, and impact both on and off the court. For any questions or partnership opportunities, please contact Coach Toslin at coachtoslin@gmail.com
2025-2026 Year of Events
December 6th- St. Jude Memphis Marathon
January 5th- Clothing Donation Drive
February 22nd- Pawsitive Impact
March 2nd- Love for Elder’s Letters
April 13th- Canned Food Drive
TRAINING
TENACITY will offer year-round opportunities to work on your game, including:
Positional Camps: Position-focused programs designed to sharpen your overall skill set.
Clinics: Game-like sessions to help elevate your IQ and situational awareness.
Private Lessons: Whether 1-on-1 or small group sessions, these are the most effective way to take your game to the next level as you’ll receive more personalized instruction.
Sports Performance: Let us help you get stronger, faster, and more agile.
TOURNAMENTS
TENACITY’s status as Memphis Sports and Events Center’s house club will give it first access to various tournaments and events, including:
The Mid-South Championship
College Spring Tournament
recruiting
TENACITY staff members are passionate about helping student-athletes achieve their goals of playing at the next level. We also believe that players and families should not only understand but enjoy the recruiting process. Because we’ve been there and done that, our coaches can help you navigate the journey.
Contact us if you’re interested in learning more about the recruiting process. In the meantime, reference the links below:








