Learn About Our Staff

Read through our management staff bios. Why did we start coaching? How long have we been involved in the sport? Looking for an email or phone number for our coaches? Look no further! Everyone on staff is listed below.

Contact Info

Owners and Club Directors

All those shirts that read “volleyball is life”… Well I believe it. I’ve been playing volleyball since I was in 5th grade and am a firm believer of how important sports are in life.

My husband and I started top flight with the fundamental principles of providing the best for our athletes and their families. We understand that by having children in club sports it takes dedication from the whole family. We teach athletes life lessons through sports and create a true bonding experience with members of our club.

I coach to make a difference. I expect my athletes to work hard on and off the court. I encourage them to try new things and push themselves to be their best. I love the people that I meet, the lives that I help make a difference, and the career that I have.

Club Director | Illinois, Arizona, Georgia, Ohio and South Carolina

I feel coaching is a way of giving back to the sport which I am so passionate. I have been playing volleyball since I was 15 years old. As I got older I decided to become a coach to help pass along the skills, knowledge, and life lessons I have learned through my playing career. Over the past 20+ years, I have done just that.

I am a true believer you need to teach the “game” of volleyball along with the technical skills required to play. I spend time with my athletes teaching the tactical aspects of the game in an effort to increase their overall volleyball IQ. Understanding the game makes the game easier to play as it slows it down to a manageable pace. This becomes crucial as players become older and start playing at higher levels.

Along with tactical and technical skill development, I push the athletes to learn how to self-motivate, control their emotions, manage their time, and put the team before themselves. These are lifelong skills that can be used beyond athletics and something I believe needs to be taught. They are the intangibles that sometimes help you not only achieve your goals but look beyond them and continue setting new ones.

I coach both boys and girls of all ages. I’ve coached beginner level players through top-level Division I recruits. I’ve coached teams to undefeated seasons and national championships. It doesn’t matter who you are or what level you play I will spend the time with you to help develop in a sport you enjoy playing.

Owner | Illinois, Arizona, Georgia, Ohio and South Carolina

Growing up, I watched my sister, who was six years older than me, play volleyball. We lived in St. Charles, Illinois, where volleyball is a huge industry for young women. I would watch her play and then I would attempt to practice against my garage. When I finally entered middle school, there was a program that I joined in order to learn the basics of the game. From then on, volleyball became a part of life, or better yet, a passion that would only positively impact my life.

Starting in 6th grade, I played middle school volleyball and club volleyball. With that being said, I played volleyball from August to June every year until I graduated high school. I played for Haines Middle School, St. Charles North High School, Fusion Club Volleyball – Elgin, Illinois Heat Volleyball Club, and Top Flight Volleyball Club. It wasn’t until I played for Top Flight that I realized how impactful volleyball was going to be on my life. Throughout the two years of playing for Top Flight, I learned that volleyball wasn’t just a game, but rather it was about learning respect, perseverance, diversity, and gaining friendships.

My 18’s year with Top Flight ended at Nationals that year, the first Top Flight team to qualify and attend. Just two short months later I was attending the University of Georgia and was on their club volleyball team. Wearing red and black with the name Georgia across my back is where I spent the next four years of my volleyball career. In college, the club season is from August to April; therefore, I found myself still playing almost year-round. When I was a junior, I was elected team captain. Because we didn’t have a coach, I was in charge of practice plans, scheduling tournaments, fundraising, spirit wear, team bondings, etc. It was a tough job, but it was well worth it when we won our first home tournament in eight years spring of my senior year.

When graduation came, it was time to decide how I would keep volleyball playing a role in my life. That’s when I decided to become the club coach for the UGA team. I spent one season with them doing the things I did as a captain while allowing the girls to focus on playing. When the season was over, I was offered a job as a head JV coach at Cedar Shoals High School along with being an 18’s club coach at Classic City Volleyball. I spent one season at Cedar Shoals and one season at Classic City before I landed my dream job as a Head Varsity Volleyball coach at East Jackson Comprehensive High School.

This year, my assistant, Milan Juliano, and I led our team to a winning season and to the Sweet 16. Our middle hitter, Sydney Mathis, was named All-State and AVCA GA Player of Week 2017. Our setter and outside hitter were awarded 2nd-Team in our region.

I have fallen in love with coaching for more than one reason, the most important being a positive impact on an athlete’s life. I want to teach more than just volleyball skills, but also life skills. I want my players to love the game, but to love taking risks, dreaming big, and reaching goals. I love watching athletes progress in their skill level along with progressing in their life dreams and goals. I hope to make a lifelong positive impact on all the athletes I coach, just the way my coaches did for me.

Club Director | Georgia

My volleyball career began over 30 years ago when I was introduced to the sport during high school. While also involved in soccer and tennis, I developed a stronger passion for volleyball and pursued it as my main sport. Volleyball quickly became an essential part of my life, teaching me countless lessons about life and teamwork. I have continued to play since, both at the college and adult level. After high school, I attended the University of Kansas and played men’s club volleyball, as one of the only freshmen to be placed on the team. During my time at the University of Kansas, I also worked with the women’s volleyball team for three years. Working under two tremendous coaches, I was allowed to be involved in drills and coordinate some of the practices for the team. Learning from coaches at the college level was a great experience, because I saw firsthand what it took for someone to play at the collegiate level. This was incorporated into my style of coaching, knowing what it takes to make it to the next level, but also realizing that the sport of volleyball is just a game, we play not only to compete but to have FUN. It has equipped me with the capability to prepare athletes with the necessary techniques to excel not only in high school, but also to exceed and play post high school. I have used this experience and incorporated it into my style of coaching, to train the younger athletes I have coached in both high school and club.

In 2003 I was fortunate enough to be given an opportunity that allowed me to get back into the coaching realm at one of the high schools in the Chicagoland area coaching both boys and girls. After 7 years being an assistant coach, I took over as the Boys Varsity coach at another high school. However, I stepped down after 4 seasons (in 2017) for family and as Lebron said, took my talents to Charleston, SC (relocating in August 2018), where I am currently the head Varsity coach at James Island Charter High school. This is a new chapter in life and plan to take all I have learned from my days in the Chicagoland area and apply those with the athletes that I am lucky enough to coach down in the Charleston area.

I’ve been coaching at the club level since 2007, working with both boys and girls from ages 13-18. I have enjoyed every year thus far and look forward to every future team I’ll have the opportunity to coach, as I am able to share my knowledge and passion for volleyball, allowing me to give back to the sport that has given me so much.

Club Director | South Carolina

I began playing volleyball competitively for the Kent State University Men’s USAV Club team as a Middle Blocker in 1993. I played USAV for 17 seasons, winning two OVR Championships in 2004 and 2008.

As I began my high school mathematics teaching career, I also had a strong desire to become a coach. It seemed like a natural extension of wanting to teach young people to excel in the classroom academically. To this day, nothing pleases me like seeing a young person have success and achieve a goal in whatever they’ve chosen to pursue. As a coach, it is my desire to teach the game of volleyball to players in such a way that is meaningful to them both on the court and in their daily lives. By practicing with a focus and having specific goals, both individually and team-oriented, players learn how to achieve success on and off of the court by meeting these practice goals. In competition, it is my desire to prepare players to play the game aggressively, accurately and intelligently. By doing so, winning and team success are virtually assured. Doing this in a respectful manner toward our opponents is essential in the competition setting.

My coaching accomplishments including coaching seven teams to USAV National Championship bids in age groups ranging from 12 to 18. Winning the Northeast Qualifier in the 12U American division is a highlight for me as this team grew incredibly over the course of the season. The 18U team that qualified in the USAV National Division had a roster in which every player was offered a position on a collegiate team. Players on that team completed college playing careers with many team and league honors earned at the Division I level. I have been a part of the leadership groups of numerous clubs, all with success stories of players achieving the goals that they had set for themselves. This includes directing three clubs previously.

My other experiences in volleyball include being an official for many seasons and a BOD member of the Ohio Valley Region for nine years. I presently am the Tournament Manager for the Ohio Volleyball Association where we’ve run quality tournaments for the past three seasons in the states of Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

My wife Jodi and I have been married for 24 years. Jodi is a member of the Eastwood High School and University of Akron Halls of Fame for her exploits in volleyball. Our daughter Kacie has had a successful volleyball career of her own, as she holds 10 school records for volleyball at Wadsworth High School. She was selected District 3 Player of the Year and First Team All-Ohio both her junior and senior years of high school as well as the first three-time Medina Gazette MVP. At the University of Georgia, she was awarded the SEC Freshman of the Year, AVCA Southeast Region Freshman of the Year and All-SEC in 2019. For the 2022 season, she was selected to the All-SEC and AVCA All-Southeast Region teams as well as being selected to the AVCA Third-Team All-American team. Jodi will be on the Top Flight Ohio staff and Kacie is a coach for Top Flight Georgia.

I’m very excited to be working with Sean and Cindy to help grow the game of volleyball in Ohio!

Club Director | Ohio

I love the game of volleyball and passing on knowledge to the new generations. The opportunity to coach is something I take very seriously. I like to ensure that we, as a team, are holding everyone to highest standards of being a good teammate and a good person. It is always my goal to ensure every player is better tomorrow than they were yesterday. That is only accomplished through hard work, dedication and discipline, to not only yourself but the team and club organization.

I am a true believer you need to teach the “game” of volleyball along with the technical skills required to play. I spend time with my athletes teaching the tactical aspects of the game in an effort to increase their overall volleyball IQ. Understanding the game makes the game easier to play as it slows it down to a manageable pace. This becomes crucial as players become older and start playing at the higher levels.

Along with tactical and technical skill development I push the athletes to learn how to self-motivate, control their emotions, manage their time and put the team before themselves. These are lifelong skills which can be used beyond athletics and something I believe needs to be taught. These are the intangibles which sometimes helps you not only achieve your goals but look beyond them and continue setting new ones.

I’ve coached beginner level players through Varsity level. It doesn’t matter who you are or what level you play I will spend the time with you to help develop in a sport you enjoy playing.

Club Director | Arizona

Managers and Coordinators

We would like to welcome Chas Kennedy to the Top Flight staff. Chas brings over 27 years of coaching and playing knowledge. In addition, he has several National Open Championship Wins and even more top 5 finishes. He has lived his entire coaching career with this motto:

“A good coach will make his players see what they can be rather than what they are.” – Ara Parasheghian

He believes athletes need to have two things every day, effort and fun! Keep reading for more information on Chas’s coaching philosophy as well as his volleyball bio.

“To me that means providing the players the technique and movements needed but, more importantly, allowing that player to find the confidence and belief within themselves to be the best volleyball player and person they can be. To achieve this player belief, a point of focus on oneself and many confident correct reps are needed. I believe when a player is moving confidently and in control of themselves, then they can truly understand ball control and, because the “Ball Never Lies,” this is key to winning points on the court.”

“I ask my players for two things in this process: Effort and Fun”

“If you can give it all you’ve got and enjoy the process, then once all players are moving with this confidence within a team, they can finally see what kind of legacy they can leave.”

“I look forward to bringing my passion for volleyball to the coaches, players and families at Top Flight VBC.”

Personal Bio:

  • Career Club Volleyball Coach (Juniors 10-18’s)
  • Played Collegiate and Club Volleyball
  • Head/Assistant Coach, 3 Open Division AAU National Championships.
  • Head/Assistant Coach, Final Four US National teams.
  • 6X Head Coach, AAU/US National Elite 8 Open Division teams.
  • 5X Head Coach, USA National Open Division Qualifying teams.
  • 13X Head Coach, USA National Qualifying teams. (All divisions)

Help us in welcoming Chas to the Top Flight Family!

Director of Player Development & Boys Director | Illinois

Coach Contact Information (Full Staff)

    Aimee Riddle
    Alex Goritz
    Alex Muschong
    Alina Romero
    Allie Cox
    Alyssa Funke
    Alyssa Zagroba
    Amanda Collier
    Amanda Forssander
    Ashleigh Macarthur
    Ashley Zagroba
    Bob Jones
    Brian Coffman
    Brianna Gritzman
    Brittany Parks
    Caitlin Zasadil
    Caroline Zasadil
    Chas Kennedy

    Cindy Gritzman
    Deb Smits
    Elizabeth King
    Emily Blanken
    Erin Williams
    Ireland Van Stone
    Ireland Mahoney
    Jason Leblanc
    Joanna Brown
    Joon Kim
    Jordan Sollars
    Jordyn McVicar
    Karen Rodriguez
    Kaylee Swearingen
    Kevin Allen
    Karen Rodriquez
    Lisa Harrison

    Maggie McGough
    Mallory Kennedy
    Marie Torosian
    Mark Kato
    Mateo Masiclat
    Matthew Leith
    Olysea Bedell
    Omar Cortez
    Paige Smith
    Patrick Gleeson
    Rebecca Kolk
    Sean Gritzman
    Stephanie Layne
    Steven Kay
    Taylor Hehn
    Teresa Satter
    William Benenhaley