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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.

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.

I am thrilled to be a part of the Top Flight team! I am looking forward to passing my knowledge and experience to Top Flight’s upcoming youth.

Ten years old playing in my first volleyball game, I was HOOKED! I remember walking back to serve; looking at the ball, ready for the overhanded ace I was about to deliver. YES, volleyball is in my blood. My teams qualified for the USAV Junior National Championships from age 13U – 18U.

I played Division I volleyball at the University of Rhode Island as a Rightside Hitter. I continued my playing career professionally overseas an Outside Hitter for ΑΣΡ Κόρινθος and won a championship with Sporting Clube de Portugal. Inspired by my career as a professional athlete, I continued my education at Northumbria University Newcastle where I played and earned my Masters of Science for International Sports Management.

I have been coaching volleyball ever since I was 15 years old, and I committed to it after leaving the professional circuit. My coaching philosophy is all about the mindset. If you can flip the switch in your brain, you can outplay and outwork any opponent, but it takes commitment. Making the decision to never let a ball drop, to make aggressive choices, and fight with tenacity until the end of every point, set, and match takes grit and perseverance.

I cannot wait to share my love, my passion and this game with all of the Top Flight families.

Personal Bio:

• As a club player qualified for the USAV National Championships 13U thru 18U
• Played DI at the University of Rhode Island as a Rightside/Opposite
• Played internationally at Northumbria University Newcastle (Edinburgh Scottland)
• Played professionally overseas with ΑΣΡ Κόρινθος
• Won a championship with Sporting Clube de Portugal
• Club Volleyball Coach (Juniors 10-18’s)

Help us in welcoming Rachel to the Top Flight Family!

Club Manager