Our Coaches

Kelley Krainiak, Executive Director

Executive Club Director

Offers Private Lessons 

17 years coaching experience with ECJVC, all ages and levels

Former Head Coach for JH Rose

Big Carolina 3A/4A Coach of the Year 2022

Former Head Coach for JPII Catholic High School

Alumni of East Carolina University, Major in Physical Education and Master's in Sports Management 

OH/RS hitter for the Pirates 2004-2007 

  •  Inducted into the 2021 ECU Athletic Hall of Fame
  •  2-time 1st Team All-Conference
  •  National Player of the Week 
  •  CUSA Student-Athlete of the Year 
  •  All-time kills leader in a season and career 

Played professionally in Finland and Indonesia

Former coach of East Carolina University 2009-2011

ECJVC Coaching Achievements Include: 2014 Big South 14 USA 3rd Place, qualifying for USAV Nationals, multiple Monument City Classic Championships, 2016 & 2018 MAPL Blue Champions, 2017 City of Oaks 15s Champions, 15 USA 3rd place finish at AAU National Championships in 2018 and 2021, 2020 Sunshine Classic Qualifier Champions, qualifying for USAV Nationals, 2022 Sunshine Classic Qualifier 14 USA 3rd Place, qualifying for USAV Nationals, 2022 USAV National Championship 14 USA Finalist, 2023 Northeast Qualifier 17 USA Champion, 2023 Big South 15 USA 3rd Place, 2024 Big South 15 USA Champion, 2024 Northeast Qualifier 16 USA 3rd Place.

 

Ashton Barbee, Assistant Director, Coach

Assistant Director

Offers Private Lessons

12 Years of coaching experience with ECJVC at the head and assistant level

Assistant Volleyball coach at JH Rose High School: 2025 State Champion

Former Assistant Volleyball coach at John Paul II

Former Assistant Volleyball coach at South Central High School

ECJVC Alumni - 3 years as an OH/RS hitter

Coaching Achievements include: 14s Revoluationary Rumble Champions, 3rd place at Capitol Hill Classic, 2nd place at MAPL Hampton, 14s VA Beach ACPL Champion

Former Assistant coach at AG Cox Middle School

Wendie DeHart, Assistant Director, Coach

Assistant Club Director 

13U Program Director

29 Years of coaching experience: 11th year with ECJVC

Clubs include: Smoky Mountain Juniors, Lexington Select, Thoroughbred Elite, Lexington United and Coastal Plains Volleyball Club.

Head coach of AG Cox middle school and former JV coach and Varsity assistant of Oakwood School winning 1A State Championship

ECJVC Coaching Achievements include: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 City of Oaks 12s Champions, 2016 & 2017  Revolutionary Rumble 12s Champions, 2016 & 2023 East Championship 12s Division 1st, 2023 East/West 12s Championship 1st

Western Kentucky University Graduate / Graphic Design

Transaction Coordinator for The Stancill Realty Group, Keller Williams Points East

Kayla Ruffin, Facilities Manager, Coach

Offers Private Lessons

Facilities Manager

12 years coaching experience with ECJVC at the head and assistant level

Assistant Volleyball Coach at North Carolina Wesleyan University

Former Head Varsity Coach at South Central High School

ECJVC Alumni 3 year libero

Coaching Achievements include: 14s Revolutionary Rumble Champions, 14s Division II Monument City Classic Champions, 17s Division 1 Regional Top Finish, 18s Queen City Classic Champions,18s Bid to USAV Nationals with 5th place finish

Graduate and former softball player of Pitt Community College

Julianna Askew, Coach

2nd year coaching with ECJVC

Played club at East Coast VBC in Wilmington, NC then at Viper VBC in Temecula, CA

Graduated from Ashley High School:
-NCHSSA Beach Volleyball State Champion 2017 & 2018
-Star news High School Player of the Year 2018 & 2019
-Mid-Eastern Conference Player of the Year 2018 & 2019

Played indoor & beach volleyball for 3 years at University of North Florida then transferred to ECU for indoor volleyball last 2 years

All freshman team selection, 2nd team all conference, won ASUN beach volleyball championship, recorded almost 4,000 assists throughout career

Played Professionally in Puerto Rico after college career:
-Rookie of the year Runner-up
-Setter of the year Runner-up

Graduated from East Carolina University undergrad with BS in Communications and Composite Natural Sciences

Currently at ECU in their Accelerated Bachelor of Science Nursing (ABSN) program

Katie Virtue Baggett, Coach

Offers Private Lessons 

1st year coaching with ECJVC

Coaching experience includes: 

  • Annapolis Volleyball Club (14U)

  • USA High Performance Volleyball Lead and Assistant Coach

  • Schaumburg (IL) High School - Girls Assistant Coach

  • Wheaton Warrenville South (IL) High School - Girls Assistant Coach

  • St. Francis (IL) High School - Boys Varsity Assistant Coach

  • St Francis Desales (OH) High School - Girls Varsity Head Coach

  • New Albany (OH) High School - Girls Varsity Assistant Coach

Former Assistant Volleyball Coach at East Carolina University (2009-2011)

Former USA National Team Member (2007)

Alumna of Ohio State University 

          Bachelor of Science Business Administration, Marketing Major (2003)

          Master of Arts, Counselor Education (2006)

Setter for the Buckeyes 1999-2002 

  • Big Ten Freshman of the Year (1999)

  • Big Ten All-Freshman Team (1999)

  • Asics/Volleyball Magazine Freshman All-American (1999)

  • All-Big Ten Conference Selection (2000, 2001, 2002)

  • Asics/Volleyball Magazine All-American (2001)

  • Big Ten Sportsmanship Award (2002)

  • Buckeye Power Club (2001, 2002, 2003)

  • National Strength & Conditioning Association All-American (2002)

  • Ohio State All-time Career Assists Leader

Played professionally in Italy and Spain

Currently works as a mom and homeschool teacher for her four children in Greenville

Jackson Blizzard, Coach

Offers Private Lessons

6th year coaching with ECJVC

JV Coach at JH Rose: 2025 State Champion

EC Beach coach

Began coaching ECJVC clinics in August 2020

Assisted for Eppes Middle School Volleyball in 2020

Participates in many outdoor and indoor adult leagues

 

Mason Buck, Coach

1st year coaching with ECJVC

Current member of the East Carolina University Men's Club Volleyball Team

Before joining ECJVC, gained valuable experience in leadership and mentoring through years of playing, volunteering, and organizing local volleyball events

Pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Marketing at East Carolina University
 

Cody Carmichael, Coach

8th year Coaching with ECJVC

Current Director of Operations for the East Carolina University Volleyball Program

Former Christ Covenant Middle School Coach

Former Assistant Coach at Halifax Academy

Former East Carolina University Men’s Volleyball Club Player

East Carolina University Graduate / May 2018 Bachelors in Business Administration (Management)

 

Ashley Dienes, Coach

1st Year Coaching at ECJVC / 2 years coahing experience

Former assistant coach at DASH Homeschool

Current 18 National Player / 5 years with ECJVC

3 years as MB/OH with New Life Storm, 2-time NCHEAC Champions

Kendall Douglas, Coach

8 years coaching experience (ECJVC, NC Elite, Triangle, Cary Christian School)

ECJVC Alumni (8 years)

Manager for UNC volleyball for 3 years while in college Libero Tracker for UNC volleyball for 4 years

Graduated with a BS in Psychology from University of North Carolina

Worked in Real Estate in Triangle area for 5 years before moving back to Greenville at the end of 2024

Currently Business Manager for Carolina Commercial Flooring in Greenville

Elana Fuller, Coach

2nd year coaching with ECJVC

ECJVC Alumni – 5 years as a National-level Middle Blocker

Former NCAA Division I volleyball player

Graduate of D.H. Conley High School

     2-year Varsity player

     NCHSAA 3A State Runner-Up

     Pepsi Player of the Week (2019)

     Eastern Conference Player of the Year (2019)

Master of Business Administration – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Business Development Representative I at Hyster-Yale Materials Handling

Maggie Gillette, Coach

5th Year Coaching with ECJVC

EC Beach Director

Piedmont Volleyball Club Alumni

Played high school, indoor club, and beach volleyball 

Founding member of Beach South Volleyball Club in both their summer and year-round beach training programs

Played libero and defensive specialist in club and OH all-around as team captain in high school

Graduated cum laude from East Carolina University with a Bachelors in Science in GIS Technology / a minor in fine arts / and SCUBA diving certifications including Scientific and Rescue diving certifications

Danielle Hayden, Coach

2nd Season Coaching ECJVC

2023-2024 14S Head Coach
Gold Medal Locomotive Classic
Gold Medal Revolutionary Rumble

2012-2014 Year Varsity Libero Jacksonville High School & Varsity Captain

2011-2014 Premier and Region 3 soccer player for JASA Club Soccer

ECU Club Soccer 2016

ECU College of Nursing Graduate 2018

Emergency Department Travel Nurse 2023-2025

Currently the ECU Health Trauma Coordinator

Auliee Huff, Coach

2nd year of coaching at ECJVC

Currently a RS Junior on the ECU womens D1 Volleyball Team

2023-24 All-Academic Team

Currently majoring in Exercise Physiology at ECU

Rebecca Jernigan, Coach

Offers Private Lessons

11th year coaching with ECJVC / 12 years coaching experience

Former JV Head Coach at South Central High School 4 years and Varsity Assistant for 6 years

ECJVC 2 Year Alumni Setter/RS

Currently Math Teacher and Math Instructional Coach at South Central High School

DJ Johnson, Coach

5th Year coaching with ECJVC

Played club volleyball as a setter and libero for Ku’ikahi Volleyball Club for 6 years

Played High School Men's Volleyball at Kalaheo High School, Pearl City High School and Baldwin High School in Hawaii

Practice player for the University of Hawaii in 2011

Former ECU Mens Club Volleyball President and 3 year setter. Divisional Champions for ECVA Men’s Club South East Division. All ECVA Team Division 2 Setter

Former Assistant Coach at Ephiphany School of Global Studies

Currently Working as a Respiratory Technician and finishing degree in Respiratory Therapy at Pitt Community College

A relative of Kanani Danielson, AVP player Falyn Fonoimoana, and Hall of Fame Inductee Allen Allen
 

Devany Johnson, Coach

2nd year coaching with ECJVC; 3 years coaching experience

High school varsity libero - 2 years

Club volleyball OH and libero/DS - 4 years

University of St. Thomas in MN graduate - BS in Biochemistry 

Info to Come

Olivia Jones, Coach

Info to Come

1st year coaching at ECJVC

ECJVC alumni

Set for premier level team for 6 years 

Senior at J.H Rose High school

Setter on varsity for 3 years

Finished 2nd in the 3A state championship in 2024

Finished 1st in the 6A state championship in 2025

Elana Joyner, Coach

3rd year coaching with ECJVC

Assistant Coach at AG Cox middle school

ECJVC Alumni: played 5 years as a National Team DS/L

South Central High School: played DS/L all 4 years for varsity

Former DS/L at Winston Salem State University for 2 years

Sammi Justice, Coach

1st year coaching with ECJVC

7 years playing experience

Former Setter and Right side 

Currently a Sophomore at ECU studying Sports Management 

Hannah Kaiser, Coach

Second year coach at ECJVC

Played four years of club at NC Coastal 

Played three years of club at East Coast Volleyball Academy

Studying Marketing with a Minor in Biology at ECU

Stacy Krainiak, Coach

12th season coaching with ECJVC

Worked with ECU Volleyball from 2007-2011

Alumni of ECU, undergraduate degree in Exercise Physiology and Doctorate of Physical Therapy

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist

Current Physical Therapist at Greenville VA Health Care Center / Captain in the Army National Guard

ECJVC Coaching Achievements include: top finishes in MAPLs, Monument City Classic, and City of Oaks. 2015 Capitol Hill Classic Champions, 2023 Northeast Qualifier 17 USA Champion, 2024 Southeast Qualifier 18 USA finalist, qualifiying for USAV Nationals, 2024 Big South 18 Challenge Champion

James Landers, Coach

5th year coach at ECJVC / 7 years club coaching experience

Former Head JV and MS Coach, Assistant Varsity Coach at Greenfield School in Wilson, NC

Played intra-mural, coed recreational and state VB tournaments while attending University of Kentucky

Former member of University of Kentucky Men's Club Soccer team

Occupation: VP, Head of Cloud, DevOps and Managed Infrastructure Services at EXL

Katie Lovell, Coach

1st Year coaching with ECJVC

7 years of playing experience

Played Libero all four years at Jacksonville High School

Captain for Senior Year in High School

2 years of club experience at ECVA

Currently a junior at East Carolina University studying for a Business Management degree, with a minor in Psychology

Kayla McDuffie, Coach

1st year coaching with ECJVC

ECJVC Alumni

Alumni of Queens University of Charlotte - Former MB for 4 years

Queens Senior student Athlete of the Year 2021-2024

Major: Multimedia Storytelling  / Minor: Sports Communication 

Riley McGalliard, Coach

1st year coaching at ECJVC

ECJVC alumni

  Set on a national level team for 6 years

  Placed 3rd at nationals 14s and 17s seasons

Senior at DH Conley high school

  Setter on varsity for 2 years 

  Finished 2nd in the state for 7A during the 2025 season

Ryan Morrissey, Coach
1st year coaching with ECJVC

Vice president of men's club volleyball at ecu

3rd year of playing volleyball

Practice player for the East Carolina Universiy Women's Team 
Danielle Munoz, Coach

Offers Private Lessons 

14 years coaching experience with ECJVC from the 12's-17's age group

Head Varsity Coach at John Paul II High School

Former Varsity Volleyball Coach at Farmville Central High School | 2016 Coastal Plains Conferencel Coach of the Year

Coaching Achievements include: 2009 & 2010 Regional 12s Division 1 Champions; 2009 & 2010 Monument City Classic 12 Open 2nd place, 2012 Revolutionary Rumble 14s Division Champions, 2013 Revolutionary Rumble 13s 2nd Place, 2014 Big South 17-Club Top 25 Finish, 2015 East Regional 14s Division 1 Champions, 2015 MAPL Red 14s Champions,  2016 JVA Charlotte 14s 2nd Place, 2016 AAU 14-Club Ruby Champions, 2016 Capital Hill Classic 14-Open 3rd Place, 2017 MAPL Red 14s Champions, 2017 Big South 14-Club Top 5 Finish, 2016 AAU Ruby Division 14-Club 2nd Place

East Carolina University Graduate | English Education | Instructional Technology & Design 

Realtor at Keller Williams Points East

English Teacher at John Paul II High School

Sarah Murray, Coach

3rd year coaching with ECJVC

Head JV Coach at John Paul II High School

Former head coach at CM Eppes middle school

Played 2 years of club volleyball at Lamar University (middle blocker)

Played 2 years at Rockland Community College (middle blocker)

Played 4 years at Cornwall Volleyball Club (outside hitter, middle blocker, right side hitter)

Played 4 years at Monroe-Woodbury High School (outside hitter, middle blocker)

Lamar University graduate / BS in Mechanical Engineering

Currently pursuing Masters in Theological Studies at Gordon-Conwell

Theological Seminary Communications Director for GCF Church

1st year of coaching with ECJVC

Played collegiate volleyball at NC State (2020-2022)

Played NC State Club volleyball (2023)

Currently in ECU Doctor of Physical Therapy program

April Nichols, Coach

Offers Private Lessons

8th year coaching with ECJVC at the National level / 4 years head coaching experience at Triangle VBC

ECJVC Alumni

USA South All Academic

Former RS of Meredith College - USA South All-Academic honors 2012-2016 , Helped Meredith claim the USA South North Division Regular Season Championship

Meredith College 2016 - BS in Business Administration

Ashlee Nielsen, Coach

3rd year coaching with ECJVC

12 years of high school volleyball experience with Farmville Central High School at the head and assistant level, 2 years with pre-travel program at ECJVC 

Graduated from ECU in 2016 with a Bachelor’s in English Education

Worked as an English teacher at FCHS for 7 years, 1 year as Student Support Specialist at Topsail High School 

Anthony Pagano, Coach

5th year coaching with ECJVC 

EC Beach coach

Former Carolina East coach

Former Mens ECU club team player

Played and coached with JH Rose volleyball program

Courteney Pitt, Coach

4th year coaching at ECJVC / 5 Years coaching experience

Former head varsity volleyball coach at Farmville Central High School

Head coached at Piedmont (14s)

Assistant coach at Carolina Spike Force(16s)

ECJVC Alumni

Former North Carolina A&T State University volleyball player: 3 time 1st team all-conference / 2nd in school history in kills per set

Graduate from North Carolina A&T State University, May 2021 Sports Science and Fitness Management

Vickie Price, Coach

4th year with ECJVC: 8 Years of coaching experience

Former Head coach of Hobgood Academy

Former assistant coach at Bear Grass Middle School

Former assistant coach at MCVC

Played at Pitt Community College 2003-2005 / Setter-OH-Captain

Education: East Carolina University - Accounting

Occupation: Distributed Generation Program Manager

 

 

Jessie Sbrocco, Coach

3rd year coaching with ECJVC

Former Libero/DS at Wake Technical Community College

High school captain and setter- 4 years

Club volleyball libero- 7 years

Graduated in 2017 from Coastal Carolina Community College for Surgical Technology

Lead Surgical Tech/Specialty Coordinator for transplant and surgical oncology at ECU Health

Caitlyn Smirne, Coach

Offers Private Lessons

5th year coaching with ECJVC 

ECJVC Alumni- 7 years as an OH and history with setting

Graduate from Lees-McRae College, May of 2021

Former Lees-McRae College Women's Volleyball Team player

3rd team all-conference 2019-2020 season

1st team all-conference 2020-2021 season 

Emily Smith, Coach

4th year coaching with ECJVC

ECJVC Alumni

Attended JH Rose High School varsity player 3.5 years

Current member and officer of ECU women's club volleyball team

Studying Elementary Education at ECU

Jadyn Smith, Coach

2nd year coaching at ECJVC

Attended South Central High School and played DS and OH

Currently attending and playing at North Carolina Wesleyan University

Current Libero for North Carolina Wesleyan University

2024 USA South Academic All-Conference
2024 USA South All-Sportsmanship Team
2024 CSC Academic All-District
2025 Moe Bauer Sportsmanship Award
2025 Maroon Classic All-Tournament Team

 

Morgan Spohn, Coach

5th year coaching with ECJVC

EC Beach Coach

Played Middle in High school for Caldwell Academy

Played Right Side for Piedmont Volleyball Club

Currently a student a East Carolina University studying for a Chemistry, BA and a Health Services Management, BS

Grace Sweers, Coach

4th year coaching with ECJVC

Assistant coach for Hope Middle School

ECJVC Alumni National level setter 6 years

South Central High School Varsity setter 4 years

Virginia Wesleyan university setter/DS 2 years

East Carolina University Graduate Bachelors in Biology

Pitt community College associates in General Education

Jalen Walker, Coach

3rd year coaching with ECJVC

4 years of playing experience

Former President of the ECU Men’s Club Volleyball team

Former ECU Women’s Volleyball practice player

ECU Graduate Bachelor's in Biology with a minor in Hispanic Studies 

Casandra Watson, Coach

1st year coaching with ECJVC / 3 years coaching experience

ECJVC Alumni

Coached at Sandhills Volleyball Club

2016 & 2018 NCHSSA 2A State Champion at North Pitt Highschool

News & Observer All-Metro VB 2018

All CIAA Volleyball First Team (Outside Hitter) and All-Rookie Team 2019

Rookie of the week (10/8/2019), Rookie of the week (10/21/2019), Rookie of the week (11/4/2019)

CIAA All Tournament Team, CIAA Rookie of the year, and CIAA Conference Champion 2019

Preseason All-CIAA Volleyball Team, All Tournament Team and CIAA Conference Champion 2021

CIAA All tournament Team 2022

FSU Bronco Volleyball Coaches Award 2022

UC Invitational All-tournament team and Tony Banner Volleyball Memorial Tournament All-Tournament Team 2023

All-CIAA First Team and Offensive Player of the week (9/19/2023) 2023

Graduated from Fayetteville State University with Bachelor’s Of Science in Public Health in May 2024.

Currently serving as a Consumer Affairs Coordinator

Emilee Wilson, Coach

2nd year coaching at ECJVC

ECJVC Alumni: Played at ECJVC for 5 years

Attended DH Conley High School

Current freshman setter at NC Wesleyan University 

     USA South Rookie of the Week

      McDaniel Invitational All Tournament Team

Bri Wood, Coach

5th year coaching with ECJVC/ 8 years coaching experience 

Triangle Alumni 

Former ECU Volleyball player; 1st team all conference, 2nd team all conference, 6th player in school history with 1000 kills and digs,  Awarded Ms. Pirate and Athlete of the Year for ECU Athletics in 2020

Graduated from ECU, May 2021 with a BS in Public Health

Graduated from ECU, May 2023 Masters in Sports Management

Director of Student Athlete Development for ECU Athletics

Ashley Yeager, Coach

Offers Private Lessons

9th year coaching with ECJVC / 2 years coaching experience with Choice Premier and Legacy VBA

Played club volleyball for Choice Premier and NORCO in Colorado

Played one season at Belmont Abbey College

East Carolina Women’s Club Volleyball Player

East Carolina University Graduate B.A. in Psychology

Currently attending PCC in their Occupational Therapy Assistant Program