Our Coaches

Kelley Krainiak, Executive Director

Executive Club Director

Offers Private Lessons 

15 years coaching experience with ECJVC, all ages and levels

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 

Former 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

 

Ashton Barbee, Assistant Director, Coach

Assistant Director

Offers Private Lessons

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

Assistant Volleyball coach at JH Rose High School

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

27 Years of coaching experience: 8th 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

10 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

1st year coaching at ECJVC

Viper Alum

Former ECU Volleyball setter; Recorded almost 4,000 career assists

Will graduate from ECU in May of 2024 with a BS in Communications and Composite Natural Sciences

Mackenzie Behr, Coach

Info To Come

Jackson Blizzard, Coach

Offers Private Lessons

4th year coaching with ECJVC

EC Beach coach

Began coaching ECJVC clinics in August 2020

Assisted for Eppes Middle School Volleyball in 2020

1 season coaching youth softball

Coached a special needs youth baseball league

Participates in many outdoor and indoor adult leagues

 

Kyra Bryant, Coach

1st Year coaching with ECJVC

Played 3 years of club as outside & ds with Apex Performance Stars National Team

Played 4 years with NCHEAC Volleyball as Setter / Libero

Played 2 years with Southern Sands Volleyball Junior League

Played 1 year with Central Carolina Community College as DS/Libero

Former DS / Libero of William Peace University 

Graduate of William Peace University / BA in Communications & Public Relations 

Cody Carmichael, Coach

6th 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)

 

Hailey Ellis, Coach

Offers Private Lessons

6th year coaching with ECJVC /  9 years coaching experience

Coached All ages 10-15 in developmental, rec ball clinics and regional levels

Played club with Lenior Fusion as libero

4 year DS at South Lenoir High School

Graduated Cum Laude from NC State University with a BS in Plant Biology and Minor is Animal Science

Gratuated from Iowa State University for MS in Plant Breeding and Genetics

Works for North Carolina Dept of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Maggie Gillette, Coach

3rd Year Coaching with ECJVC

EC Beach Coach

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

Rebecca Jernigan, Coach

Offers Private Lessons

9th year coaching with ECJVC / 11 years coaching experience

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

Info to Come

Danielle Hayden, Coach

1st year coach ECJVC Camps/Clinics Coach

Jacksonville High School alumni- varsity Libero 4 years

Former player Venom Volleyball Club- Jacksonville NC 4 years

ECU College of Nursing Alumni 2018

Duke University School of Nursing Alumni 2021

 

Ginny Howard, Coach

Offers Private Lessons

11 years coaching experience: 8th year with ECJVC

Varsity Volleyball Coach at JH Rose High School

Former Varsity coach of Oakwood School: Awarded 2018 Coach of the Year

ECJVC Alumni

2 years J.H Rose High School varsity player on State Championship team

Former Pitt Community College and Barton College Player

  • Conference Carolinas Presidential Honor Roll 
  • Academic All-Conference honoree
  • NJCAA award winner for Exemplary Academic Achievement

Graduated from Barton College

Physical Education Teacher at JH Rose High School

Coaching achievements include: 2014 Winter Bump Champions 14 Club, 2016 Regional Championship, 2018 16 Girls Rumble Champions, 2018 16 East Division 1 Champions, 2019 16 East Division 1 Champs and 2019 Revolutionary Rumble 16s Champs

DJ Johnson, Coach

3rd 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
 

Anaiah Jones, Coach

2nd year coaching with ECJVC; 4 years coaching experience

3 year All region and all state 

Carolina Juniors Volleyball alumni with 8 years of libero and outside history

Former collegiate athlete at East Carolina University

3 time PAC-7 Player of the Year 

Currently pursuing bachelors degree in Hospital Administration at East Carolina 

Elana Joyner, Coach

First year coaching with ECJVC

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

James Landers, Coach

3rd year coach at ECJVC / 5 years club coaching experience

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: Senior VP, Head of Public Cloud Platforms at Truist Financial

Hannah Kaiser, Coach

First year coaching with ECJVC

Played four years of club with NC Coastal

Played three years of club at East Coast Volleyball Academy

Currenty attending East Carolina Universtiy for BS in Biology

Ava Kaestner, Coach

2nd year coaching with ECJVC

Played 5 years of club ball as an outside & all-around, Jammers Volleyball Club, Durham

Played 4 years at Northern High School, Durham

Former youth summer camp counselor, iWalk the Eno, Durham

Former youth tennis instructor, Eno Valley Swim & Racquet, Durham

Currently a student at ECU, pre-nursing program

Stacy Krainiak, Coach

10th 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 Orthopaedics East

ECJVC Coaching Achievements include: top finishes in MAPLs, Monument City Classic, and Carolina Region Championships. 2015 Capitol Hill Classic Champions

Danielle Munoz, Coach

Assistant Club Director 

Offers Private Lessons 

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

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 

Sarah Murray, Coach

First year coaching with ECJVC

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

April Nichols, Coach

Offers Private Lessons

7th year coaching with ECJVC at the National level / 3 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

Anthony Pagano, Coach

3rd year coaching with ECJVC / 3 years coaching experience

EC Beach coach

Former Carolina East coach

Former Mens ECU club team player

Played and coached with JH Rose volleyball program

Hannah Patton, Coach

2nd year coaching with ECJVC

Assistant varsity volleyball coach at Greenville Christian Academy for 4 years (2019-present)

Former assistant jv volleyball coach at Greenville Christian Academy for 2 years

Former middle school basketball assistant coach at Greenville Christian Academy for 3 years

Former varsity girls soccer assistant coach at Greenville Christian Academy for 4 years

Played middle school, jv, and varsity volleyball at Greenville Christian Academy

Graduate from East Carolina University in May 2023 and plan to start PTA school in the fall

Lauren Phillips, Coach

3rd year coaching with ECJVC / 5 years coaching experience

5 Seasons on the Meredith College Volleyball team: USA South First Team all conference - 2019, USA South Libero of the Year - 2019, NCCSIA All State - First Team - 2019, 2 time USA South 2nd team all conference - Spring 2021 & Fall 2021, 5x Academic All-Conference, 3x Meredith College Defensive Player of the Year 

ECJVC Alumni Setter

Graduate from Meredith College, May of 2021

Director of Marketing and Communications - Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce

4th year coaching with ECJVC / 2 years coaching experience with NC Power VBC

ECJVC Alumni

Former Head Coach at Farmville Central High School

North Carolina A&T State University MB/RS, Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work

Coaching achievements: 2016 Carolina Region Champion, 2017 Quest for Excellence Champion

Courteney Pitt, Coach

2nd year coaching at ECJVC / 3 Years coaching experience

Current 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

2nd year with ECJVC: 6 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

 

 

Katie Rowland, Coach

2nd year coaching with ECJVC

Played 6 years of club ball in Raleigh as a setter at Triangle Volleyball Club

Played 4 years at Middle Creek High School

Attending East Carolina University in the Miller School of Entrepreneurship

Trayce Wilson-Ruffin, Coach

Offers Private Lessons

9th year coaching with ECJVC / 10 years coaching experience

Former JV Coach at South Central High School

Coaching Achievements Include: 2016: 13s City of Oaks Champions, 13 Division 1 Regional Championship Runner-up, 13s Charlotte JVA Champions, Big South 13-Open Top 10 Finish, AAUs 13 Premier Top 10 Finish 2017: 14s 3rd Place at Big South 2018, USA Bid to USAV Nationals 2018

Pitt County Recreation League Referee

Former East Carolina University Men’s Volleyball Club Player

Former East Carolina University Volleyball Manager

East Carolina University Graduate /  Major in Sport Studies and Minor in Business

Caitlyn Smirne, Coach

Offers Private Lessons

4th 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 

Currently pursuing a degree at East Carolina University in Child Life

1st year coaching with ECJVC

Played DS and OH at South Central High School

Currently attending Pitt Community College

Morgan Spohn, Coach

3rd year coaching with ECJVC

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

Brady Sullivan, Coach

2nd year coaching at ECJVC

10 years playing experience

4 years Men's varsity high school Volleyball

5 years AA adult leagues 

1-year East Carolina University Men’s Volleyball Club Player

Vice President of the East Carolina University Men’s Club Team

Currently perusing a degree in Sports Studies with a minor in Communications at ECU

Bri Wood, Coach

3rd year coaching with ECJVC/ 6 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

2nd year coaching at ECJVC/ 3 years of coaching experience

Triangle Volleyball Club alumni

Head coached at Piedmont

Current ECU volleyball player / 5th year senior majoring in Communications. Transferred from UNCG, playing volleyball for 3 seasons there.

Ashley Yeager, Coach

Offers Private Lessons

7th 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  

Caroline Franklin, Junior Assistant Coach

2nd year coaching with ECJVC

Pre-Travel Teams, Camps & Clinics Coach

ECJVC 18 National Player

Arendell Parrott Academy, Grad Year 2024

 

Emily Smith, Junior Assistant Coach

2nd year coaching with ECJVC

Pre-Travel Teams, Camps & Clinics Coach

ECJVC 18 National Player

JH Rose, Grad Year 2024