Coaches Bio - Jennifer Saleamua

Honors and Awards

• Two-Time AVCA All-American
• Three-Time AVCA All-Central Region
• Four-Time All-Big 12
• Two-Time Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year (2004-2005)
• 2005 NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team
• 2005 NCAA Omaha Regional All-Tournament Team
• 2005 USA Volleyball A2 National Team member
• 2005 InfoUSA/Arby’s Players Challenge All-Tournament Team
• 2002 US Bank/Arby’s Classic All-Tournament Team
• Big 12 Player of the Week (Oct. 25, 2004)

Saleaumua enjoyed an impressive high school career at Bonita Vista High School for Coach Carolyn Taeatafa-Hudson • Named Volleyball Magazine’s National High School Player of the Year in 2000 after guiding Bonita Vista to a 43-0 record, the 2000 CIF state championships and a No. 1 national ranking • Set a CIF record for single-match kills with 57 in the state championship match • Selected as the San Diego Union-Tribune Co-Female Athlete of the Year, the California Interscholastic Federation Player of the Year, the California Gatorade Player of the Year, the Paul Mitchell All-American Player of the Year and the Metro League MVP as a senior • Competed for the Coast Volleyball club, winning the USVBA silver medal in the 17-and-under division in 1999 and the bronze medal in the 17 open division the following year • Also played three seasons of basketball at Bonita Vista •

After being highly recruited, Jennifer landed in Lincoln, Nebraska. One of the most versatile players in Nebraska school history, Jennifer Saleaumua helped redefine the outside hitter position at Nebraska. A two-time AVCA All-American, she finished her career with 1,247 kills and a school-record 1,568 digs and one of only two players in school history to total both 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs in a career. Saleaumua finished ninth on NU’s career list with 1,247 kills and totaled 40 double-doubles in 131 career matches. As a senior, she averaged 2.33 kills and 3.76 digs per game, leading all Big 12 outside hitters in digs per game. Saleaumua closed out her career in fine fashion with 12 kills on .545 hitting and nine digs in the national championship match against Washington. A four-year starter, she earned All-Big 12 honors in each of her four seasons at NU, and was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in both 2004 and 2005. She helped Nebraska to the NCAA finals against the Washington Huskies, although they finished runner-up in 2005 Jennifer lead the nation and set a school record, as opponents hit just .105 against the Huskers.

Shortly after the loss to the Huskers in the final, Jennifer made the decision to go play professionally in Puerto Rico. A tough decision as one of Jen’s goals was to become the first female in her family to graduate college, she took the risk of leaving college for another time and going to play in the international professional arena. Jennifer played for the Mayaguez Indians. After one season in Puerto Rico, she returned to Nebraska to finish school and earn her degree, she graduated in 2007.

Today, Jennifer works for Southwest Airlines and enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Coaches Bio - Woodie Taeatafa - Head Coach

Bio to come.

Coaches Bio - Hawley Woods Gray - Director/Head Coach

Hawley Woods

Hawley is a graduate of Bonita Vista High School in Chula Vista, CA. where she played varsity volleyball and softball earning multiple Mesa League All-Team honors in both sports.

She continued her volleyball career at United States International University, in San Diego, CA. After her junior year, USIU dropped the athletic program and she transferred to Arkansas State in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Hawley was on full scholarship at both Division I schools and finished her volleyball collegiate career as Sunbelt Conference Champions, earning a bid to the National Invitational Volleyball Tournament.

After earning a B.A. in International Business from USIU in 1992, Hawley moved to Little Rock, AR to start a career in coaching at the college level. She was the graduate assistant and later the assistant coach at the University of Arkansas, Little Rock. In her final year at UALR she was instrumental in recruiting the team that later won the Sunbelt Conference in 1995.

While at UALR Hawley began the Little Rock Junior Volleyball Club, (Little Rock Juniors). She helped 11 girls in a three year period receive athletic/academic scholarships to many different schools ranging from Mills College to Duke University. The Little Rock Juniors is still a successful club today and under the direction of Hawley’s mentor Coach Van Compton.

Hawley left UALR to move on to Valparaiso University in Indiana where she was named the Head Women’s Volleyball Coach, Senior Women’s Administrator and Compliance Coordinator. Although her time at Valparaiso only lasted one season, she lead the Lady Crusaders to a Mid-Continent Conference Championship with an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

Hawley coached at the University of San Diego High School in 1996 as the freshman coach. She coached at Mt Carmel High School for four seasons as the JV Coach 2004 – 2007 and assisted with the Varsity team each year. In addition to her high school experience she coached at San Diego Volleyball Club during the 2003 – 2005 seasons. During her time at SDVBC she worked with the 15 -1 and 15-2 teams.

Last year along with the support of several coaches and The Bridge to the Future Foundation, Hawley created the Bridge Volleyball Club. She is committed to bringing a high level of coaching and training to the south bay communities of San Diego.

Her goals include building a nationally recognized program. She looks forward to supporting many girls and boys in their pursuit to become better volleyball players and fostering a program that will improve the high school volleyball programs in the Mesa League and the surrounding communities of the south bay. In addition to improving the competitiveness of the area, Hawley is committed to helping all kids that have the ability to play in college find a school that is an educational fit for the student/athlete. Hawley’s experience in networking, sales and marketing has given her the ability to assemble a strong coaching staff and support system for the Bridge Volleyball Club.

Personally, Hawley is married to Bobby. They live downtown with their cat Abu. They are Charger fans and enjoy spending time with friends and family. Hawley plays beach volleyball and often competes at the USA Open Tournament with her indoor women’s team.

Coaches Bio - Ashley Sarona Ball

Ashly Sarona Ball

Ashly is another native of the Sweetwater School District. Ashly graduated from Eastlake High School. She played club for San Diego Volleyball Club and received a full scholarship to the University of Denver. Ashly led the lady Pioneers for three years as their starting setter. One of Ashly’s strength as a player is that she has a 28 ½ vertical. She was the MVP her senior year at the University of Denver.

Her influence volleyball influence come through in style and tempo. Her coaching mentors include Carolyn Taeatafa Hudson and Beth Kuwata. She is currently the JV coach at Bonita Vista High School. Last year she coached the second team in the 16’s age group for the Bridge Volleyball Club.

Ashly is currently working as a counselor for teens and adults with behavior and mental challenges. She coaches volleyball because she loves the sport. In addition she is working on her teaching credential in hopes to teach and coach at the high school level.

Coaches Bio - Carolyn Taeatafa Hudson

Carolyn Taeatafa Hudson

The Taeatafa family has a long history in the south bay. Competing in several sports while at Sweetwater High School, Carolyn was a three sport standout. She lettered in Volleyball, Basketball and Softball. In Volleyball, Carolyn was CIF Player of the Year her junior year. She received a full scholarship to play at the University of Hawaii. As a freshman Carolyn help led the Lady Rainbow to the final against Texas.

As a coach Carolyn led the Bonita Vista Lady Barons to a 43 – 0 State Championship Season in 2000, they won a five game match against Stockton St. Mary. Carolyn has coached at Epic and Coast volleyball club. That same year she was inducted into the San Diego Hall of Champions as Female Coach of the Year. In 2000 she started a club in the Chula Vista, Momentum VBC. Her 13 years of coaching experience has been beneficial to many young athletes, giving them the opportunity to have successful college careers. Carolyn has coached student athletes that have competed at top rank schools, including Nebraska and Long Beach State.

Carolyn has been married for 11 years to Joe. They have three children, two daughters, Cari and Jenelle and son Jo Jo. Carolyn works for Southwest Airlines as a Ground Operator. Her family lives in the South Bay and her kids attends Bonita Vista High School and Middle School. She coaches to give back and also to support her daughters as they begin their volleyball careers.

Coaches Bio - Eric Robinson

Eric Robinson

Eric started his volleyball career at Arcadia High School in Los Angeles County. While at Arcadia he was captain for three years, rookie of the year as a freshman and 1^st team all league all four years. Eric lead his team to four consecutive Pacific League Championships. As a club player for the Long Beach Volleyball Club he played three Junior Olympic teams - two gold medal teams and one silver medal team. In addition to these successful teams he also had the opportunity to play for the High Performance Team.

Eric has been influenced by many affluent coaches in the Long Beach and Los Angeles area including, Brian Gimillaro, Chuck Freberg and Derek Lucero. He began his coaching career at Long Beach VBC. He also coached for three years at Arcadia High School he trained several top athletes, including girls that played at Fresno State, USC, UC Riverside and Cal Poly Pomana.

In addition to Eric’s coaching and playing experience, he is a certified referee. He attends Concorde Healthcare Institute Studying Surgical Technology and will be returning to either City or Mesa next fall. After Surgical Technology he plans on making strides towards becoming a plastic surgeon.

He is currently training on the sand and plans on making a run at the AVP tour. He coaches because he an opportunity to share his knowledge of the game and teach players what he has learned from the high level coaches he has worked with in the past. Besides volleyball his passion include rescuing Pitbulls; rehabilitate temperament, and promoting their breed.

Coaches Bio - Mica Mustain

Mica Mustain

Mica is another product of the Sweetwater School District and Bonita Vista High School. She was an instrumental part of the BVHS 2000 – 2001 volleyball team that won CIF SD Section and then went on to win State. She continued her career at Mesa College.

Mica has been coaching for the past three years. Currently she is the freshman coach at Mt. Carmel High School. She also coached at Bonita Vista High School and last year with the Bridge Volleyball Club.

Mica graduated from San Diego State this past summer. She lives in Chula Vista and likes to watch football and other sports. She has recently made the decision that she wants to be a coach and will be looking for a graduate program where she will be an assistant to the collegiate volleyball team, while pursuing her Masters Degree.

She enjoys coaching with and learning from her mentor Carolyn Taeatafa Hudson. Mica coaches because she loves volleyball and she wants to help the girls exceed past their own expectations. This year Mica will be coaching her own team and we look forward in a successful season.