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.

Coaches Bio - Andria Humpert - Assistant Coach

Andria Humpert

Andria comes to the Bridge Volleyball Club through Western Kentucky University, where this 6'0" outside hitter, played her collegiate volleyball career.

Under the direction of Travis Huson, the Lady Hilltoppers have a history of being a tough competitor in the Sun Belt Conference. In her four years the program competed in the Semi-finals three times and in 2000 they were the Eastern Division Champs posting an impressive record of 25 - 8. The Hilltoppers are currently pursuing their 4th NCAA Tournament appearance since 2002.

Before her incredible career at WKU she was a stand out athlete at Notre Dame Academy in Park Hills, Kentucky where Andria competed in three state championship matches and won the Kentucky State Championship title in 1994. She played club volleyball for Sports Express. Before moving to San Diego in 2006, Andria coached at her Alma Mater Notre Dame Academy. In the four years she coached at the high School she assisted in 15 players moving on to the next level to play in college. The reason she wants to coach is "to be a positive influence with the girls and to give back and develop the players just the way other coaches worked with me".

Andria graduated Western Kentucky with a double-major in Computer Information Systems and Marketing, earning academic success as a Gordon Ford College of Business Honors Student and graduating Summa Cum Laude. Currently, Andria lives in the Gaslamp District of San Diego and works in Sales for a technology company. She still enjoys playing volleyball and competes in several adult leagues in San Diego.

Coaches Bio - Nick Fotias - Head Coach/Trainer

NICK FOTIAS

Nick's volleyball experience began in his junior year at Point Loma High School, In a P.E. class, taught by coach and volleyball player Don Buechler. He played on the schools volleyball club team and was named captain his senior year, as the starting setter. Nick continued picking up the sport by playing summers on the sands at Ocean Beach.

Following high school, Nick pursued his dream of becoming an Architect by attending San Diego Mesa College. While at Mesa, he stayed involved with volleyball by taking volleyball classes and was soon hired by the Women's Volleyball Team as an assistant coach by then head coach and Ex-Olympian K. Ann Heck.

Nick continued his coaching career by becoming a coach at the newly formed San Diego Volleyball club. The club was directed by Dick Templeman and Dick had competed against Nick in USVBA tournaments and recruited him as a coach. Nick coached with San Diego Volleyball club for the next 20 plus years. Nick coached numerous teams at SDVBC with strong finishes. He had teams finish 3rd and 4th at the US Junior Olympic Championships and recently he 14-under team finish 3rd at the Volleyball Festival in 2001. During his early years with San Diego Volleyball Club, Nick became friends SDVBC Head Coach and volleyball mentor, John Cook. John Cook is now the Head Women's Volleyball coach at the University of Nebraska.

Nick became the Head Girls Volleyball coach at Mt. Carmel High School in August of 1991. In 1995, he helped led the team, to its first and only girl's CIF Volleyball championship. His team defeated arch rival, Poway High school in the finals, with a team featuring seven (7) future Division one women's volleyball players along with one future NCAA first team all-American.

Among Nick's many volleyball jaunts, Nick has coached at the United States International University. That USIU team was the first ever San Diego area college team to defeat San Diego State's women's team at the San Diego City championships. He has directed numerous setting clinics for the University of Wisconsin and Nebraska summer camps and for San Diego Volleyball Club. Nick has been a volunteer assistant coach with the USA men's National team and has served as the technical adviser for the USA Men's volleyball World League competition in San Diego. During the World league, he also served as the liaison for the incoming foreign volleyball teams.

Nick has been an instrumental part in building the Bridge Volleyball Club. Last year he coached the 16-1 team, training the girls has made an immediate impact on their Otay Ranch and Mar Vista High School Teams. This year he is committed to train the coaches as the Lead Trainer/Coach and he will be coaching the 14-1 team. With Nick's assistant, his former USIU player Hawley Woods Gray hopes to build a strong foundation for the future develops of The Bridge VBC.

Coaches Bio - Noelle Moore - Assistant Coach

Noelle Moore

Noelle was born and raised in Winter Park, Florida. The youngest of eight in her family, she attended Orangewood Christian School from Kindergarten to 12^th grade. In high School she lettered in varsity basketball, volleyball, softball and track and field. In grades 9^th – 12^th she was All Conference and All state in Basketball. In grades 10th – 11th Noelle was All Conference in volleyball and in grades 9th – 11th she was All Conference and All State in the Long Jump, Hurdles and the 4 x 100 Relay. In conjunction with all of her high school achievements she also played volleyball for Orlando Volleyball Academy.

This dynamic athlete was also academically savvy as she received the Papa John’s Academic Scholarship in 1999. Noelle attended Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida on a full-athletic scholarship. At Rollins College, Noelle was a four year starter as Middle Blocker from 1999 – 2002. She holds the all time kill record at Rollins College with 1,519 kills in her career. She was apart of the Sunshine State All Conference Freshmen Team in 1999 and made the second team in 2002. She was a member of Chi-Omega Sorority 1999-2002.

After college Noelle coached the 11 year old team for the Orlando Volleyball Academy. As she enters her fifth year of coaching she is most excited about giving back to the kids. Noelle says, “I was fortunate and feel blessed to have received a full scholarship to play volleyball. This gift changed my life and I hope to help others do the same.”

When Noelle is not in the gym coaching she is busy as a successful Marketing/Sales Analyst for Med Impact Health Care Systems here in San Diego. She is a runner and enjoys marathons and ½ marathons.

Coaches Bio - Andrew Fondacaro - Assistant Coach

Andy has vast experience in several different sports. As well as being a certified Athletic Trainer. As an Athletic Training he worked with Cal State Long Beach Volleyball Teams (Men’s/ Women’s) and was the Head Athletic Trainer Junipero Serra High School. While at Junipero Serra he was the Assistant Coach for Girls/Boys Volleyball teams.

In the past, Andy has been one of the on-call Athletic Trainer for Southern California Volleyball Association (Anaheim location) and a Personal Trainer 24hr Fitness. He has also worked with several private clients.

While at Long Beach state he lettered in Men’s Track and Cross Country teams. In addition to being team captain in both sports he qualified for the Big West Conference Championship in the1500 meters and the 3000 steeple chase. Andy was also the team captain of the CSLB triathlon team.

Influenced by Long Beach State’s head coach, Brian Gimmillaro, Andy was the athletic trainer while Misty May was at CSLB, so he got to be apart of some great teams. Last year he was reconnected with volleyball through his daughter Lexi, she played with the Bridge last year on our 12 & under team. Andy is current Full time Fire Fighter for the City of Chula Vista. Andy also has a son, Valenti who is 8 years old.

Coaches Bio - Gregg Wall

Gregg Wall

Gregg has been playing volleyball for over 25 years. He is another product of San Diego volleyball; beginning his volleyball career at Monte Vista High School and then continuing on to Grossmont College. He played club volleyball for Fred Featherstone in the early years of Seaside Volleyball Club and he considers Coach Featherstone one of his coaching mentors.

In addition to his years of playing experience, Gregg has coached at Monte Vista High School in the early 90's. Gregg is looking forward to this season and supporting all of the players on his team and in Bridge Volleyball. He believes that giving them the same opportunities he had in club including learning the mental and physical aspects of the game are paramount. His ultimate goal for coaching is to create a place of success and continued growth for everyone he works with.

Gregg is a Project Manager for a Web Development Company. He is a San Diego Native and enjoys gaining knowledge and traveling the world. He is a master computer trainer and runs MSInstuctor.com. He also enjoys competing in 4 and 6 man volleyball leagues throughout Southern California.

Coaches Bios - Debbie Isaia

Debbie Isaia

This will be Debbie 12^th year coaching. She has coached at several high schools through San Diego: Valhalla, Eastlake, Southwest, Bonita Vista, Otay Ranch and Montgomery. Debbie got her coaching start in Kansas City after graduating from Baker University. She coach for Midwest Juniors until she decided to move back home to San Diego.

Debbie is a true product of the Sweetwater School District, she played at Southwest High School and Southwestern College before being offer a scholarship to finish her career at Baker University in Kansas.

Several coaches have influenced her career as a coach and player. These influences include Karen Day Cravens, Fred Sills and Woody Taeatafa. She has coached several athletes that are playing or have played in college.

Debbie is the mother of 3 girls. She is a PE Teacher at Montgomery High School where she also coaches the Junior Varsity team. Debbie coaches volleyball because she is passionate about the sport. She loves the girls and the transformation they make as they start to learn and understand the game.

Volleyball Tryout

We will begin our 2008-2009 season this weekend with our tryouts for the 14 & under and 12 & under teams. Tryouts will be held at Chula Vista Community Youth Center Gym on Lst between 4th and 5th Ave from 1:00 - 3:00 PM. The cost is $35 for the three tryout sessions if you pay in advance on our website. For more detail check out our website at www.bridgevolleyball.org.

The Bridge Volleyball Club is a non profit organization sponsored by The Bridge to the Future Foundation. We are committed to the development of youth volleyball in the south bay communities of San Diego. Our goals include training young athletes in the fundamental skills of volleyball, giving them the ability to be competitive in their middle and high school programs. We provide a foundation for their school programs to build on in hopes of competing in CIF Championships in the future. In addition, we provide an avenue for these athletes to receive college exposure and those participants with the ability and academic success maybe able to further their volleyball careers.