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2024 Coaching Staff

Club Setting Coach: Alli Cecchini Erggelet

Bio Coming Soon!

Nike Coaches

15 Nike

Head Coach: Phoebe Bautista

As Phoebe enters her 12th season with Golden Bear Volleyball Club she is excited to call GBVC her home.  Phoebe’s volleyball experience comes directly from being a GBVC alumna and play as a libero at the University of Arkansas.  Phoebe’s love for the game is truly brought out by her coaching style.  She is an advocate for life lessons, team work, commitment, self-confidence, respect and goal setting that she implements in her coaching.  Phoebe’s favorite part about coaching is seeing her former players becoming the best versions of themselves.  

Assistant Coach: Kevin Wright

Kevin is coming back for his second year coaching with Golden Bear. He is excited to share his extensive knowledge of the game and competing at a high level this year. As a player he experienced a lot of success in his home state of Delaware. His high school team repeatedly made playoffs. Kevin was honored as 3rd team All American his junior year and a 2nd team All American his senior year. 

Assistant Coach: Eric Koo

Bio coming soon!

14 Nike

Head Coach: Justin Caraway

email: coachwjc@gmail.com

Assistant Coach: Kevin Lu

Here is Kevin Lu, a long time experienced player and coach that has entered his 2nd season coaching at GBVC. Kevin has played on national level club teams as a setter and libero. His experience with joining the USA A2 High Performance Indoor and Beach Volleyball programs, representing Arizona Region at the All Star Championships, and mentorship under former D1 All-Americans has prepared him to step into the coaching role. Outside of playing and coaching experience, Kevin is proficient with the analytical part of volleyball, particularly with statistics and calculations that go into strategic game plans. Kevin hopes to teach his players not only how to be a skilled volleyball player, but also how to be a good person and teammate on and off the court.

Assistant Coach: Molly Wagner

Bio coming soon!

14 BLUE

Head Coach: Shaun Leong

Shaun is coming back for her second season at Golden Bear. She is excited to return this year as the 14 Blue coach and prepare her team to compete at a high level. She is a Golden Bear alumna, having played for the club from 2005-2006. During her time as a player, she played for several teams that competed in the top of the Gold Division and was the starting setter on her high school Varsity team. When not on the court she teaches high school English and brings many of her classroom skills and educational background into her coaching style and philosophy. She looks forward to helping her players grow as people on and off the court and develop a lifelong love for the game! 

Assistant Coach: A'Nia Ferguson

13 NIKE

Head Coach: Sarah McClendon

Sarah wears many hats for Golden Bear. She is also the club director and co-coach of 18 Gold. This is her 20th year working with Golden Bear Volleyball Club. She loves volleyball and honing in on the details to develop skill. Sarah also enjoys enhancing her player's volleyball IQ by maximizing each contact  and have foresight for the next play. Her goal this year is to elevate the 13s level of play both as individual players and as a team. She is married to her wife Melanie and has two daughters Hazel (8) & Violet (6) and a golden retriever Summer (10). Sarah loves to play beach volleyball, cycle around Davis, and be outside whenever possible.

Assistant Coach: Justin Hoover

Justin Hoover is a Bay Area born and raised volleyball player and coach. In high school he played for Head Royce, winning CIF Northern California Section finals one year and went with his team to NCS finals a second year. He also played four years of club / JO's volleyball. After high school, Justin attended college at Colgate University where he played D-I varsity ice hockey but left the team after a year to play volleyball. He played all the remaining years at Colgate with the club team competing against D-3 schools across NY State. Justin also played in France with the University of Dijon during his study abroad. Justin began his coaching career in 1998 at Head Royce, as the JV girl’s coach, received his first coaching certification from Gold Medal Squared in 2001 coached the Colgate D-1 women’s club volleyball team from 2001-2003. From 2003-2009 Justin coached high school and club volleyball in the Bay Area with M-Power, Xceleration, Golden Bear, and St. Mary’s College High School until 2009. After that, Justin took a break from volleyball and turned to martial arts, gaining a black belt in Kung Fu and competing at high levels across California. Justin continues to practice and teach martial arts today and is a certified yoga instructor. Justin also continues to coach and play volleyball, currently coaching for Piedmont Middle School and Piedmont High School. Justin’s certifications include Gold Medal Squared, the Art of Coaching, and Positive Coaching Alliance and Justin is a candidate for a NASM personal trainer certificate later this year. Justin holds a master’s degree in fine art from the San Francisco Art Institute and a master’s degree in public administration of international management from Middlebury University. Justin resides in Piedmont, CA with his wife and three kids.  

13 Blue

Head Coach: Taylor Jordan

 Taylor is a junior at UC Berkeley majoring in psychology and possibly minoring in linguistics. She has been playing volleyball for 6 years and coaching with Golden Bear for two years. She is looking forward to a great season here at Golden Bear Volleyball Club!

Assistant Coach: Athina Sarreas

Athina Sarreas is a Junior at UC Berkeley and this is her first year coaching at Golden Bear. She has coached in Manhattan beach for two years which has given her valuable insights into the game and the ability to work with athletes of various skill levels. Athina's coaching experience spans both indoor and beach volleyball, showcasing her versatility and adaptability in teaching different aspects of the sport. One of Athina's defining qualities as a coach is her unwavering positivity and enthusiasm. She takes great pleasure in sharing her knowledge and positive energy with her athletes, creating an inspiring and motivating environment for learning and growth. Athina's coaching philosophy centers around teaching and mentoring her players, helping them reach their full potential. Her commitment to developing both the skills and character of her athletes is a testament to her dedication to their success on and off the court.

12 Nike

Head Coach: Ashley Beltran Munoz

Coach Ashley Beltran Munoz's journey as a volleyball coach is a testament to her unwavering passion and dedication. From her early days as a standout athlete to becoming a respected mentor, Ashley's love for the sport has been a guiding force throughout her career. Armed with a deep understanding of the game and a talent for connecting with her players, she has led teams to victory, instilling in them the values of teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship. Beyond the wins and accolades, Coach Ashley finds true fulfillment in witnessing her players grow, both on and off the court, and remains committed to shaping the next generation of volleyball enthusiasts through her infectious energy and genuine love for the game.

With years of volleyball experience under her belt, Coach Ashley's impact on the volleyball community continues to grow. Her coaching philosophy centers around nurturing individual talents while fostering a supportive team culture that emphasizes growth and personal development. As a mentor, she instills in her players the belief that success is not just about trophies and titles but about the journey of self-improvement and the joy of playing the sport they love. With an unwavering commitment to her players' success and a genuine desire to leave a lasting legacy in the world of volleyball, Coach Ashley's journey remains an inspiring tale of perseverance, leadership, and the transformative power of sports.
 

Assistant Coach: TBD

12 Blue

Head Coach: Ryan Cho

Ryan is currently a sophomore at UC Berkeley and has loved volleyball since he was 12. He played Middle and Opposite during his high school and club season, and has received coaching for setting and all aspects of volleyball that he looks forward to passing onto the next generation. He is passionate to teach athletes to not only dedicate themselves to improving every day, but enjoy every aspect of this sport he loves. He aims to have athlete's experiences on the court teach them how to succeed in their personal lives and future passions, as it has for him. He is currently studying Bio-Engineering with a great interest in the human body and biomechanics. He avidly plays intramural leagues and open gyms in Berkeley, aiming to also constantly improve himself and have as much fun playing this great game.

11 Nike

Head Coach: Loegan Sumi

Loegan is a new coach at Golden Bear Volleyball Club. Loegan is from San Jose, CA, and is currently a sophomore at UC Berkeley majoring in Civil Engineering and minoring in Sustainable Design and Data Science. Loegan has a long, loved experience with volleyball. She started off playing grass volleyball in 5th grade and began club volleyball in 6th grade. She has played volleyball for a total of 10 years and 12 seasons combined of club and school volleyball. The positions she has played are libero, DS, outside, opposite, and setter, with her favorite being outside. Loegan is passionate about the game and the community it has created for her. As much as she loves to play, she also loves to help teach the game to others. From bringing friends to the court, dragging her brother to play, or spending summers teaching volleyball to students at her high school. She wishes to foster others' love for the sport and grow alongside her players.

Premier Coaches

18 Gold

Co-Head Coaches: Sarah McClendon & Justin Caraway

We have created the perfect power coaching duo. Watch out NCVA!

16 Gold

Head Coach: TBD

14 Gold

Co-Head Coach: Tyler Huang

Tyler's journey with volleyball started when he was 12. With random growth spurts in his adolescence, he has played all 6 positions on the court throughout his high school career.  He has received special coaching and guidance in all positions and plans to relay all the tips and tricks to his players. Being a team captain since 7th grade, he offers leadership and guidance to all players. He also led his club team at the 2021 SoCal Cup Winterformal Tournament, taking first place! He currently plays intramural volleyball at Berkeley and has intentions to play until his knees give out.
His goal is to give players a chance to enjoy and appreciate the beautiful game of volleyball. Winning will be the bonus prize that will come from learning team values and lifelong ethics. Volleyball provides the perfect opportunity for players to learn life lessons, but most importantly to have fun! GO BEARS!!! RAHHH

Co-Head Coach: Emily Xiao

Emily is currently a senior at UC Berkeley pursuing Economics and Data Science. Having been a passionate volleyball player for over 8 years, Emily has honed their skills in every facet of the game. Her volleyball journey began as an outside hitter and transitioned into the role of a libero, mastering defense and passing, and eventually encompassing all aspects of volleyball. Emily is not only a knowledgeable and accomplished coach but also a mentor who is committed to nurturing the talents of our players. Emily's academic acumen and athletic excellence set her apart as a coach who can analyze the game strategically and develop our players both on and off the court. Her goal is to ensure that the athletes' time on the court becomes a source of lifelong lessons, offering them the skills and insights they need to succeed in their personal lives and pursue their future passions, much like the impact it has had on her own journey.

13 Gold

Head Coach: Justin Hoover

Justin Hoover is a Bay Area born and raised volleyball player and coach. In high school he played for Head Royce, winning CIF Northern California Section finals one year and went with his team to NCS finals a second year. He also played four years of club / JO's volleyball. After high school, Justin attended college at Colgate University where he played D-I varsity ice hockey but left the team after a year to play volleyball. He played all the remaining years at Colgate with the club team competing against D-3 schools across NY State. Justin also played in France with the University of Dijon during his study abroad. Justin began his coaching career in 1998 at Head Royce, as the JV girl’s coach, received his first coaching certification from Gold Medal Squared in 2001 coached the Colgate D-1 women’s club volleyball team from 2001-2003. From 2003-2009 Justin coached high school and club volleyball in the Bay Area with M-Power, Xceleration, Golden Bear, and St. Mary’s College High School until 2009. After that, Justin took a break from volleyball and turned to martial arts, gaining a black belt in Kung Fu and competing at high levels across California. Justin continues to practice and teach martial arts today and is a certified yoga instructor. Justin also continues to coach and play volleyball, currently coaching for Piedmont Middle School and Piedmont High School. Justin’s certifications include Gold Medal Squared, the Art of Coaching, and Positive Coaching Alliance and Justin is a candidate for a NASM personal trainer certificate later this year. Justin holds a master’s degree in fine art from the San Francisco Art Institute and a master’s degree in public administration of international management from Middlebury University. Justin resides in Piedmont, CA with his wife and three kids.  

Cubs

Head Coach: Brenda Bertram

More Information Coming Soon!


Sarah McClendon

Club Director

Sarah has been involved with volleyball at a high level since she was 12. She is from Santa Cruz and beach volleyball was a way of life. She continued her passion for the sport playing in college at Santa Barbara City College and practicing with the UCSB team her senior year. She has coached with SB Volleyball Club, Gold Cal in Sacramento and Golden Bear for the past 15 years. Sarah has also coached high school varsity volleyball at Albany High and Piedmont High.

Sarah owns and runs ProAction Athletics giving our volleyball club a huge advantage with access to our private training studio. 

Her sole goal is to lead Golden Bear as a professional club and support the values of hard work, teamwork, and accountability for all of our players. She also keeps in mind that volleyball is a game and should be fun as well!


Justin Caraway

Volleyball Training Director

Justin Caraway has been a Golden Bear coach since 1998. From 1998-2004, every team he coached qualified for JOs, the highlight being a 5th place Club division finish in 2003 with 16 Blue, an extraordinary finish for a "second" team. From 1998-2003, Justin was the head girls and boys coach at Berkeley High School, leading the girls team to three undefeated ACCAL titles (2000-2002) and the NCS DI championship in 2001. He was also the head coach at St. Mary's HS, Piedmont HS, Cache Valley Juniors, and the Baylor University Men's club team.