Coaching Staff Bios

Listed below are brief bios for our coaching staff, in alphabetical order.
Additional coach bios will be added as they become available.

Samantha Lambert
Director of Operations
Rhodes College: Head Coach
Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: nine

Samantha is the Head Coach for the Rhodes College women’s volleyball program, a D-III school here in Memphis, and is also the assistant coach for the women’s basketball team. She has played the sport since she was 11 years old, starring in high school and was a dual-sport athlete at Earlham College in volleyball and basketball. Sam has nine years of coaching experience, including nine at the collegiate level and nine seasons with Memphis Juniors, including her 13s, 14s, and 18s teams over the past couple of seasons. Sam has both IMPACT and CAP certifications and sits on the Board of the Delta Region, as well as the Board of Memphis Juniors as Director of Training. She graduated from Earlham with a Bachelor of Arts and later received a Master’s degree from Canisius College.

Angela Floyd
Director of Training
Hometown: Modesto, CA
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: eight

Angela was originally brought to Memphis from her Northern California home to play collegiate volleyball for the University of Memphis Tigers. She has many years of playing experience, including club, high school, and junior college in California before coming to the Tigers, and brings her experiences with highly competitive California club volleyball to our program. Angela earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise and Sport Science from the U of M. Her coaching experience includes six years with Memphis Juniors and she also served as Assistant Coach for the University of Memphis during the 2002, 2003 and 2004 seasons. She has coached the 14s, 15s, 17s, and 18s Elite Teams for our program. In 2002, her 15 Power team won the Region bid for the Junior Olympic National Championships and traveled to Salt Lake City. In 2005, she went back to the Junior Olympic National Championships in Salt Lake City with her 18 Elite team. Last year Angela's newly formed National Team also received a bid to National's and three of those players went on to play in college.

Bryan Allred
Hometown: Sandy, UT
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: rookie

Bryan grew up in Sandy, UT, where he played high school and club volleyball. Upon graduation, he attended Salt Lake Community College where he played volleyball and started for the Division III National Champions (2001). He transferred to the University of Utah and, in his senior season, led the team to a Division I 9th place national finish and Mountain West Volleyball Conference Championship. He is a 2-time All-Conference 1st Team Selection (MWVC; 2005, 2006), and a 2nd Team All-American (2006). He has coached at the club, junior high, and high school levels. Most recently, he was the head coach for the Men's Volleyball Club at the University of Utah that finished 3rd nationally in Division IA.

Reiko Allred
Hometown: West Jordan, UT
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: rookie

Reiko is originally from West Jordan, UT, where she played high school and club volleyball before moving on to play for Salt Lake Community College and later transferred to play for Montana State University Billings. Upon returning to Utah she began coaching club, junior high, and high school volleyball. Reiko coached for Utah Juniors, High Country, and Summit Volleyball Clubs before moving to Memphis. She has coached at the 12's, 13's, 16's, 17's and 18's level.

DeAra Burks
Crichton College: Assistant Coach
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: rookie

DeAra Burks is a native of Memphis, TN, graduated from George Washington Carver High School. She began playing volleyball at the age of 14 for the GWC Lady Cobras and has been playing since. She also played basketball, softball and ran track for the Lady Cobras. After graduating from GWC, DeAra played for the Lady Magicians of LeMoyne-Owen College and also played softball. After playing for the Lady Magicians, she is now the student assistant coach at Crichton College. Her philosophy in Life is "You've had the experience but don't forget the lesson."

Amy Buszkiewic
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: rookie

Amy played for the University of Wyoming from 2001-2004. She holds the career assist record at Wyoming with 4832. She was MWC conference all-academic 01-04 and was named ESPN the magazine academic All-American in 2004. She grew up in Brentwood, TN and was part of three high school volleyball state championships. She also played with Impact volleyball club. Some of her favorites: warm chocolate chip cookies, blankets, watching football, running, shopping, college athletics, and pedicures.

Joe Buszkiewic
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: rookie

Joe has played volleyball for the past five years in community and competitive leagues and in various indoor and outdoor adult tournaments. He graduated from the University of Wyoming with a degree in Computer Science in 2005 and currently works as a software developer. His newest love is disc golf. He played basketball and ran track in high school and has coached high school JV basketball.

Scott Caulk
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: three

Scott played college volleyball at Indiana Purdue at Fort Wayne. He has played USAV men's volleyball since 1996. He plays in AVP Next Tournaments currently. Scott has been involved with personal training of players at all levels. And continues to train and play personally.

Jenna Cherry
Christian Brothers: Opposite, Outside
Hometown: Covington, LA
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: two

Jenna graduated from Covington High School in Covington, Louisiana where she played volleyball for 4 years under Christine Beauvais. She played club volleyball with VIA-LA under Jimmy Miranda and Danny Tullis. Jenna played 4 years for In-Sik Hwang at Christian Brothers University as a Middle Blocker, Outside Hitter, and Rightside Hitter. She will graduate in May 2009 with a degree in Business Marketing. This is her 3rd year with Memphis Juniors.

Laura Cote
University of Memphis: Senior Setter
Hometown: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: rookie

Laura has 13 years of competitive volleyball experience. While in high school her team won 4 City Championships and 3 provincial titles. She was named the 2005 Saskatoon High School Volleyball MVP. She played 2 years as the starting libero on a Canadian national team at age 15. She played a year as setter on a provincial team and a year as the Canada games team setter. She has 4 years play as the setter for University of Memphis recognized as an All American in 2006. At Memphis she holds the Alltime assists record and is second on Conference USA's Alltime assist leader list. She has played volleyball in Canada, USA, and Japan and coached U15 volleyball for 3 years.

Martha Cowley
Rhodes College: Freshman DS/OH
Hometown: Austin, TX
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: rookie

Martha is a Freshman Outside Hitter and Defensive Specialist with the Rhodes College team. Her hometown is Austin where she began playing school and club ball when she was twelve.

Amanda Curry
Hometown: Huntsville, AL
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: rookie

Patricia Francis
Crichton College: Head Coach
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: one

Patricia was born and spent her childhood years in Jamaica. She came to the US when she was 12 and and attended Thomas Snell Weaver High School in Hartford, Connecticut. Patricia was a basketball and volleyball player at Mississippi Valley State University. Patirica joined Crichton as the head volleyball coach in 2007 after serving as assistant coach a MVSU from 2003-2005.

Kelsey Green
Christian Brothers University: Freshman DS/Setter
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: rookie

Kelsey attended high school at St. Agnes Academy in Memphis, Tennessee where she played volleyball on the varsity team for all four years. During those four years she made the Commercial Appeal’s Best of Preps freshmen, sophomore, junior, and senior year. Along with her senior year she made it to the Best of Preps finalists. She has played Junior Olympic Volleyball since the seventh grade and her senior year she played for the Memphis Junior National team where they qualified to the nationals located in Dallas, Texas. She is now a freshmen defensive specialist/setter for the CBU Bucs.

LaVonne Hill
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: two

This is LaVonne's third year with Memphis Juniors and her seventh year to coach club volleyball. She has coached the University of Memphis Men's Club Volleyball team, a Houston Middle School Volleyball team, the Hutchison Freshmen Volleyball team, as well as a Memphis Futball Club Soccer team. LaVonne played collegiate soccer at the University of Memphis. LaVonne is a PAVO certified collegiate Referee, Scorekeeper, and Linesman.

In-Sik Hwang
Christian Brothers University: Head Coach
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: three

In-Sik Hwang is in his his seventh season at Christian Brothers.Hwang arrived at CBU in 2002 with more than 10 years coaching experience on the collegiate, club and high school levels. In 2001, he was the head coach at LaVergne High School and guided the team to a district and regional championship in his third season. He also earned District 9 Coach of the Year Awards in 2000 and 2001. He graduated with a B.S. in Physical Education in 1998 from Middle Tennessee State University. He served as an assistant volleyball coach (1993-1996) and as an instructor at MTSU (1995-1996). Hwang coached at Franklin High School in 1998 and was named the District 11-L Coach of the Year. Hwang is a member of USA Volleyball and the American Volleyball Coaches Association and is licensed by the USA Coaching Accreditation Program, certified both Level I and II. He has also been Leader level certified in the American Coaching Effectiveness Program.

Katie Leggett
Hometown: Keokuk, Ia
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: rookie

Prior to settling in Memphis, Katie has been involved in volleyball throughout much of the Midwest including Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, and Missouri. Her achievements began in High School as she was named MVP for two consecutive years at the University of Central Missouri Developmental Camp, was listed as honorable mention to the Iowa All State team during her Junior Year, was team captain and MVP junior year and was recruited prior to a serious leg injury that caused her to end her playing career. Katie has stayed extremely involved in Volleyball through coaching. She was the 8th grade coach of St. Francis Catholic School in Cincinnati OH for two years. She led them through two undefeated seasons. Do to the relocation of her husband, Katie then became the head Junior Varsity Coach and Assistant Varsity Coach at Seton Catholic High School in Richmond, IN. In her three years there, Katie was instrumental in developing a winning attitude in a program that was working to get off of the ground. Now Katie looks to bring the same kind of excitement, experience, and joy for the game of Volleyball to the Memphis Juniors

Ashley Liford
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: two

Ashley graduated from the UM in 2008 and was a four year starter as an outside hitter on the UM squad (2004-2007). She attended James Madison High School in San Antonio where she was a three year letter winner on their varsity team. She also received many athletic and academic honors in junior and senior years including district and state awards. She played club ball with Alamo Kaepa Volleyball. While at UM in 2006 and 2007, she was chosen as a member of the C-USA All Academic team and an Academic All-America Nominee. Also, during the 2007 season, she was the UM captain and a member of the C-USA All Conference team. She is currently 3rd on the Tigers All-Time kills list and 2nd on the Tigers All-Time attempts list. Also coached the Memphis Juniors 15 Elite team this past season.

Jenni Miller
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: three

Jennifer (Keene) Miller, grew up in Northern California got her volleyball experience playing club volleyball for Delta Valley Volleyball Club (Stockton, Ca yrs) and Club Stockton (1 yr). As a Junior volleyball player she excelled as an outside hitter, was picked First team All-American after coming in 2nd at Jr. Olympics in 1992. Keene was then picked to be part of the Amateur Sports Development USA, and traveled to Australia to compete in international play. High school Volleyball player of the year San Jouquin Valley District 1992, 1993, 1994. Recruited heavily by, Long Beach State, University of Hawaii, University of Pacific, University of Colorado, and University of Florida. Decided to play at UF under the coaching of Mary Wise one of the most respected coaches in her field. At UF was honored as an All SEC First team player, All American and named to many All Tournament teams. Won the SEC Championship all 4 of her playing years (red-shirted 2nd year, shoulder injury) and made three Final Four appearances in her career at the University of Florida. Now living in Memphis with her husband and two young sons, she has made her way back into volleyball as the freshman coach for Houston High in 2005, and as an assistant in 2006. Also coached the Memphis Juniors 16 Elite in 2007.

Janet Middlekauff
Hometown: Austin, TX
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: one

Janet is starting her second year of coaching with Memphis Juniors. Prior to moving to Memphis, Janet was the junior varsity and varsity volleyball coach at Brentwood Christian School in Austin, TX, for 7 years. She also led numerous volleyball camps and clinics. Janet was a member of the track and field team at the University of Texas where she competed in the high jump. She is IMPACT certified and works as a Senior Research Assistant at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

Alex Nobel
Rhodes College: Junior Setter
Hometown:Tarpon Springs, FL
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: one

Alex is a Sophomore Setter with the Lynx volleyball team. She comes to Rhodes from Tarpon Springs Florida where she played high school ball at East Lake High School. She played club ball in Florida with the Tampa Bay Juniors Club.

Kelly Nolan
Christian Brothers University: Freshman OH
Hometown:St Louis, MO
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: rookie

Kelly Nolan is originally from St. Louis, Missouri and attended Rosati-Kain High School. She played on varisty all 4 years and was named to the All Conference First team for 3 years, All District Team for 2 years and All Region Honorable Mention Team for one year. She played for St. Louis CYC Volleyball club as an outside hitter and defensive specialist. In consecutive years her club team earned a 2nd and 3rd place finish in the Open Division of the JOVC National Championships. She is a freshman outside hitter for the CBU Bucks.

Sandy Obreza
Hometown: Ft. Meyers, FL
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: two

Sandy played high school at Canterbury in Ft. Meyers and also played club ball there for 7 years. Her high school team won back to back State championships in 2000 and 2001 with Sandy as team captain. Sandy was named to All State First team also in 2000 and '01. Sandy played college ball in Memphis at Rhodes college where she was on the SCAC Honor Roll and a member of the Chi Alpha Sigma collegiate athletic honor society. Sandy was a summer camp coach at The University of Florida and at Oak Hall School in Gainesville.

Hannah Orendorff
Rhodes College: Junior Right-Side Hitter
Hometown: Renton, WA
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: one

Hannah played high school ball at Liberty High School in Renton where she also ran track. Hannah is a sophomore right-side hitter with the Lady Bucs. Last year as a Freshman she started 117 games.

Lisa Rembe
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: two

Phyllis Richey
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: Sixteen

Phyllis Richey has the longest tenure of anyone involved with Memphis Juniors. A native Memphian, she began playing volleyball with Memphis Juniors under club founder Diane Hale and went on to play collegiate volleyball at the University of Memphis. As a senior at the U of M, Phyllis was named the female athlete of the year, receiving the Elma Roane award for achievement in athletics, academics and community service. After completing her collegiate career she returned to the club as an assistant coach and helped in its reorganization, and continued to coach 15s/16s through 1996. During that time she also served as President of the club for two years. After completing her Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology from Ole Miss and receiving her faculty appointment as an assistant professor at the University Tennessee (Memphis) Health Science Center, she returned to Memphis Juniors in 2002 coaching 15s, 16s and 18s ever since. Phyllis is IMPACT and CAP I (USA Volleyball Coaching Accreditation) certified.

Ammar Rizvi
Rhodes College: Assistant Coach
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: seven

Ammar joined Memphis Juniors on a part-time basis during the 2002 season, then dove in feet first in Fall League later that year. In 2002 he coached a 13s team with Amy Bomar while he awaited the birth of his daughter. Next in 2003 he coached the 15s Travel team and in 2004 he had a very successful year coaching our 14s Limited Travel Team earning a spot and taking a combined team to the National Invitationals in Austin. Ammar began his playing career with the Lafayette High School men’s team in New York and played for the Polytechnic University’s DIII men’s program. Ammar coached school ball locally at Lausanne and Houston High School and for the last two seasons served as an assistant coach at Rhodes College. He is IMPACT certified and works as a computer programmer at FedEx.

Elizabeth Rose
Memphis Central High School: Head Coach
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: rookie

Emily Sadtler
Hometown: Tampa, FL
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: one

Amanda Swanstrom
Hometown: Houston, TX
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: five

Amanda hails from Houston, Texas and is in her third year with Memphis Juniors. While a young player, Swanstrom is very experienced, with over 6 years of club ball in the competitive Texas JO environment, In addition, she has coached camps within her Texas JO program for two years. She brings a fresh perspective as well as a technically proficient game to the court. Amanda was a college player locally at Rhodes College and is IMPACT certified.

Lauren Thompson
University of Memphis: Junior OH
Hometown: Germantown, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: rookie

Lauren Trouy
University of Memphis: Junior DS
Hometown: Millington, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: rookie

Amy Weatherington
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: five

Amy Bomar Weatherington was born and raised in Memphis. She played for Memphis Juniors all four years of high school and returned to coach here a few years later. She has been coaching volleyball for 10 years in the Memphis area. This is her sixth year with Memphis Juniors. She has coached many age groups from 13’s to 18’s. This year she will be coaching the 18 Eilte team. She graduated from the University of Memphis in 2005 and currently works in the credit department for a local heating and air-conditioning wholesale company. Amy is IMPACT Certified, and just recently got married!

Matt Woodward
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: three

Matt was an assistant coach for Gary Lee at Christian Brothers here in Memphis for two years and during that time he also coached at Memphis Juniors. Matt has also coached public school for a year and coached at Memphis Extreme last year. He is also a local adult league player. Matt is currently employed by MCR Safety.