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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.
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Samantha Lambert
Director of Operations
Rhodes College: Head Coach
Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: Ten
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.
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In-Sik Hwang
Director of Training
Christian Brothers University: Head Coach
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: Four
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.
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Ammar Rizvi
Director of Training
Rhodes College: Assistant Coach
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: Eight
Ammar joins the leadership team as a director of Training for Memphis
Juniors in 2009 and has been involved with the club since 2002 as a
head coach at various age groups, ranging from 12's teams and as high
as 18's team. In 2004 Ammar coached a 14's Limited Travel Team
with assistant Tom Votaw that earned a spot to the National
Invitationals in Austin, TX. Ammar has also been an assistant
coach at Rhodes College for 5 years, during which time helped head coach
Sam Lambert, assistant coach Ken Scarleski and the Lynx post 3 20+ win
seasons and a 2006 Sweet 16 finish in the NCAA Division III Women's
Volleyball tournament. He has also been involved with high school
ball at Houston High School and Lausanne Collegiate School.
Ammar's volleyball involvement began as a player at Lafayette High
School in New York on the boy's varsity volleyball team. His affiliated
playing days concluded at the collegiate level, as a member of the
Polytechnic University's (now NYU-Poly) Division III men's program,
where he was selected team MVP. Ammar is a certified USAV CAP II coach
and an honored recepient of the Robert Lindsay Meritorious Service Award
by the Delta Region. He currently works at FedEx Express as a Business Systems Advisor.
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Angela Floyd
Director of Training - On Sabbatical
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.
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Hayley Benton
Rhodes College: Freshman DS
Hometown: Brentwood, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: Rookie
This is Hayley's first year coaching club ball. She is a Freshman Defensive specialist
with the Rhodes College team. She played high school ball at Christ Presbyterian.
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Jenna Cherry
Christian Brothers: Assistant Coach
Hometown: Covington, LA
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: Three
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
where she was named All-Conference her senior year. She is now an
Assistant Coach at CBU completing her Masters of Arts in Teaching for
middle school. This is her 4th year with Memphis Juniors.
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Laura Cote
Hometown: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan CA
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: Two
Laura is a former player with the University of Memphis graduating in 2008. She played
setter for the Tigers and was a repeat all conference player and and an All American Honorable mention.
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Amanda Curry
Hometown: Huntsville, AL
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: One
Amanda Curry is originally from Huntsville, Al where she played high school
volleyball for Catholic High school and Club Volleyball at RCVC ( Rocket City Volleyball Club).
She then went on to play NAIA college volleyball at Lambuth University in Jackson, TN.
She currently resides in Memphis studying at UT Memphis in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.
She has experience as an assistant coach for RCVC and is looking forward to her
second year as a coach for Memphis Juniors.
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Kari Duncan
Head Coach: St. Marys High School
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: Two
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Kelsea Everett
Rhodes College: Senior MB
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: Rookie
This is Kelsea's first season to coach with Memphis Juniors. She is a Senior
Middle Blocker with the Rhodes College team. She comes to Rhodes from Dallas where played
for Woodrow Wilson High School.
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Patricia Francis
Crichton College: Head Coach
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: Two
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.
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Hailey Gillis
Christian Brothers: Freshman OH,OPP
Hometown: Corpus Christi, TX
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: Rookie
This is Hailey's first year to coach Juniors. Hailey is a Freshman Hitter for the Christian
Brother team. She played her high school ball at Carroll High School in Corpus Christi.
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Kelsey Green
Christian Brothers University: Sophomore DS/Setter
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: One
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 sophomore defensive specialist/setter for the CBU Bucs.
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LaVonne Hill
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: Three
This is LaVonne's forth year with Memphis Juniors and her eighth 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.
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Sandy (Obreza) Hrdlicka
Hometown: Ft. Meyers, FL
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: Three
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.
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April Jauregui
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: Rookie
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Gabe Jauregui
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: Rookie
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Laura Jensen
Rhodes College: Senior Setter
Hometown: Daphne, AL
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: One
Laura returns to coach with us for the second year. She is a senior setter for the Rhodes
College team. She played High School ball at Bayside Academy in Daphne.
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Jordan Kennamar
Rhodes College: Freshman OH
Hometown: Huntsville, AL
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: Rookie
Jordan is coachng with Memphis Juniors for her first time. She is a Freshman Ouside Hitter
with the Rhodes College team. She played high school ball at Grissom High School.
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Shelby Knose
Hometown: Germantown, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: Rookie
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Katie Leggett
Hometown: Keokuk, Ia
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: One
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
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Ashley Liford
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: Three
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.
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Kristen Lytle
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: Rookie
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Nicole McAlvany
Rhodes College: Freshman Setter
Hometown:Roswell, GA
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: Rookie
Nicole is coaching for her first year with Memphis Juniors. She is a Freshman Setter
with the Rhodes College team. She played high school ball with Blessed Trinity in Roswell.
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Lizzie McLean
Christian Brothers: Freshman MH,OPP
Hometown: Munford, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: Rookie
Lizzie is in her first coaching year with Memphis Juniors. She is a Freshman Middle and Right Side
Hitter for the Christian Brothers team.She played high school ball at Munford High School.
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Kelly Nolan
Christian Brothers University: Sophomore 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 sophomore outside hitter for the CBU Bucks.
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Hannah Orendorff
Rhodes College: Junior Right-Side Hitter
Hometown: Renton, WA
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: Two
Hannah played high school ball at Liberty High School in Renton where she also ran
track. Hannah is a junior right-side hitter with the Lady Bucs.
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Colleen Parrish
Rhodes College: Freshman DS
Hometown: Norman, OK
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: Rookie
Colleen is coaching for Memphis Juniors for her first year. She is a Freshman Defensive
Specialist for the Rhodes College team. She played her high school ball at Norman
High School in Norman Oklahoma.
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Leah Purvis
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: Rookie
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Phyllis Richey
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: Seventeen
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.
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Elizabeth Rose
Memphis Central High School: Head Coach
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: One
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Ken Scarleski
Rhodes College: Assistant Coach
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: One
Ken is joining Memphis Juniors as a coach after over six years as an
assistant coach with Rhodes College, during which time helped
head coach Sam Lambert, assistant coach Ammar Rizvi and the Lynx post
4 20+ win seasons and a 2006 Sweet 16 finish in the NCAA Division III
Women's Volleyball tournament. Ken also coached Junior Olympic volleyball
for 3 years with Memphis Xtreme as well as the freshman team at
St. Agnes High School. Ken has been a driving force behind adult volleyball in Memphis for years.
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Casey Slagle
Hometown:Collierville, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: Rookie
Casey graduates for Lambuth University in December 2009, with a Public Relations
major and Spanish Minor. She was the setter for the Lambuth Volleyball team.
She attended Collierville High School in Collierville, TN and has played
volleyball for twelve years. She played club volleyball for Memphis Volleyball
before switching over to play for Memphis Juniors. While at Lambuth, Casey
was First Team All-Conference for the Independent Conference in volleyball.
She was the 161 coach for Jackson Juniors last year.
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Maggie Sommer
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: Four
Maggie is coaching with Memphis Juniors for her fifth year. Maggis has sserved as a full time and
fill in coach in many different areas.
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Lauren South
Christian Brothers University: Freshman, DS
Hometown: Bartlett, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: Rookie
Lauren is coaching her first year with Memphis Juniors where played her senior year. She is a Freshman
DS at Christian Brothers and played her high school ball at Bartlett High School.
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Ally Squires
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: Rookie
Ally is a recent graduate of Rhodes College where she played for the Rhodes team. She was a Middle Blocker
for the Lynx where she was in the top 20 for career total blocks, assists and solo blocks. She was
recognized as an All SCAC team pick. She finished her career at Rhodes in the top five all time
for career games played and kills at Rhodes. She is joining Memphis Junioe for her first year of coaching club.
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Alecia Stewart
Christian Brothers University: Freshman OH,OPP
Hometown: Rochester, MN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: Rookie
Alecia will coach for her first year with Memphis Juniors. She is a Feshman Hitter with the Christian Brothers team
and played her high school ball at Century High School in Rochester.
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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.
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Lauren Thompson
University of Memphis: Junior OH
Hometown: Germantown, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: One
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Lauren Trouy
Hometown: Millington, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: One
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Jasmine Vann
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: Rookie
Jasmine played club ball with Memphis Juniors and a player for Crichton College.
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Tom Votaw
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: Five
Tom is coaching for Memphis Juniors for his sixth year. Tom coached and substitue coached in many areas
with the club over the years. He is invoilved with adult volleyball in Memphis and currently is
is employed by Fedex in Memphis.
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Kimberly Wade
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Prior years with Memphis Juniors: Three
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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.
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