Coaches & Staff
Nathan Blankenship
Wilsonville High School – Varsity Head Coach (3 Years)
2019 NW Oregon Conference Coach Of The Year.
2019 NW Oregon Conference Champion (Undefeated in League).
2018 NW Oregon Conference Coach Of The Year.
2018 NW Oregon Conference Champion (Undefeated in League).
2014-2016 Coach Training – University of Washington -11 years Coaching high school 6A/5A & Club 12U, 14U, 16U, 18U.
16 Years playing, collegiate and international Volleyball, Europe, Australia and National level New Zealand. Open and Masters Beach
Scott Sanders
Kennedy High School – Varsity Coach (3 Years) - 2019 State Champions
2019 Tri-River Conference Champion (Undefeated in League) (#1) at Districts and (#1) at State.
2018 Tri-River Conference Champion (Undefeated in League) 1st at Districts and 5th at State.
2017 Tri-River Conference tied for 2nd, 1st at Districts and 3rd at State Previously assisted Varsity for 2 years at Gervais High School and assisted with clinics at Canby High School for both Varsity and JV.
Coaching Experience: 6+ years Volleyball and 20+ years coaching Football, Basketball and Baseball.
30+ Years playing experience in both Indoor and Beach.
Nerisa Laban
Reynolds High School - Varsity Head Coach
11 years of coaching, organize and set up volleyball program at Laurelhurst Presbyterian church (Polley volley 2009- current), Firstenburg community center (2009-2010). Host volleyball clinics at Club Meadow, Firstenburg community center, IRCO, Warner Pacific college, Reynolds (2009-current)
Former club Agape head coach 12U Gold, 14U Gold, 16U National, 18U Gold
Over 10 years playing adult women, adult-coed.
Been involved with club since 2011 (Daughter played for Rose City, Athena, and Agape). Daughter played for Central Catholic, graduated 2017 All conference, all state, all tournament, State Championship; she currently plays for Warner Pacific college. Both sons ages 13 & 15 play volleyball.
Sara Wilcox
Oregon City High School - Asst Varsity & Junior Varsity Head Coach (3 Years)
9 Years Rec, Club. As her daughters advanced in skill, so did Coach Wilcox's passion for coaching. She has invested and continues to invest, countless hours to expand her knowledge and skill as a coach.
3 Years coaching 12's and 14's for NW Elite. She has also coached at OCHS for the past three years and is currently the head JV coach.
Julene Koenig
Canby High School - Junior Varsity Head Coach (3 Years)
Canby High School - Assistant Varsity
3 Years NW Elite 16U Indoor
2 Years NW Elite Beach - Sand Coach and Tournament Director
9 Years competitive Volleyball - High School, Beach, Adult Indoor
Emily McAlindin
2 years coaching 16U at NW Elite Volleyball Club
1 year coaching at Oregon City High School
4 years playing collegiate intramural & club at University of Oregon
6 years playing club in Southern California- 2012 AAU champions
MATALASI LABAN
Collegiate Volleyball Athlete (Current) Warner Pacific University
3 Years - Central Catholic Varsity - 6A State Champion 2016.
All State, All tournament, All conference 1st team, Team Captain
7 years club volleyball Athlete. CEVA Regionals 16U Champion,
#5 at Nationals (American) 2014-2015
3 Years Coaching- 2016 Assistant coach 12u , 14u , 16U National Team
Chris Lewis
2 Years Collegiate Athlete – Clackamas Community College
4 Years - Asst College Coach - Clackamas Community College
8 years – Junior High School - Head Coach
2 Years - Oregon City High School – Junior Varsity Head Coach
4 years NW Elite Volleyball Club – Head Coach 14U Black
Varsity Oregon City High School Athlete
JAHLETT TOFI
Collegiate Volleyball Athlete - Sth Puget Sound CC, Clackamas Community College (Current)
NW Elite Volleyball – Head Coach 16s (1st Year)
6 Years playing – High School Varsity (Beaverton High School); Club Volleyball, national teams Adult League (indoor, coed); Beach Volleyball;
3 Years – Dual-Sport Student Athlete (Volleyball, Track & Field)
2018 – Offensive Player of the Year, Beaverton High School
2019 – Offensive Player of the Year, South Puget Sound CC
Natalie Sale
Current College Volleyball Athlete
2012 GMS Training Session
Club Volleyball Head Coach (1 Year)
Ashley Waggoner
D1 College Athlete (University of North Texas)
4 Years Head Coach - 14s 16s Club Volleyball (Austin Region)
2 Years High School Coaching (Austin Texas)
AUDREE GORMANSON
College Volleyball Athlete (Current)
Club Volleyball Head Coach (1 Year)
Jen Tate
4 Years Club Coaching
2 years - 12 Head Coach 2018/2019
2 years - NWE 12 Assistant coach 2017-2018
6 Years Rainier Middle School (Head Coach and Assistant Coach )
2x Oregon State Champion 1992, 1993
6 Years - Club Volleyball
Nikki Bippes
Wilsonville High School - Junior Varsity Head Coach/Assist Varsity (2 Years)
LaSalle Prepatory College - Junior Varsity Head Coach/Assist Varsity (2 Years)
5 Years Club Coaching 12U, 14U, 16U
11 Year - High School , College Intramurals, Adult league
Lisa Piper
5 Years Club / Rec Coaching
NW Elite 12U Black Coach 2018-19
3 Years Collegiate Player: 1997-2000
Varsity High School (Oregon City Varsity Alumni)
Dena Ayodeji
6 Years Coaching, 2 Years High School Junior varsity.
Collegiate Volleyball. 2001-2002
Four year High School, Varsity starter. Continued play , Coaching open gyms. Head Coaches assistant. Married with 4 year old son (future volleyball player?)
Collegiate Volleyball. 2001-2002
Four year High School, Varsity starter. Continued play , Coaching open gyms. Head Coaches assistant. Married with 4 year old son (future volleyball player?)
Sirena Welton
6 Years - Volleyball Head Coach
2 Years NW Elite 12U Head Coach
Dedicated to the growth and experience of these young athletes
Mike Jensen
Oregon High School - Junior Varsity Volleyball Assistant Coach
2 Years Club coaching - NW Elite 14 Gold (Asst Coach),
20 Years Competitive Volleyball
3 Years Collegiate Volleyball (Oregon State University)
OSU Graduate 971 (Engineering). Married 51 Year (Barb)
Avid bicyclist, skier and golfer.
I’m a proud Vietnam veteran of the US Navy (Submarine Service).
Steve Young
2 Years Colligate Play - San Francisco State University
27 years Competitive Volleyball (Athlete) – A and AA
6 Years Club – Head Coach (14U, 18U) NW Elite 18U
2 Year High School Varsity - Head Coach
2 Years Middle School - Head Coach
Dee Dee Kelley
2 years - Colton High School - Asst Varsity
8 Years - Head Volleyball Coach - Youth Sports (Colton Area)
22 Years Collegiate and High School Referee (Volleyball - Greater Portland Volleyball Officials Association)
4 Years - NW Elite Volleyball – Head Coach 14s and 16s
Nerisa Laban - Operations Director
Please contact Nerisa at NWElite.Nerisa@gmail.com for questions and operational support.
Chris Davies - Uniforms and Equipment
Please contact Chris at NWElite.Gear@gmail.com for questions about uniforms / jersey numbers
Val Henry - Social Media Specialist
Please contact NWElite.Val@gmail.com for questions, comments and information on external (Social) Media
NW Elite VBC 2018-2019 Season Coaches and Staff (Proposed)
| Coach | Assignment | |
|---|---|---|
| OREGON CITY | ||
| Lisa Piper | 12U Black Head Coach | NWElite.Lisa@gmail.com |
| Sirena Welton | 12U Red Head Coach | NWElite.Sirena@gmail.com |
| Jen Tate | 12U Gray Head Coach | NWElite.Jen@gmail.com |
| Chris Lewis | 14U Black Head Coach | NWElite.Chris@gmail.com |
| Dena Ayodeji | 14U Red Head Coach | NWElite.Dena@gmail.com |
| Matalasi Laban | 14U Gray Head Coach | NWElite.Matalasi@gmail.com |
| Kathleen McCord | 15U Gold Head Coach | NWElite.Kathleen@gmail.com |
| Emily McAlinden | 16U Black Head Coach | NWElite.EmilyM@gmail.com |
| Jahlett Tofi | 16U Red Head Coach | NWElite.Jahlett@gmail.com |
| Natalie Sale | 16U Gray Head Coach | NWElite.Natalie@gmail.com |
| WILSONVILLE | ||
| Dee Dee Kelley | 16U Blue Head Coach | NWElite.DeeDee@gmail.com |
| Audree Gormanson / Ashley Waggoner | 16U Navy Head Coach | NWElite.Audree@gmail.com |
| TRAVEL TEAMS | ||
| Nathan Blankenship | 18U Gold Head Coach | NWElite.Nathan@gmail.com |
| Scott Sanders | 18U Silver Head Coach | NWElite.ScottS@gmail.com |
| Julene Koenig | 16U Gold Head Coach | NWElite.Julene@gmail.com |
| Nerisa Laban | 16U Silver Head Coach | NWElite.Nerisa@gmail.com |
| Sara Wilcox | 14U Gold Head Coach | NWElite.Sara@gmail.com |