Our dedicated coaching staff are here to help each athlete achieve their goals! Each coach is trained to teach each position and our diverse staff all bring their own specialties and experience to provide each athlete with unique training.
The Edge Volleyball Club Coaching Staff
Coach Lisa joined The Edge Volleyball Club family in 2010 where she coached for nine years before taking on the role of the Owner and Director of the club. Prior to that she coached for four years at Winona Area Volleyball Club. All throughout college Coach Lisa also coached summer camps at Sports Performance Volleyball Club. She played for Wheaton-St. Francis High School and was a part of two state championship teams. She attended Winona State University and started all 4 years as a setter and earned NSIC All-Conference first team honors. She was a 4-time Offensive Player of the Year for WSU. She ended her career as WSU's all-time assist leader tallying 5,031 assists and was inducted into the WSU Hall of Fame in the fall of 2019. Coach Lisa spent 2 seasons as the Assistant Coach for Dominican University in River Forest, IL where they made 2 NCAA tournament appearances. She also spent a spring assisting with DePaul University's (Chicago) volleyball program as the setter's coach. In 2021, Coach Lisa started coaching at Willowbrook High School (Villa Park) as the JV head coach and Varsity assistant coach. Willowbrook's 2021 varsity team was 37-2 and lost in the 4A super sectional to the state runners-up, Mother McAuley. Coach Lisa's passion for the game can be seen as she is always ready to hop on the court to help any athlete during practice or a game.
Coach Caitlin has been coaching with The Edge Volleyball family since 2013. She was the varsity coach for Willows Academy from 2012 to 2016 where she coached the team to their first regional volleyball championship in school history. As an athlete coach Caitlin was a starting middle blocker at Northern Michigan University and later transferred to Elmhurst University where she finished her college career receiving All-American honors. She is also the lead of The Edge Volleyball Club's College Recruiting efforts as well as being an ACE Certified personal trainer specializing in sports agility. Coach Caitlin leads our Short Season program and while introducing young athletes to the sport her passion can and excitement can be seen at every practice.
Coach Dani started her coaching career in 2014. Growing up she loved watching the “older” kids play volleyball. She started playing volleyball in 5th grade and that’s were she fell in love with the sport. Throughout middle school & high school she played as a libero and unfortunately due to an injury she did not continue play in college. After her injury her coaching career started. She went back to her alma mater and started coaching. She coached the JV team and assisted varsity. During her time there they won a few regional, sectional and super sectional titles. Coach Dani joined The Edge Family in 2017 where she took her first 15U club team. The next year she moved to the middle school program and fell in love with being able inspire the younger generations. She loves fostering the passion of younger athletes and watching them fall in love with the sport just as she did. She pours her time, sweat and energy into the next generation of volleyball players. She brings a new light to every season and faces new challenges head on as she works to coach each athlete individually in the manner to encourage the most growth. In 2023 Coach Dani took over the role of Middle School Club Director and continues to use her passion to inspire the next generation of strong, young, athletes.
Coach Sean could be found court side since he was two weeks old with his love for volleyball coming from his parents who both played. He has been coaching since 2017 and started coaching as an Offensive Assistant at Schaumburg Christian School before joining The Edge Volleyball family later that year. In his first year with The Edge he started as a High School and Middle School Assistant before taking on the Head Coach role in 2018. He has been playing volleyball in 2004 and has played every position for a team during that time. He can still be found playing in leagues and tournaments when he is not coaching. Since 2020 he has also taken on the role as Technology Director and is responsible for all the software and hardware we use to help support our coaches. Coach Sean is a big advocate of hard work leading to success and pushes his athletes to always outwork their competition.
Coach Derrick has been coaching since 2017. He has coached previous at Nebraska Elite, and Northern Impact in Minnesota. After which he moved to Chicago and found his home coaching with The Edge in 2019. Coach Derrick starting playing volleyball competitively his freshman year of college for the University of Nebraska - Omaha. While there he was the starting outside for three years and the starting right side for one year. Coach Derrick focuses on making sure that every athlete comes out of every club season not only the best volleyball player they can be, but the best person they can be.
This is Liz’s third year with the Edge family, she joined us in fall of 2020 as Admin and operations coordinator for the club. She has been the go-to person for online orders, administrative inquiries, and more. She can often be found stationed at the front check-in desk. With nearly a decade of experience working in office management, Liz brings a wealth of organizational skills to the table. She attended Trinity High school in River Forest and went on to graduate from Bradley University in 2014.
Coach Josh joined the Edge Volleyball Club Family in 2013. He has been officially coaching since 2009, as a high school JV coach in Boston, MA and then at a local club, Chicago Bounce. He attended Newbury College in Brookline, MA. He played for 3 years, 2 years as a starter, at all hitting positions. After college, he started traveling and playing competitively on hard court and the beach. He has been the head coach for teams from middle school to seniors in high school, boys and girls and is well versed in the most aspects of the game. He brings high energy and passion when coaching, pacing and cheering during tournaments, as well as constantly drilling fundamentals and mechanics during practices.
Coach Tim is new to The Edge Volleyball family as a head coach as of 2021 but is not a new face to The Edge. He was an Assistant Coach for The Edge since 2019, assisting with the High School Athletes. Tim has played volleyball since 2009 and was a setter for the Men’s Club Volleyball team at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is originally from Bloomington, Illinois and assistant coached for the 6th and 8th grade teams at Corpus Christi School. Tim is a major Big 10 Volleyball fan and religiously cheers for his Nebraska Huskers. Tim swears by a balanced focus of fundamentals, serving, and passing while carrying the energy of teamwork to lead to group success.
Coach Olivia is new to The Edge Volleyball Club family as of 2021. She has played for several clubs herself growing up including Circus and Team Illinois. She has played for several years as a Setter including her time spent playing for Rolling Meadows High School and for the University of Iowa club team. Coach Olivia strongly believes that club volleyball is a time for young athletes to be able to grow into leaders through the sport. She lets the sport she loves build the next generation of leaders in a fun and safe environment.
Coach Nick has been coaching since 2011. He started coaching as an Assistant Coach at his alma mater Marist High School before joining The Edge family in 2013. He was a Libero at St Ambrose University for four years and can still be found playing around the area in adult leagues, beach, and indoor tournaments. Coach Nick coaches for our High School program and specializes in training our defense players. Coach Nick emphasizes hustle and giving every ounce of effort an athlete has into every play on the court.
Coach George is new to The Edge Volleyball Club as of 2021. He played for Elk Grove High School and has played every position on the court. With a career in radio Coach George had the opportunity to cover Nebraska and Creighton Volleyball for two and a half years. After which he moved back to the Chicagoland area and found himself with an opportunity to coach with The Edge family. Coach George is driven by the want to coach the next generation of passionate and dedicated young athletes.
Coach Jon starting coaching with The Edge Volleyball Club in 2016 as a driving force in our boy’s program. Since then he has switched to coaching for our girl’s program as well as being a huge part of our Beach and Short Season Programs. Coach Jon has been playing competitively since 2009 as a setter and played at SIUE as a setter and right side hitter. Coach Jon preaches bringing the fun, excitement, and passion into the game as that passion can help athletes overcome all obstacles.
Coach Trista has been coaching since 2009. She has coached previously at The Academy in Indianapolis. After moving to Chicago, Coach Trista found her home coaching with The Edge in 2017. As an athlete, Coach Trista played all of her volleyball in Indiana as a defensive specialist with several high school accolades and a part of a state championship team. She went on to play libero at a JUCO college(Vincennes University) then finished her collegiate career at Indiana Tech. Coach Trista focuses more on strategy of the game and preparing our athletes for the next level of play. She brings awareness to the importance of dedication and discipline as individual athletes while also putting a strong emphasis on team dynamic and unity.
Coach Kristina is new to The Edge Volleyball Club as of 2022. She played for Conant High School and F.O.C.U.S Volleyball Club as a setter for her whole career. While attending the University of Iowa, Kristina coached for Boost Volleyball Club for 4 years. After graduation and moving back home to the Suburbs, she found an opportunity to coach with The Edge family. Coach Kristina is passionate about passing down all the great tips and advice she has learned throughout her years to the next generation and believes building mental strength is one of the most important parts of the game.
Coach Bryan is new to The Edge Volleyball family as a head coach as of 2022 and is a former Edge athlete. Coach Bryan started playing competitively in middle school and has continued to play at various levels since. During his time playing he has played every front row hitting position, gaining knowledge for each position. Bryan greatly believes in making effective use of the ball and controlling where an athlete places the ball when hitting.
Coach Meghan has been a coach at The Edge Volleyball Club since 2023 and has played for The Edge for four years. In high school Meghan played for Saint Viator as a defensive specialist/libero. She attended Southern Illinois University for 2 years where she played libero for the SIU Club Volleyball team. Outside of coaching Meghan has had a love for the sky ever since she was young. She has been flying planes alone since she was 18 and hopes to be a flight instructor soon. Meghan has a drive to help young girls love the sport while becoming the best version of themselves.
Although Coach Alaina is new as a Coach at Edge as of 2023, she started her volleyball career with The Edge Volleyball Club back in 2010 as a player. Through her volleyball career she played Outside, Rightside, and Setter. Alaina played volleyball through college and continues to play after. She has coached for a handful of teams throughout the Chicago area and hopes to continue her coaching journey with the Edge Family.
Coach Katie has been involved in volleyball from a young age, starting club at the age of 12 and playing for The Edge for four years. This marks Katie’s second year as a head coach. During high school, Katie played for Hersey as a defensive specialist/libero. She attended Illinois State University, where she studied Interpersonal Communication and continued playing volleyball for enjoyment, whether it was on the sand or indoors. Outside of coaching, Katie enjoys attending concerts, painting, and appreciating nature. Katie has always harbored a passion for helping athletes become better versions of themselves, both on and off the court.
Coach Liam joined The Edge Family in 2023. He found his passion for volleyball while playing at Maine West High School. During this time he also played for our boys program for three years. After getting All-Area and All-Conference his senior year he wanted to further develop his skills at the collegiate level. After high school he played four years at Marian University as a Middle Blocker. In the time he spent there he was 2x NACC All-Conference where he currently leads in total blocks. Coach Liam hopes to further develop his skill set as a coach and player while being a part of The Edge family.
Coach Tayler joined The Edge Volleyball in 2023. She started her college career off at the Division level at Lamar University in Texas as an outside hitter. She ended up transferring to Harper college. There she got named All Region Player, All American, All National Tournament, All Regional Tournament, Volleyball Magazine All American, AVCA All American, AVCA Player of the Week, NJCAA Player of the Week, most kills at the NJCAA Nationals, as well as breaking Harper College’s record for most kills in a season, and most aces in a season. She was ranked top 10 in all statistic categories for NJCAA. She will likely transferring to a 4 year university this up coming year as a middle hitter and a left side for beach to continue her volleyball career. She likes to bring her passion and hard work to the court and truly lead by example!
Sarah Carlson has been a head middle school coach at Edge since the spring 2024 season, where she also previously assisted with the weightlifting program and short season. Her volleyball journey began in 8th grade, continuing through high school, where she joined Edge as a sophomore and played as a middle blocker throughout her time on the court. Now a sophomore at Northwestern University, studying Economics and Political Science, Sarah continues to play volleyball for fun while passionately pursuing her love for coaching. She is deeply committed to helping young athletes grow and overcome challenges, both on and off the court. Sarah believes that with dedication, hard work, and a supportive team, athletes can achieve their full potential and become confident, resilient individuals, and she is driven to inspire and empower her players every step of the way.
Morgan is excited to join The Edge as a fitness & conditioning trainer as of the 2024 season. Fitness is not just her passion—it's her way of life. She loves working out and helping others achieve their health goals. She believes in a balanced approach to fitness, focusing on both physical and mental well-being. She aims to create a supportive and motivating environment for every athlete. She is ready to work hard, stay committed, and enjoy the journey together!
Coach Madison's 2024-2025 season is her first year coaching with The Edge. As a student-athlete on the Oakton Owls women's basketball team and a student at Oakton Community College, she brings a vibrant energy and dedication to the role. Growing up in the small town of Aviston, southern Illinois, Madison cherishes her close-knit family and has moved to upper Chicago for more opportunities. Since she was six, Madison has played multiple sports, learning the importance of sportsmanship, hard work, and dedication along the way. She can’t wait to bring that passion to the team and inspire the girls to grow together. With all the effort she’s put into preparing for this season, Madison is ready and eager for what lies ahead!
Coach Danny is new to the program as of 2024. Coach Danny started playing volleyball in 2006 during his freshman year of high school. He started his volleyball career as a setter but has since played every position on the court except for middle blocker. After High School Coach Danny had the opportunity to play on Northern Illinois University Men's Club Team where he was a Libero/DS for 4 years. His team was ranked in the top 25 in the nation every year and their best finish at Nationals was T-8 his Junior year. On top of playing for the Men's Club team Coach Danny also was a practice player for the Women's team at NIU. Coach Danny promotes a fun and energetic team environment and takes pride in making his athletes better people on and off the court.
Coach Lydia is a Senior at Prospect High School. Her love for volleyball began in middle school, and she has been actively participating as a middle for Edge since 2021. Lydia’s enthusiasm for the sport drives her commitment, making her an inspiring role model for the athletes she works with. In addition to her playing, Lydia has also coached short season for the past two years. This experience has been incredibly rewarding for her, as it allows her to give back to the sport she loves while fostering a supportive environment for future Edge athletes. Lydia looks forward to facing new challenges and achieving great things together with her team. Coach Lydia can’t wait to see all the progress her athletes will make this season!
The 2024-2025 season is Coach Rian’s first year coaching at Edge! She is originally from California where she played at Tstreet Volleyball Club and attended Ontario Christian High school. She has played competitive volleyball for about ten years, and is continuing her collegiate volleyball career at North Park University here in Chicago. She is a second year student and studying business management. She is incredibly excited to share the years of knowledge and love she has built playing volleyball with you all.
Coach Haley is excited to join The Edge Volleyball Club during the 2024-2025 season! With experience playing for several clubs, including The Edge, at a national level, she brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the team. Throughout her high school career at Lake Zurich High School, she has excelled as a Defensive Specialist/Libero and is currently a senior on the varsity team. Coach Haley’s goal as a coach is to help young athletes not only develop their volleyball skills but also gain a deeper understanding of the game—all while having a blast! She can’t wait to share her love for volleyball and watch her players grow both on and off the court.
Coach Vicki has been with Edge from 2019 to 2023 as a player and has been a coach since 2023 for the short season program. She plays for Saint Viator's Varsity volleyball team. Vicki started off as a middle but now plays as an outside or rightside. Vicki has always loved volleyball since she first started in 4th grade and since her first season in 5th grade at Our Lady of the Wayside. She continues her passion for volleyball through coaching and helping young athletes develop a strong connection with the game.
My name is Grace and this is my first year coaching at The Edge Volleyball Club! I currently play collegiate volleyball at North Park University in Chicago and I'm a middle blocker. I'm originally from Joliet, IL, where I went to highschool at Joliet West. I was a varsity athlete for 3 years, and during my senior year we brought home the first Sectional title in Joliet West Girls Volleyball history. I also received IVCA Academic All-State honors during that time. As for club, I started club volleyball my freshman year of high school at Uno Volleyball Club, until my senior year where I played at Belusa United Volleyball Club. Being a middle blocker did not limit me, as I played all the way around during my club years and was selected as a top performer by Prep Dig a few times. At North Park, we've won our conference back-to-back and made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Mental toughness is an important aspect of the game, which I intend to teach. That competitive edge is so crucial in high pressure situations. I'm excited to help younger athletes really perform at their best, and also teach them that it doesn't always matter how hard you can hit a ball, but how well you can hit those open spots on the court. I want my athletes to succeed, and not just in volleyball.
Coach Cassidy joined the Edge Volleyball Club family in 2024 and is excited for the upcoming season. She played all four years at Fullerton High School in California as a setter and is currently in her second year playing collegiate volleyball as a setter at North Park University. In the 2023 season, her team won the CCIW conference and finished 13th in the AVCA Division III national polls. Coach Cassidy is eager to bring her passion for the game to the Edge Volleyball Club and help develop the next generation of athletes, fostering their growth and potential in a positive and encouraging environment.
Coach Morgan has been a coach at The Edge Volleyball Club since 2023 and has played there since 2018. During high school, she also played as a middle hitter for John Hersey High School. There, she also coached at camp throughout the summer to help prepare the upcoming players for tryouts. Morgan attends Harper College but is planning to transfer to University of Iowa and continue to keep herself involved in volleyball. Morgan has always been passionate about helping athletes be the strongest players they can be, while also being there for them on and off the court.