Ali Oliver - Club Director, 18 Smack Head Coach & 14 Black Head Coach

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In addition to her duties as club director, Ali Oliver will be coaching the 18 Smack team and the 14 Black team. As well as running the Smack volleyball club, Ali is in her 3rd season as the head coach of the women’s volleyball team at Whittier College. An accomplished volleyball player and now coach, Oliver played for Cerritos College from 1996-97 and led them to a share of the South Coast Conference title as a sophomore. She was a two-time 1st Team All-South Coast Conference selection, while earning All-Southern California honors as a sophomore and was the state’s top-ranked hitter her freshman season. Oliver then received a full scholarship to Southeastern Louisiana University and finished third among all NCAA Division I players in service aces as a junior. She then transferred to Sonoma State University and was named their Most Valuable Player and Team Captain as a senior.

A graduate of San Gabriel High School, Oliver started her career by being a four-time 1st Team All-Almont League selection, while earning the league’s Most Valuable Player honors two consecutive seasons. Oliver completed her playing career with the European Exposure Tour during the summer of 2003 and winter of 2004 and is currently an AA-rated beach volleyball player.

Oliver’s coaching career started in 1997-98 when she was the head coach of a 14 and under team for the Huntington Beach Volleyball Club and has coached all levels of volleyball since then. She served as the coach at Holy Ghost (LA) Junior High (1998), Redwood High (Marin County) Junior Varsity girls and Varsity boys (2000-02), Marin Juniors Volleyball Club 16’s (2000-01) and 18’s (2001-02), Creekside Middle School (2001-02), Napa Valley College assistant coach (2002-03), Napa Sonoma Volleyball Club girls and boys 18’s (2002-03), Cypress College assistant coach (2003), Beach Cities Volleyball Club 15’s (2004), Cerritos College Women's co-head coach (2005 - 2006) and Cerritos College Men's club head coach (2005 - 2006).

Oliver moonlights as a beach volleyball trainer, running classes in Manhattan and Hermosa Beach. Ali has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and a Master’s Degree in Education with an Emphasis in Kinesiology. She hopes to continue her coaching and teaching career for as long as possible and work on a Doctorate in Sports Psychology.

Ryan Carey - 18 Smack Assistant Coach

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Ryan Carey (Ali’s brother) is returning for his 2nd season with Smack VBC. In 2009, Ryan assisted the 18 Blue team. This season, he will be working with the 18 Smack team. A standout athlete at Gabrielino High School, Ryan played football, basketball, golf and volleyball for the Eagles. He was the starting middle blocker for the Varsity volleyball team for 2 years where he was voted Most Inspirational as a junior and team captain and MVP as a senior. He played two years of Varsity basketball and two years of Varsity golf as well. Ryan is currently a firefighter for the United States Forest Service. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and is an incredible addition to our coaching staff. In his spare time, Ryan enjoys hiking, swimming, backpacking, playing basketball and raising his 5 year old daughter, Naia.

Jennifer Espinoza - 18 Black Head Coach

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Jennifer Espinoza coached our 18 Blue team last year and will be coaching our 18 Black team this season. Jen will also be assisting our 15 Black team this year. She played 2 years of volleyball at Cerritos College where she helped lead the Falcons to a second place finish in the South Coast Conference as an outside hitter. As a member of the Falcon Track and field team, Jen still holds the record for the highest pole vault by a female in school history! A self-taught pole vaulter, Jen brings tons of motivation and enthusiasm to Smack VBC. Jennifer was a standout athlete at Santa Fe High School where she played volleyball, soccer and pole vaulted. After sustaining a bad knee injury on the soccer field, Jen was forced to redshirt her first season of college volleyball in order to rehabilitate her knee. Once recovered, Jen became a two year starting outside hitter for the Falcons, earning 2nd team All South Coast Conference honors as a freshman and first team All South Coast Conference honors as a sophomore. We are thrilled to have Jen back!

Natalie Barajas - 18 Black Assistant Coach

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A Smack VBC alum, Natalie played 2 seasons as an outside hitter for Cerritos College and just completed her senior season as an outside hitter for Whittier College. Nat played volleyball, basketball and ran track for Cal High. Natalie was the assistant coach of our 14 Black team and 18 Blue team in 2008 and assisted our 18 Silver team last season. She is assisting our 18 Black team and is moving into the head coaching role with our 12 Black team this year. Natalie has a wonderful spirit and will are thrilled that she is returning for her third year as a Smack VBC coach!

Shanell McMillen - 18 White Co-Head Coach

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Shanell McMillen is back for her fourth season coaching at Smack VBC. She coached Smack's first ever 16's team in our inaugural season. Shanell was a standout volleyball player at Ramona Convent High School where she was a 4 year Varsity starter and MVP in her senior year. During high school, she competed for San Gabriel Volleyball Club. Shanell went on to become the starting Outside Hitter at Cerritos College for two years where she was a 1st team All South Coast Conference Selection both years. She was also a 2 year captain and voted the team’s MVP her freshman year. After Cerritos, Shanell transferred to Cal State East Bay where she continued her education and playing career. In her senior year, she transferred to Whittier College to complete her collegiate playing career under coach, Ali Oliver. Shanell was the team's captain, kill leader and MVP. In Spring 2009, Shanell will graduate from Whitier College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology. We are thrilled to have Shanell back with us and she is excited to work with our developmental team this year!

Lenny Recinos - 18 White Co-Head Coach

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Lenny is a recent graduate of Whittier College. She is pursuing a graduate degree at USC. Lenny was a starting outside hitter for Bishop Conaty High School where she helped lead the team to a Horizon League Championship and an appearance in the CIF playoffs. Lenny played two seasons of volleyball for the Poets and completed her senior season under coach, Ali Oliver as an outside hitter. She just completed her 2nd season as the head coach of the JV team at Whittier High School and we are thrilled to have her back at Smack VBC.

Adrienne Spear - 16 Black Head Coach

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This is Adrienne's 2nd season with Smack VBC. She coached the 16 Blue team last year and will be taking over the 16 Black team this season. She just completed her 4th season coaching at La Habra High School where she was the JV Girls head coach for 2 seasons and has now taken over the Varsity squad. Adrienne was a 4 year volleyball player at La Serna High School. She played club for Magnum VBC, Pacific Coast VBC and finished her club career with Asics Tigers. After high school, she played 1 season at Golden West College where her team won the conference and state championships. She finished her playing career at Azusa Pacific University where she was an outside hitter and still holds the record for most aces served in one match. She coached 1 season at La Habra High School when she was still in college as well as a season with the 14’s team at Magnum VBC. Prior to coaching for Smack, Adrienne spent 2 seasons coaching for Fusion VBC, working with their 14’s and 18’s. Adrienne spends her days teaching and her weekends playing in volleyball leagues and attending her children’s events (daughter Marisa plays for our 12’s team). Adrienne is married and has 3 children.

Mariana Montes - 16 Black Assistant Coach

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Mariana is the head JV volleyball coach at South Pasadena High School. After competing for Seal Beach Volleyball Club, Marian played at Cypress College. She is pursuing a career as a volleyball coach and we are happy to have her join our Smack family of coaches!

Tori Grafeman - 15 Black Head Coach

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Tori joins Smack VBC for the first time this season. She was a standout at NCAA Division I Winthrop University where, as a senior, she helped lead the Eagles to an overall record of 34-3 and a perfect conference record of 14-0. Tori played as a middle blocker and outside hitter for Winthrop where she was her team's captain as a junior and senior. She was voted Big South Freshman of the Year in 2003 and made the Big South All Tournament Team from 2003 - 2005. She was a Big SOuth All Conference Selection 2004 - 2006 and was voted the Big South MVP in 2004. She graduated with a BA in Business in 2007. She prepped at La Cueva High School in New Mexico. Tori moved to southern California to pursue a professional beach volleyball career. She played in 6 AVP events last season and looks forward to competing in many more this year. We are absolutely thrilled to have Tori join our staff this season!

Jennifer Espinoza - 15 Black Assistant Coach

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Jennifer Espinoza coaches our 18 Blue team last year and will be coaching our 18 Black team this season. Jen will also be assisting our 15 Black team this year. She played 2 years of volleyball at Cerritos College where she helped lead the Falcons to a second place finish in the South Coast Conference as an outside hitter. As a member of the Falcon Track and field team, Jen still holds the record for the highest pole vault by a female in school history! A self-taught pole vaulter, Jen brings tons of motivation and enthusiasm to Smack VBC. Jennifer was a standout athlete at Santa Fe High School where she played volleyball, soccer and pole vaulted. After sustaining a bad knee injury on the soccer field, Jen was forced to redshirt her first season of college volleyball in order to rehabilitate her knee. Once recovered, Jen became a two year starting outside hitter for the Falcons, earning 2nd team All South Coast Conference honors as a freshman and first team All South Coast Conference honors as a sophomore. We are thrilled to have Jen back!

Katie Lord - 14 Black Assistant Coach

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Katie attended St. Lucy's Priory. She just completed her freshman campaign as a defensive specialist at Whittier College and is anxious to develop her coaching skills by working with Smack VBC this year.

Tammy Knott-Silva - 13 Black Head Coach

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Tammy is currently the head women’s volleyball coach at Pasadena City College. In 2008, Silva coached the No. 19-ranked team in the state, directing the Lancers to a 16-7 overall record and a tie for second place in the South Coast Conference at 11-3. She also coached the team to its first Southern California Regional Playoff appearance in seven years. Silva also was the site director for December's 2008 CCCAA Championship Tournament, an event that attracted more than 1,200 spectators. In 2007, Silva turned around a Lancers' program that only won eight matches between 2004-2006. She coached PCC to an impressive 9-5 fourth place finish in the South Coast Conference and 11-11 overall record. The team also placed runner-up at the San Diego City College Tournament. Her playing career began at Gladstone High School where she was a standout, 3 sport athlete. Tammy received numerous awards including Female Athlete of the year in her senior year. She was the league’s MVP for volleyball twice, her team’s MVP 3 times and an All San Gabriel Valley selection. She was the San Gabriel Valley Tribune Athlete of the Week 4 times during her high school career. After graduation, Tammy played basketball and volleyball for Citrus College. She made the all-conference team at Citrus twice, taking the conference MVP honors her sophomore year. She signed a scholarship to Southeastern Louisiana University where she and teammate, Ali (Carey) Oliver played. Tammy was an all conference selection at Southeastern where she also led the team in kills and hitting percentage her senior year. After two seasons of volleyball, she opted to compete for the Lions basketball team as well. After receiving a BA in Kinesiology from SLU, Tammy completed her MA in Kinesiology. Prior to coaching at PCC, Tammy was the head women’s volleyball coach at Citrus College where she took a mediocre program and turned it into a state Top 10 team. In 2006, she directed Citrus to the second round of the Southern California Regional Playoffs before her team was beaten in a 5-game match by eventual state runner-up Los Angeles Pierce. Her overall record of 82-46 and .640 winning percentage puts her among the elite coaches in California volleyball. In 2005-2006, she coached Citrus to a 36-9 record and two trips to the SoCal Playoffs second round. Her teams were ranked No. 9 in the CCCWVCA Top 25 Poll in ’06, No. 12 in ’05, and No. 19 this past season. Silva also coached the team to second place finishes both years in the powerful Western State Conference South Division. In ’06, her team went 8-2 in conference play and went 1-1 against WSC champion LA Pierce, handing that program its only conference defeat. In 2005, Silva was named the WSC Coach of the Year as her team finished 17-5 overall. Her teams twice won the San Diego City College Tournament titles in ’05-06 and took second place both years at the Santa Ana Tourney. Silva is strong at moving her players to the next level. She helped three players earn 4-year university scholarships in 2006. Before coaching at Citrus, Silva spent one year as a graduate assistant coach at Southeastern Louisiana University, a NCAA Division I school. Tammy is in the process of completing her doctoral degree. Tammy is married to Shandon Silva and they have one daughter, Savanna, who is 3.

Shannon Orlins - 13 Black Assistant Coach

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Shannon Orlins just completed her 2nd season as a Middle Blocker and Rightside Hitter for Whittier College where she received the Most Improved Player award after her freshman campaign. She comes to us from Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego where she was a standout volleyball and basketball player. She played two years on the Varsity basketball and volleyball teams and received the Most Improved Player Award and the Sportsmanship Award for her team. This is Shannon’s second season coaching for Smack VBC and she is very excited to work with our 13’s team. Shannon is pursuing a degree in biology and hopes to become a forensic scientist one day.

Maria Miranda - 12 Smack Head Coach

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We are excited to welcome Maria Miranda back to our coaching staff this season. She will be coaching the 12’s team for the 3rd year in a row. Maria started playing volleyball when she was 13 years old. She played all through middle and high school with 3 of those high school years playing for the Varsity team at Artesia High School. She was the team’s MVP in both her junior and senior years and was a 1st team all league selection in the Suburban League. Rather than playing club growing up, she competed in every open gym she could find. After high school, she went on to play as a Defensive Specialist at Cerritos College for two years where she received the Coaches Award in her sophomore season. She then transferred to Cal State University, Dominguez Hills where she played as the starting Libero and team’s captain. She received her Bachelor’s degree in International Business and is currently working in marketing. Maria has coached at numerous volleyball camps and clinics and has helpedcoach at Cerritos College over the past 4 years. She assisted the Hawaiian Gardens Youth Girls Volleyball program for 2 years as well. Maria enjoys bike riding, camping and playing racquetball in her spare time. Her goal is to do the 50 mile Rosarito/Ensenada bike race one day. She also speaks fluent Spanish. Maria is married to Geo Miranda and they have 1 son, Matthew who will be one year old this summer.

Geo Miranda - 12 Smack Assistant Coach

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Geo spent time helping 2008's 12’s team while Maria was pregnant and he was so great with the kids that we decided to bring him on as the official assistant coach in 2009! We welcome Geo back again as the assistant coach for our 12 Smack team. Geo played 4 years of volleyball at Huntington Beach High School where he was on the varsity squad for 3 seasons. After high school, Geo played 2 seasons at Los Angeles City College. Geo’s coaching experience includes both the Huntington Park girls and boys varsity volleyball teams. He coached the boys for 2 seasons and led them to an appearance in the city finals. Geo is a high school math teacher and is married to Maria Miranda.

Natalie Barajas - 12 Black Head Coach

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A Smack VBC alum, Natalie played 2 seasons as an outside hitter for Cerritos College and just completed her senior season as an outside hitter for Whittier College. Nat played volleyball, basketball and ran track for Cal High. Natalie was the assistant coach of our 14 Black team and 18 Blue team in 2008, assisted our 18 Silver team last season and is moving into the head coaching role with our 12 Black team this year. Natalie has a wonderful spirit and we are thrilled that she is returning for her third year as a Smack VBC coach!

Ashley Terich - 12 Black Assistant Coach

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Ashley prepped at Etiwanda High School. She just completed her first season for the Poets volleyball team where she was a setter and defensive specialist. Ashley competed for Top Gun volleyball club. She is a great addition to the club and is excited to work with our youngsters.

Kevin Osborn - Floating Coach

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Kevin played 2 years on the Men's Club Volleyball Team at Cerritos College where he played Middle and Rightside. Kevin comes to us from La Mirada High School where he played volleyball for 1 year and ran track and cross country for 3 years. He was also named to the Honor Roll all 4 years in high school as well as being named a "Scholar Athlete" for both Track and Cross Country. Kevin received the "Excellence Award" for academics for 3 years of his high school career and will be an excellent influence on our kids. Kevin has also reached the esteemed Eagle Scout honor and volunteers at his church for the youth ministry as an assistant teacher and actively participates in his church's youth group. Kevin will be assisting the 18 Black team for the 3rd year and hopes to develop his coaching skills in order to coach a boys team in the fall. Kevin is majoring in Education and hopes to one day teach Elementary School Physical Education. Kevin plays as much volleyball as he can, going to open gym and recently taking up the beach game. We are excited to have Kevin return to our coaching staff!