The following Viper Coaches are either currently coaching a collegiate team or have Collegiate coaching experience
Temecula Viper Volleyball Club
Coaches
Collegiate Coaches on Staff
Rob Machan
Rob Machan, named Head Women’s Volleyball Coach in 2007. Machan joins the Sacred Heart athletic department after two years as an assistant coach in at Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, California. As a member of head coach Chris Keife's staff, Machan helped guide the Cougar program back to the NAIA Tournament in 2005 for the first time since 2000. He helped the Cougars match that feat again in 2006, the first time in school history they received back to back bids to the tournament. While at APU he graduated with a Masters of Science in Physical Education
Prior to his stint at Azusa Pacific, Machan spent the previous four seasons (five overall) as a full-time assistant coach at the University of Southern California where his primary responsibilities with the team included coaching and training blocking systems, coordinating the defense and serving strategy, and assisting in recruiting. He also handled the program's alumni and community relations, as well as its gift and fundraising efforts.
After nearly two successful decades worth of experience at the club volleyball level, none could match the experience Machan enjoyed at USC under hall-of-fame coach Mick Haley. In 2002, he, along with fellow assistant Keife, helped coach USC to the national title. In 2003, he aided the Women of Troy capture a second straight national championship, its third Pac-10 championship in a five-year period and a perfect 35-0 record with an NCAA record 47-straight victories. While at USC, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.
With more than 18 years of experience as a girls' volleyball coach, Machan founded the Long Beach Volleyball Club in 1986 and Power/Asics Nova Volleyball Club in 1995. He coached Long Beach Club for six seasons, worked with the Magnum Volleyball Club for two years and then spent the past five years with Power/Asics Nova. Starting in 1991, his club teams earned medals in the Junior Olympic National Open Tournament nine times, including three gold.
As the La Habra (Calif.) High varsity girls' coach from 1994 to 1995, he led the team to consecutive league titles and two CIF quarterfinal appearances.
Machan and his wife, Christy, have three children--Danielle (17), Joshua (7), and Matthew (4).
Chris Keife
Chris Keife is in his fourth season as head coach of Azusa Pacific volleyball. In just 3 seasons, Keife has already accomplished something no other Cougar volleyball coach has done, taking Azusa Pacific to back-to-back NAIA Tournaments for the first time in program history.
A 1999 graduate of Cal State Fullerton, Keife spent the 2003 season as the head coach at GSAC member Hope International in Fullerton, Calif. In his first-ever head coaching assignment, as well as his lone season at Hope International, Keife orchestrated what has to be considered the biggest turnaround in GSAC volleyball history.
Prior to his season at Hope International, Keife spent 2 seasons (2001-02) as a volunteer assistant coach at NCAA Division I power University of Southern California under the direction of nationally-respected head coach Mick Haley. He was part of a staff that led the Trojans to the 2002 NCAA National Championship.
Keife was also an assistant for 5 seasons at his alma mater Whittier Christian High, where he coached former Azusa Pacific players Jenna and Joelle Sagehorn. In his time at Whittier Christian, the Heralds became the first girls’ team in school history to win a CIF championship when they captured the 2000 title. They also won the 2000 Olympic League championship and advanced to the CIF quarterfinals in 1999. From 1998-2000, Keife also assisted with the boys’ program, leading the Heralds to a 1999 CIF Semifinal appearance.
In addition to his collegiate and high school coaching, Keife was also an active coach for 3 seasons (2000-02) in the Asics Nova Volleyball Club. As the head coach for the Girl’s Under-16 division, Keife made 2 consecutive appearances in the U.S. Junior Olympics and had 2 different teams ranked in the top 10 of the SCVA.
Keife, who earned his master’s degree in physical education from Azusa Pacific in December 2003, also teaches in the university’s Exercise & Sport Science department. He and his wife, Becky, were married in 2005, and they reside in Chino Hills.
Rochelle Short
Rochelle Short has been named head volleyball coach at Point Loma Nazarene University, announced Sea Lion Athletics Director Dr. Carroll B. Land. Short, who played for PLNU for three seasons (2001-03) becomes the seventh head coach in the 30-year history of the university’s volleyball program.
A 2004 PLNU graduate with a degree in industrial organizational psychology, Short has been a volleyball coach and administrator for many years, mainly at the club level.
Short earned multiple accolades during her playing career as a middle blocker for Point Loma. She was named as an all-conference, all-region and NAIA first-team All-American in both her junior and senior seasons and was selected as team MVP in 2003. She played on PLNU teams that compiled a 92-19 overall record and finished second, third and fourth at the NAIA National Championships. Short is in the university record books in 13 places, including third in career blocks and fourth in career kills.
Rochelle has three very successful stints at coaching at the club level. Her 18's team at Delta Valley finished 17th at JO Nationals and won the Baltimore qualifier. 2005 was her first season with Viper and her team won the Volleyball Festival in the 16's division and finished 13th at JO Nationals. In 2007, her 12s team finished 6th overall at the Volleyball Festival.
Rochelle is married to husband, Mark, and live in Murrieta, CA. They are the parents to three children; Brooke, Bryce and Ryleigh.
Rochelle is married to husband, Mark, and live in Murrieta, CA. They are the parents to three children; Brooke, Bryce and Ryleigh.
Dana Burkholder
Dana’s athletic career began on the baseball fields of Southern California, where she joined her three older siblings on the youth sports circuit. At the age of seven she switched from baseball to track and field and within three years she won four TAC National Championships – the 1500 meter in 1989 and 1990, and the 800 meter in 1990. Her final win was the Bantam Division TAC National Cross Championship in 1990.
Dana’s family relocated to Bakersfield, California in 1991 and she picked up a new sport – volleyball. She was named MVP of her very first team in the 6th grade and there was no looking back. By her senior year in high school, she had won a Club Volleyball National Championship with Kern River Volleyball Club, a High School Valley Championship and the Bakersfield, California Volleyball Player of the Year award twice.
Dana became a member of the U.S. Junior National Team at the end of her junior year in high school. She was named the team captain in 1998 and led the team to the Norceca Championship in Cuernavaca, Mexico. In 2000, the team trained at the Lake Placid Olympic Training Center and finished 8th at the Norceca Championships in Saskatoon, Canada.
Dana’s success continued in college. At the University of Arizona, she became a two-time first-team All-American, the 2000 Pac-10 Player of the Year, Female Athlete of the Year, and led the Wildcats to their first and only Final Four appearance in 2001.
Following her success in college, Dana was invited to join the U.S. National Team in 2003 and trained with them at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She also played professionally in Italy’s A-1 premier league in 2005.
Following her professional career, Dana coached at the high school and club level and continued to conduct her own volleyball clinics throughout the Western United States.
In 2006, Dana signed on to the coaching staff at the University of Arizona. Coaching at her alma matter was a tremendous experience and gave her a lot of insight into the minds of young athletes and how achieving success isn't just about winning. Success has a lot of components - including the ability to maintain a balanced and healthy approach to sports and competition. This experience inspired Dana to pursue working with athletes to not only improve their physical skills, but their mental skills as well.
In November, 2007 Dana was inducted into the University of Arizona Hall of Champions along with softball phenom Jenni Finch and 6 other wildcat athletes.
Mike Huffman
Mike Huffman, in 2008 will begin his 2nd year collegiate coaching at Azusa Pacific as an assistant under head coach Chris Keife.
Huffman spent the past 3 years as an assistant at Elsinore High in Wildomar, Calif., where the Tigers won 3 straight Sun Belt League championships and advanced to last year’s CIF Southern Section Division II-A finals against Pasadena.
Huffman’s hobbies include photography, graphic design, and playing guitar. He is single and resides in Temecula.
High School Coaches on Staff
The following coaches are currently coaching for a local area High School or have high school coaching experience.
Paul Amoy
Paul was high school star and then attended Golden west and became the star bench warmer. Paul has coached for Viper since 1998 and has also coached high school at Calvary Chapel since 1999. Paul has been a huge asset to Viper volleyball as well as accumulated many accolades in his time with Calvary.
In 2005, Volleyball Festival Century Division Winner 16s age group. In 2006, his team earned Volleyball Festival 6th Place Overall Championship Division Winner 14s age group. In 2007, Volleyball Festival Challenge Division Winner 16s age group. In 2007, Volleyball Festival 39th Place finish in the 16s age group and 2007 Junior Olympic Qualifier 3rd Place overall.
In high school he has an 8 year League Record of 59-19 with the last 5 years being 45-2. An amazing 6 years in a row Big Sky League Champions (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007). He was named Big Sky League Coach of the Year 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, and 2007. In 2002 The Californian Newspaper named him Coach of the Valley.
In Pauls', high school coaching career he has many playoff finishes including CIF Division 4A Playoffs 7 of 8 Years, CIF Division 4A Quartefinals 2002, 2003, CIF Division 4A Semifinals 2004, 2005, CIF Division 4A Finalist 2006, CIF Division 4A Champion 2007, and CIF Division 4 Coach of the Year 2007.
He is married to Donna, who is also a volleyball coach, and they have 2 kids Tyler-10 and Jordyn-6
Donna Amoy
It all started for me so long ago at South junior High School, I got the volleyball bug. So I went on to play 4 years of varsity volleyball as an outside hitter at Katella High School in Anaheim. Later in my life, I played for Fullerton College as an outside hitter. My husband and I met at a co-ed league. Then when we moved to Temecula we came in contract with Viper and have coached club volleyball for TVVC for the past 8 years, coaching in both the 16 and 14s age groups. I coached 2 years at Chaparral High School prior to my husband Paul, brining me over to coach at my current position at Calvary Chapel Murrieta. I have coached for the past five years for the Junior High and Junior Varsity programs and have assisted him at the Varsity level.
My greatest Accomplishments, however, are being a wife and mother (first and foremost) to a wonderful husband, Paul (who shares my love for the game of volleyball) and my two beautiful children, Tyler and Jordyn (otherwise known as the gym rats).
Aaron Capp
Aaron Capp, born and raised in Auburn California began playing Volleyball in Junior High and excelled in High School on an undefeated Volleyball team under Coach Randy Ittner. During his senior year Aaron coached a successful girls 15 and under club team as well as a boys middle school team. After High School, Aaron chose to attend Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego. While at Point Loma, Aaron continued to play Volleyball and follow God's plan for his life. He found his wife to be on the first day of school and married her in July of 2000. After graduating in 2001 with a degree in Liberal Studies, Aaron and his wife moved to Los Angeles to begin his teaching career and so his wife could work on her Masters degree. July of 2004 Aaron and family moved to Temecula where Aaron began teaching in Menifee. October 17 th 2004 brought a new addition to the Capp family with baby Makayla. During the 2004-2005 school year Aaron coached a team of 6 th -8 th graders to a 2 nd place finish in their inaugural season of Volleyball. Aaron began coaching 14's and 16's with Temecula Valley Viper's January of 2005.
Kelly Staib
Kelly Anne (Barackman) Staib is a volleyball fanatic! Volleyball has been an enormous part of her life for a long time now. She have been playing volleyball since she was in sixth grade and now just started her third year as a coach. Some top accomplishments in volleyball have been being named 1st Team All League at Palomar Junior College and receiving a full athletic volleyball scholarship to California Baptist University. At CBU, she also received Athlete of the Week and 2ND Team All Conference in her Junior year. After finishing her volleyball career as a player and graduating college, she still wanted to be involved in volleyball...of course! So becoming a coach was the next best thing! She coached the JV team for a high school in Northern California two years ago and then moved to Temecula in 2005. This year, she continued her coaching career as the Varsity Head Coach at Temecula Valley High School.
Kelly this past year got married to her boyfriend Nick!! Some of the fun activities and hobbies she enjoys (besides volleyball) is socializing with friends, being with family, and the family dog, Bentley. She is currently a full-time teacher for Crowne Hill Elementary School in Temecula.
Merilee Snyder
The 2008 Viper Club season will be the 6th year with TVC for Merilee Snyder. Coaching the 12-2's for two consecutive successful seasons before moving
to the 14’s age Division. She coached the 14-2’s and 14’2 Elite for 3 seasons, with a Gold division finish in 2006 and a D2 finish in 2007 with a 6th place finish in Reno behind our 14-1 Championship team last summer. This season she will be coaching the 14-1 Elite Team. She has coached High School Varsity for 2 years and locally, assisted Varsity at EHS, during the 2004 season where they were League Champions, in 2006 coached the Freshman team and this past season coached the Junior Varsity.
to the 14’s age Division. She coached the 14-2’s and 14’2 Elite for 3 seasons, with a Gold division finish in 2006 and a D2 finish in 2007 with a 6th place finish in Reno behind our 14-1 Championship team last summer. This season she will be coaching the 14-1 Elite Team. She has coached High School Varsity for 2 years and locally, assisted Varsity at EHS, during the 2004 season where they were League Champions, in 2006 coached the Freshman team and this past season coached the Junior Varsity.
Graduating from USIU in San Diego(now Alliant University), where she played college volleyball on a full ride athletic scholarship, she was the graduate assistant on the Women's Volleyball Team her 5th year,
while earning her Teaching Credential.
while earning her Teaching Credential.
She met her husband, Michael over 20 years ago when they played grass/beach Co-ed Tournaments together. Now married for 17 years they have a son, Jake and he is 11 years old.
Merilee loves camping at the beach, Disneyland and DisneyWorld, hanging out with her 7 siblings, their children and her Dad, playing with her 2 Golden Retrievers and watching her son play volleyball. Dreams of vacationing more in Maui and getting healthy knees so she can play volleyball again.
Tommy Ortiz
Tommy has been coaching volleyball at the club level for 7 years. He has worked with 16's and 12's. For the past four years he has been coaching the 12-1's level for Viper volleyball. First year coaching 12-2's our team started at 57 and ended their season at 32 with all new players. Most of them not touching a ball prior to playing 12-1 (2003-2004) started at 25th and ended up 2nd in Southern California and 12th Nation. His 12-1 (2004-2005) team finished 5 th at The Volleyball Festival in 2005. Tommy has coached Junior Varsity for Temescal Canyon High School in Lake Elsinore for 2 years and also coached at the Varsity level.
Michael Nueweiler
Michael started playing volleyball at age 13. He continued playing through high school and then moved his game outdoors to the sand. He has been playing doubles in the sand and grass for the past 10 years.
Michael coached at Del Norte High School, in Albuquerque, NM for two seasons. His most recent coaching postions is coaching for Lindfield Christian High School as the Junior Varsity coach.
He loves to hang out with his three children suporting them in their sporting events. He is an avid poker player and he doesn't know a sport that he doesn't like to play. His three kids are ages 13, 7 and 4 years old. He also has a dog named, Dakota, who acts as the 4th child.
Michael says that he loves coaching volleyball and watching the players grew into their game.
Aaron Silverya
Aaron started playing in high school, graduated in 1986 and continued his playing career into college.
Aaron has coached 2 years for Viper Volleyball. Recently he was named the Assistant Coach for Temecula Valley High School where he served as the JV coach last year. He has junior college coaching experience as well. This year he decided to coach a 14s local team as well as assist with the 14-2 Elite team.
He has two daughters Kymberly and Hayley both players for Viper Volleyball Club.
His favorite thing to do is watch the San Diego Chargers (play, practice or still shots, we are not sure)!!!
Exclusive Viper Coaches
The following coaches dedicate their sole coaching experience, time and heart to TVC only.
Steve Jones
Steve has been coaching for Viper volleyball club since 1998. He has an impressive record with 3-7 th place finishes, 1-5 th place finish, 1-3 rd place finish and 2-1 st place finishes at the world's largest girls volleyball tourney known as The Volleyball Festival. This past year Steve's 15's team, with its first time appearance at the Junior Olympics, finished 11 th place overall in the 16-club division. As an athlete Steve's team finished 5 th place in the boys Junior Olympics in 1976 18s division. He was named to the 1 st team all league as an OH and setter while at Golden West Junior College in 1977-78 and 1978-79. He made to AVP appearances in 1983 and 1984 at the Cuervo Gold Boulder Open.
Tracy Murphy
Tracy grew up in Agoura Hills, Ca. She received a full ride scholarship to Arizona State University in 1993. She was a 3-year starting setter for the Sun Devils. Tracy's biggest achievements at ASU were taking the Sun Devils to the Sweet Sixteen twice and during her junior year they swept both USC and UCLA. During her time in Arizona she also coached for Arizona Volleyball Club. The team took 16 th at Festival the first year and won the silver division the year after. After graduating she moved back to California where she was a setter for Team Norelco on the Bud Light 4-Woman Volleyball Tour. For two years she played overseas in FIVB (Federation Indoor Volleyball) for Team Turnershaft Sparkase in Innsbruck, Austria. During the summers from 2000-2004 she worked with ex-collegiate players as well as coached for All American Volleyball Camps. She has also coached camps and clinics for ASU and U of A. Her favorite ice cream is peanut butter and chocolate and her one true passion besides volleyball is singing. She is now retired from playing but loves sharing her knowledge of the game as a coach. Tracy now resides in Temecula and is married to her husband, Nate and has two boys, Tucker 3 and Cooper, born March 2007.
Ed Taitano
Ed has played on the beach in two & four man tournaments in Guam and Hawaii. He participated in indoor Mens Tournaments in Guam (Slamfest, Guam) and Hawaii (Haili Invitational, Hilo, HI), as well. He was a Player/Coach for a Club Team in Guam during various tournaments
Ed has more than 5 years of Club Volleyball playing experience with different Guam clubs. He has played on his high school varsity volleyball team as well as in middle school.
Ed has coached as the Head Coach Valley-wide Recreation Co-ed volleyball, division II Spring 2006. Ed asst coach Boys JV volleyball team in Guam and Asst Coach Boys/Girls Middle School volleyball team in Guam, as well.
Ed hobbies include, Traveling, Movies and Eating out. He is
married with four kids (three girls and one boy).
Brittany Brown
Volleyball History: Played for Empire Volleyball Club based in Northern California for 6 years, along with 4 successful varsity seasons at PUC Prep High School. Received Napa County player of the year in 2005, Redwood Empire First Team, 2005. Went on to play starting libero at Azusa Pacific University for two years where she helped lead her team to the NAIA national tournament two consecutive years in a row and set the record for digs in a single season (2005), GSAC Libero of the week (2005).
Coaching History: Going into her third season of coaching and first year at Viper Volleyball Club. Last year coached 16’s at Point West Volleyball Club in Santa Clarita, and just finished her first season coaching at Bonita High School.
Personal: Grew up in Napa Valley, CA and is currently is a Sociology major at APU. She has a passion not only for volleyball but being involved with today’s youth. Loves anything and everything to do with outdoors… hiking, biking kayaking…
Heidi Gebhardt
Heidi started her love for the game of volleyball when she was 11 years old by watching her mom play grass volleyball at Mission Bay. Heidi enhanced her skills over the years and then started playing at Poway High School her freshman year, which continued throughout her high school days. Heidi played for San Diego Volleyball Club in 2000 and 2002, and for Coast Volleyball Club in 2001. While at Poway, Heidi received awards for “Most Improved”, “Hardest Worker” and “Most Valuable Player - Offense”.
In 2002, Heidi received a full scholarship to play volleyball for Alliant International University and graduated in 2006 with her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She played volleyball for the Mountain Lions from 2002-2004, but the athletics program folded her senior year. So instead of throwing in the towel for volleyball, she continued her passion by coaching the Girl’s Freshman team at her alumni, Poway High School. In 2006, Heidi coached the JV team for PHS, which had a winning record of 23-4 and won 2 of the 3 tournaments they attended. In addition, she’s helped with try-outs, practices, and tournaments for San Diego Volleyball Club and Epic Volleyball Club.
Heidi’s personal motto about volleyball can be summed up into one word: “Perseverance”.
Jessica Nelson
Jessica has played volleyball since she was young and played for Westlake High School (Westlake Village, CA) and a local club team through her sophomore year when injuries forced her to stop playing. She attended college at the University of Oregon (GO DUCKS!) with plans to play soccer but one too many knee surgeries ended her chances. It is at that point she began coaching volleyball running a program at Harrisburg Middle School. Post-college she moved back to Orange County where she later coached at Saddleback Valley Volleyball Club and played in local leagues. She took the last year off of coaching to return to school and get her Masters in Education and teaching credential from Pepperdine University. In April 2007, marriage brought her out to the Temecula Valley and eventually to TVC. She’s excited to be part of Viper Volleyball and is looking forward to the season ahead.
Meri Jo Nunley
Second season with Viper. Coached 12-Locals last season and 12-regionals
this year.
Played college volleyball at San Diego Mesa, then transferred to Portland
State University on a full scholarship. (NCAA DIV. 2 Champions both
years).
Taught in Menifee for 8 years in elementary and junior high school. Now
with 4 children (Morgan on Viper 14-1’s, Maddie on the 12-Regional, Jamie
11, and Marlee 6) my husband John and I spend most evenings and weekends
in gyms.
Outside of the gym I enjoy photography, camping at the beach, and a little
Texas hold-em.
Pat Gates
Pat has played in many adult men's leagues and travels to Spokane, Washington to compete. He also played on CoEd teams and as a member of the YMCA jungle ball team which also traveled to Spokane, Washington.
He has coached for viper on the 16 level in 1997. He assistant coached from 2002-2006 at various levels including the 12s division. He head coached a 16s local team last year and is currently coaching a 14s local team with his daughter, Allie.
Pat enjoys camping, traveling to the river and desert for family trips.
Pat has been married to his high school sweetheart, Connie, for 31 years. Together they have two beautiful daughters, Breanna and Allison. They also have two chihuahuas: named Diesel and Xenna.
Steve Ortiz
Steve started learning the game of volleyball in junior high. He heavily involved himself in the two man game after high school. He received his AA rating in doubles on the grass game.
Steve has assistant coached the boys for the 1st elsinore club team in 1990-1991. He also helped the 1st boys high school team at Elisinore High. He is currently coaching a 14 travel team as well as a 16s and 12s local team with Viper.
Steve loves cooking, coaching and playing the game of volleyball with the bonus of bossing your kids around the volleyball court.
Karen Lewis
AKA Lew, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in '99 with a BSE in Mechanical Engineering where she played varsity volleyball all four years. She also walked on to the basketball team for one season. After graduation she returned home to Cincinnati, Ohio to work as an engineer for 2 years and started coaching club volleyball for Mizuno Cincy Classics. Her 13-1 team went to Nationals in 2002 and placed 13th. After leaving the corporate world, Lew taught 7th grade math at Cincinnati Country Day School for two years where she also coached middle school volleyball, basketball, softball and high school varsity volleyball. She followed her heart as a skydiver, and the sun to California in 2003, taught for a year near LA before settling in down here. Lew is now a professional skydiver based out of Perris Valley Skydiving. Last year she had a great season coaching the Viper 14-3 team, which surprised many people coming in ranked at 137 and finishing at 85th. Lew also likes to tutor all levels of math. When she's not skydiving, tutoring or coaching, she also likes to hike and rock climb.
Rene' Simon
This is the first year coaching with Viper for Rene’. Previously she has assisted two seasons at the Jr High level at Calvary Chapel Christian School in Murrieta under Donna Amoy. Rene’ is entering into her fourth season playing for Viper…currently on the 18-1’s. Rene’ is home schooled, and competes in high school athletics through Calvary Chapel Christian School in Murrieta. She has played four years varsity volleyball, one season of varsity soccer, and will be starting in her fourth season of varsity track and field this spring for the Warriors. She is also a Senior Class Representative in Calvary’s ASB, and attends church at Calvary Murrieta.
Next fall Rene’ will attend and play for the California Baptist University Lancers, she plans to major in Graphic Design and Digital Media with a Minor in Business Marketing.
