CVA Staff

Our staff consists of a carefully selected group of qualified coaches that will emphasize the same 

set of fundamentals as well as advanced skills. Coastal attracts, develops and retains coaches that

embody the philosophies we consider vital to a coach’s success. We strive to have our teams led by

individuals that are experienced, knowledgeable and professional individuals that are dedicated to their

team and consider themselves to be lifelong learners. BAJA and Coastal coaches embrace the club’s

player-centric philosophy.  We commit to helping our athletes build a strong work ethic, leadership skills

and life lessons that will carry far beyond the volleyball court.

     
Coaches must complete all certifications required by USA Volleyball / AAU and undergo annual

background checks in conjunction with USA Volleyball / JVA protocol and policy to be eligible to coach.

     
INTERESTED IN COACHING AT Coastal Volleyball Academy!?  We are always looking for

passionate and dedicated individuals to join the team. Please email your employment inquiry to 

[email protected]

     
Coastal Volleyball Academy is one of only a handful of volleyball clubs across America to be fully

sponsored by Under Armour under The New Prototype program!  We are excited to partner with Under

Armour and proud to be a part of their #IWillWhatIWant / #WeWill campaign.

Director / 17 Elite Head Coach

Ashley Martin is the Varsity Volleyball Coach at Osceola Fundamental HS.  In her 1st season at Osceola, Ashley

led the Warriors to a 25-1 record, a District Championship and a Regional Final Appearance.  Ashley was named the

St. Pete Times Pinellas CoTY in 2019.  Ashley started playing club volleyball at the age of 11 at Gulf Coast Juniors

Volleyball in Pinellas County.  Upon entering high school, she started on Varsity as a freshman and by her senior year,

led the county in kills with 265 and helped lead Seminole High to 3 straight Regional Playoff Appearances.  As one of

the top recruits for the c/o 2005, she earned many Division I scholarship offers, but ultimately decided to continue her

career at Winthrop University where she would earn a starting spot as an Opposite for the Eagles.  She then

went on to play for the Florida Southern College Mocs (2006-10) where she earned multiple accolades

including:  AVCA All-American (2006-07 & 2010), AVCA 1st Team All-South Region (2006-07 & 2010), 1st Team All-

South Region (2006-07), NCAA South Regional All-Tournament Team (2006-07), West Florida All-Tournament Team

(2007), Premier Challenge All-Tournament Team (2006), All SSC 1st & 2nd Team (2006-07) as well as Sunshine State

Conference Commission’s Honor Roll.  Ashley graduated with a Bachelor’s degree with a double major in Physical

Education and Human Movement & Performance.

18 Elite Head Coach / 17 Elite Assistant

Billy Phillips grew up in New Port Richey and played baseball at River Ridge High School.  After high school he 

continued his baseball career at Pasco Hernando College and Florida Gulf Coast University.  In 2005, Billy signed a

professional baseball contract with the Boston Red Sox.  After his time with the Red Sox he continued his playing

career with multiple teams in the Frontier League and Northern League associations.  Upon retiring from baseball Billy

returned to FGCU where he was a volunteer assistant pitching coach with the Eagles working with multiple pitchers

who are in the Major Leagues today.  Today Billy uses his extensive knowledge of arm mechanics to help teach proper

swing mechanics to our hitters, young and old alike.  He is the Varsity Assistant at Osceola HS where in their first year

together on the bench, Billy and Head Coach Ashley Martin propelled the Warriors to their best season ever at 25-

1, as well as District Champions and Regional Finalists.

14 Elite Head Coach

Alex Greer was a three-year starter at libero and defensive specialist at Newsome High School.  Played five years of

club volleyball with Sandspurs, helping the team to club qualifiers in Minneapolis, Baltimore and Orlando.  Played

Libero/DS at Southeastern Louisiana University for the Lady Lions from 2007-09 and finished fifth in the

Southland Conference in digs per set (4.14) as a Junior.  One of five players in the league to average over 4.0 digs per

set.  Earned Honorable Mention All Southland Conference as a Junior.  Entered Senior season ranked 13th in school 

history in total digs (911). Career average (3.35) is the ninth-best in school history.

11 Elite Head Coach

Taylor Whaley played at Lakewood High School from 2005-09 where she was a Tampa Bay area standout.  She

played for Pinellas Heat Elite VBC for 7 years where all her teams qualified for JO’s, placing 3rd in 18 Open in 2009.

She played for the Eckerd College Tritons from 2009-13 as a standout Outside Hitter.  Following college Taylor

coached for St. Pete Volleyball Club for 7 years and was most recently with Pinellas Heat Elite VBC for 3 years, where

her 11’s team was ranked #1 in Florida in 2018.  She spent 4 seasons (2016-20) as the Marauders Varsity Assistant

at Clearwater Central Catholic High School with Coach Shepherd.

13 Elite Head Coach

17/18 Elite Assistant

Alisa Pierce played in college as a Defensive Specialist for the University of Kentucky Wildcats, club volleyball

at one of the best programs in the nation, KiVA and was a standout at Louisville Pleasure Ridge Park HS.  At UK Alisa

was on of two Seniors on the 2008 UK squad who had won 17 or more matches in all 4 years.  For her career she

notched over 820 Digs and played in over 350 sets.  During her tenure she had 40 matches with 10 or more digs, and

twice had over 20 digs in a match.  She led the team in digs 17 times in her career.

13 Elite Head Coach

 
Madison Kachurak was a 4 year Varsity player for Fivay HS as well as a 4 year Setter for Tampa United Volleyball

Club.  She was Captain of both teams her Senior year and earned numerous accolades including 2019-20 SAC Player

of the Year, 1st Team All Conference as a Junior and Senior as well as setting the Falcons school record for Serving

%.  She was a prominent student athlete and will be attending USF on an academic scholarship to major in early

childhood education.

15 Elite Assistant

Katie Holman was a....

13 Elite Assistant

Maddie Raquet was an OH/RS for the Troy University Trojans.  Maddie played for four seasons at Berkeley 

Preparatory High School.  She helped the Buccaneers to four straight appearances in the FHSAA Girls Volleyball

playoffs, four straight District Championships and four straight Regional Championships.  Won the FHSAA Class 4A

State Championship in 2011 as a Sophomore and the Class 3A State Championship in 2011 as a Freshman. 

Appeared in the Class 4A State Championship game in 2012 as a Junior and in the Class 4A State Semifinals in 2013

as a Senior.  Posted a 30-2 overall record as a Sophomore, a 19-12 record as a Junior and a 22-8 record as a Senior. 

Named to the Tampa Bay Times All-County team and the Tampa Tribune All-County team as a Junior and Senior.  She

posted 157 kills, 153 digs, 49 service aces and 50 total blocks as a senior.