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.

Coastal Volleyball Director / 14 Elite Head Coach

Morgan Toney has been the Varsity Volleyball Coach at Tampa Catholic High School since 2015.  In her 5 years at

TC, the Crusaders have compiled an 80-53 record.  She was with Tampa United Volleyball Academy for 7 years

as their 13/14 Elite Coach. Before moving to Tampa, Coach Morgan played her high school and club volleyball in

Orlando for OVA and Bishop Moore Catholic HS.  Coach Morgan has been tabbed by many of her coaching peers as

the "Queen of Small Ball" for her ability to get her teams to play at a high level by being offensively efficient, serving

tough and playing stingy, disciplined defense.  Coach Morgan's passion for the game of volleyball makes her a fierce

competitor as well as a thoughtful coach.

Recruiting Coordinator / 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.

11 Elite Head Coach / 15 Elite Assistant

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.

16 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.

12 Elite Head Coach / 13 Elite Assistant

17 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.

15 Elite Assistant

Mackenzie Dufresne  is a freshmen MB for the University of Tampa Spartans.  Mac earned SSC

Commissioner’s Honor Roll with a perfect 4.0 GPA.  She competed in all 33 matches and 112 sets as well as being Top

5 in kills within the team with a total of 152 kills.  Averaged 1.36 kills per set and finished with an attack percentage of

.321 and 364 total attacks.  Recorded a season-high of 13 kills against #11 Ferris State (09/14).  Recorded another

game of double-digit kills with 10 against Florida Southern (11/05) where she also logged another season-high of 11

digs ... Tallied eight assists, 22 service aces, 67 digs, and 74 total blocks, eight of which were solo blocks.  Mackenzie

ranked sixth in the SSC in hitting percentage as a freshmen.  "We are stoked to have Mac on staff as a current college

player she can relate to our kids as well as be a mentor to them", "not only that but she gets to teach our MB's the

foundation to the success that she has had at the University of Tampa" - Coach Shepherd

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.

14 Elite Assistant

 
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.

16 Elite Assistant

Kalei Kepler is a Freshmen OH who play Indoor and Beach for the St. Petersburg College Titans.  Kalei played

7 years of Indoor Club and 4 years of Beach at Optimum Volleyball Club.  She also played 2 years with USA High

Performance Volleyball and has won 3 USAV National Bids.

Camps Coach

Wendy Hensley was the Freshmen Head Coach at Louisville Mercy Academy for 12 years, amassing more than 250

wins with the Jaguars.  Hensley served as head coach for ages 10U-14U at Union Volleyball Club and as the Director

of Volleyball and coach at St. Gabriel the Archangel.  She is an IMPACT Certified Coach by USA Volleyball.  Coach

Hensley played collegiately for the Kentucky Wesleyan College Panthers as a Setter.  She is currently the

Marauders JV Head Coach and Varsity Assistant at Clearwater Central Catholic High School for the last 2 years with

Coach Shepherd.