One of the distinct advantages of a club like NAVC is the high calibre of coaches it attracts because of it's history and reputation for developing great athletes, and great young people. We know each NAVC team will not only benefit from great coaching but will be exposed to the wealth of knowledge and experience of our Technical Advisors consisting of former CIS, National Team and many Pro volleyball players, as they help with the selection process, assist at team practices and offer positional clinics to NAVC athletes throughout the upcoming season.

Please take a minute to look over the Bios of 2023/2024 NAVC Women's Coaching Staff. We know you will be impressed!!

NAVC Griffins 18W Coaching Staff

For anyone who knows Coach G, they would have to agree with the fact that Volleyball is not just a sport for her, but it is a necessity of life. Therefore, it would not be an understatement to say that Grachella is passionate about Volleyball! 

Upon arriving in Canada from the Philippines, she continued to hone her volleyball skills and has achieved great success as a player; college & university volleyball scholarships in Canada and the U.S., Captain of her teams, All-Star, MVP, Athlete of the Year Awards. Despite transitioning her playing career from the court to the beach, she came out of retirement in 2009 and 2013 to compete in two World Masters Games in both Australia and Italy, earning a Bronze and Silver with her team.

It did not take long for Grachella to recognize that her enthusiasm for the sport transcended playing and thus she began to coach.  Her credentials include being an NCCP Level II coach, serving multiple years as an Asst Coach in College and University in Ontario. She also coached Ontario Summer Games Teams in Beach Volleyball, where her teams earned silver and bronze medals.   In 2009, she moved west and quickly entrenched herself in the Edmonton volleyball community.  She has coached girls volleyball from 13U - 18U age groups, plus spends countless hours running training sessions for Aspire Volleyball and has also dedicated her coaching talents to several athletes who play Beach Volleyball, during the summer months. Grachella also was awarded the Mikasa Volleyball Alberta Development Coach of Year in 2016.

In 2016 she joined the Strathcona High School Volleyball Program with Coach Riley McCaig, coaching the Junior Varsity Women’s team to 5 City Championship Banners and 1 Silver finish,  before they both jumped on to coach the Senior Women's Varsity Team in 2022, where they earned a Silver in City’s, a Bronze in Provincials and 2 consecutive Alberta Sportsmanship Banner.  They were also recognized as the Metro Athletics Coach of the Year in 2022.

As a coach, Grachella takes an immense amount of pride in developing athletes of all ages and skill levels.  Stressing leadership, hard work, discipline and technical fundamental skills are at the forefront of her coaching philosophy. To her,  it is not about the number of matches you win, the number of medals you take home – it is about how you have improved as an athlete but most importantly, how you have grown as a whole person.

When she is not coaching,  Grachella is the Associate Director of Campus & Community Recreation at the University of Alberta, whose  goal is to create MOMENTS that inspire and empower exceptional life experiences through recreation, sport, and wellness.

In her “free” time, Grachella also enjoys traveling to sunny beach destinations as well as camping, with her partner Gibson and their portuguese water dog Koa. Grachella is looking forward to being back with NAVC after a 3 year break, she has coached with NAVC for 10 years.

Riley is entering his 7th year coaching with NAVC and his 9th year coaching club volleyball. He has helped coach his teams to numerous podium finishes, including top 3 finishes at Provincials and top 10 finishes at Nationals. He has also helped coach the Junior Varsity Women at Scona High School for 5 years, resulting in 4 city championships. This past year, he helped coach the Senior Varsity Women at Scona to a bronze medal at Provincials. In addition to club and school volleyball, Riley also coaches with Aspire Volleyball and has coached beach volleyball at Alberta Summer Games.

Riley’s coaching philosophy strives to develop high-performance athletes on and off the court. He believes in goal setting and helping athletes achieve personal and team goals. The sport of volleyball has given him great memories, and he wants his athletes to continue their love for the sport.

Ashley Lee

Kim Bolin

Ella Mackenzie

NAVC Griffins 17W Coaching Staff

Greg played Libero with NAIT for five years being named Captain in his last two years. Afterwards he transitioned straight into coaching. Greg was an assistant coach for Nait for 8 years and then Head Coach of the NAIT Men's Volleyball Team for one year before starting his MBA in Sports Psychology and Counselling.  He has also been a staple in the Edmonton men's/women's club scene over the last decade coaching ten different 18U men's/women's teams around Edmonton. Greg has helped over 100 athletes transition from club player to college/university athlete. On top of this Greg has worked as a regular coach with ASPIRE volleyball for the last eight years and spent a summer coaching an 18U Alberta Provincial team. Greg does not have an overall coaching philosophy as he feels each team is different and has their own unique set of challenges and opportunities. Greg is very excited to help another team of young women transition to a new chapter in their lives!

Kaitlyn is entering her fifth year of coaching with NAVC with the first four years at the 18U club level and is excited to work alongside Greg Gulash with the 17 women's team this year.  She is currently completing her advanced developmental coaching certification and also holds a level 1 officiating certificate.

Kate is an NAVC alumni having played all of her years of club volleyball with NAVC.  She has won many MVP awards and tournaments during her club and high school years including the Metro City Championships in her grade 12 year along with a gold & silver medal at the ASAA provincial championships.  Her winning pedigree also helped win a gold medal with her 18U team in the Phoenix Fiesta Festival.

Kaitlyn attended Briercrest College for two years where her team won back to back silver medals at the ACAC championships along with a fourth place finish at the CCAA National Championships.  She then transferred back home to attend NAIT and in her first year there, helped get her team back to the ACAC Provincial Championships once again.  Last year Kate was a student athlete and the captain/starting setter with the NAIT Ooks Women's Volleyball Team and playing in her fifth year of eligibility.  This year, Kate will be joining the coaching staff at Nait as one of the assistant coaches for the varsity team.

Bio Coming Soon!

NAVC Griffins 16W Coaching Staff

Keith hails from Manitoba and is entering his 13th year coaching Club volleyball.  NAVC is excited to have Keith join our coaching roster as the 16U women's head coach.  Keith's focus has been coaching female 13U-16U club volleyball teams which have earned a bronze medal at 14U Nationals, several top 10 finishes at Manitoba 14U provincials along with gold medals at Manitoba Premier events.

His coaching philosophy is to develop elite players with exceptional fundamentals and tactical knowledge of the game through hard work and dedication. Keith believes that it is important to build self confidence in his players through the power of positive reinforcement and respect. In addition to coaching volleyball, Keith works in finance and enjoys travelling, family time, playing hockey and golf.

Taylor played school and Club volleyball for 6 years as well as Senior Women's and Coed volleyball for another 6 years in both Edmonton and Winnipeg.  She has 5 years of volleyball coaching experience.  She coached U13-U14 boys at one of the top boys Club teams in Winnipeg as well as several years coaching U13-U15 girls.

Taylor is ecstatic to be stepping back on the volleyball court in a coaching capacity again. She is looking forward to sharing her passion for the game and developing young female athletes.

Bio coming soon!

NAVC Griffins 15W Coaching Staff

Larissa is excited to be back coaching with NAVC.  She has a wealth of experience with club volleyball, Provincial Team volleyball and also coached with MacEwan University for 6 seasons.

Larissa is a former CIS athlete having played 5 seasons for the U of A Pandas with 3 years as the MVP.  She was also a member of Canada's FISU Games team from 2003-2005 as well as a member of Team Canada women's nationals team from 2005-2009.  During her time on the National team she was voted twice the best setter at NORCECA tournaments.  Larissa was also a professional volleyball player for 5 seasons for Spain, France, Germany, Romania and Azerbaijan.  She brings with her a wealth of knowledge, skill and experience in all positions, but specializing in setting and is looking forward to sharing her passion for the sport with these growing athletes.

Bio Coming Soon!

Bio Coming Soon!

NAVC Griffins 14W Coaching Staff

Richard is excited to be back with NAVC for the 2023 season, his 21st with the club! In this time he has coached every age group picking up a Nationals Div 1 bronze, a provincial championship and two provincial silvers along the way.  Richard has also been on the Team Alberta U16 Girls coaching staff four times, collecting a gold silver and bronze at the Western Elite competition. In addition to youth volleyball, he spent time in the ACAC with the NAIT Women, assisting them during the National Championship winning 2013 season and with the MacEwan Griffins for a season in 2014.

He is a Certified Advanced Development Coach and has started his Performance Coach certification.

Outside of volleyball, Richard is a teacher who has a BSc Math, BEd and just completed his Master of Math for Teachers.

This is Bronwyn's first year coaching with NAVC and she is excited to join the club! Bronwyn played volleyball with the Mount Royal Cougars Club in Calgary in her 17U & 18U seasons, playing as an outside hitter and libero. She has a passion for defense and hopes to inspire young players by instilling a love for the game!

Bronwyn is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Education at the University of Alberta in the After  Degree Program, and hopes to one day teach in the sciences.

Bio Coming Soon!

NAVC Griffins 13W Coaching Staff

Miles is very excited to be back again as the Head Coach of the U13 Girls team for the 2021-2022 season and has been a part of the NAVC club for 9 years. Miles started coaching in 1983 and has coached at the Junior High, High School level, club level and assisted at the provincial team level.  He has 5 years of ACAC experience, coaching 2 years at NAIT and 3 years at RDC.

Justine is entering her third year assistant coaching with NAVC. Justine has also coached with EVPC and Volleyball Alberta, working with athletes of all ages and skill levels!

Justine is an NAVC alumni having played her U15 and U18 years with the club. She currently is attending Concordia University of Edmonton where she is completing a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) degree! Justine is a student-athlete who is in her fourth year as a libero for the Thunder Women’s volleyball team at CUE. 

She is very excited to be back coaching this year and cannot wait to help these athletes grow and learn to be great volleyball players, as well as great people! 

Bio Coming Soon!