Coaches

Maddie is the club director and founder of AVC Nebraska. She is a Kearney, Nebraska native. Squiers stepped into the coaching role at her alma mater, as an assistant for the UNK Volleyball team. She graduated with her Masters in Sports Administration in May 2024. Previously, Squiers was a club director in the Central/Western Nebraska area where she managed over 20 teams. She was awarded the AVCA 30 under 30 club award in 2023 and has provided lessons and coaching to a variety of athletes ranging from beginner to advanced.

Squiers started her collegiate career at Bellevue University where she was a two-time NAIA All-American setter before she joined the UNK Loper squad in 2018. She was part of an MIAA Regular Season Championship, MIAA Tournament Championship, and a part of the 2019 D2 NCAA Runner-Up team. During her collegiate career, Squiers tallied 6,000 assists and was a 2x NCAA Division 2 All-American. Squiers played professionally in Austria and most recently with the Omaha Supernovas. She attended Kearney Catholic High School, where she was a multi-sport athlete. Squiers helped the Stars volleyball squad to 3 straight state championships.

Jaden grew up in Lincoln, NE and graduated from Lincoln Southwest High School in 2019. She has been playing volleyball since 2nd grade and just finished up her playing career as an All-American for the UNK Lopers. She has her bachelors degree in Multimedia Journalism and she is currently working on her master's degree in public communications.

She is currently the Graduate Assistant coach for the UNK Volleyball team. She has coached club for the last two years. She also runs AVC's social media accounts. Some of her hobbies include photography and watching volleyball with her family. "I am super excited to get to know everyone this season and expand the girl's knowledge of volleyball!"

Carly has been playing volleyball since the age of 7. She is a current member of the UNK Volleyball team. She is from North Platte, NE where she was a four-year varsity volleyball letterwinner for the Bulldogs from 2019-2023. She was on the 2022 AVCA All-American watch list, recorded 1,219 kills in her high school career with a 3.7 per set average and was between 3.7-4.2 over her final three years and hit .255 as a senior. She also had 480 career digs and nearly 100 blocks and 100 aces. She helped the 'Dawgs reach the 2020 Class A state tournament and played travel ball for  VCNebraska Club. She was also a basketball letterwinner and accomplished Choir member and was a two time all state singer in high school. She is currently a sophomore on the UNK volleyball team as an outside hitter.

"I want to coach because I want to share my knowledge and passion for the game of volleyball with younger children to help them hopefully find the same passion I did for the game at such a young age."

Addison has been playing volleyball for the past 12 years. She is currently a freshman Outside Hitter for the UNK Lopers, studying Pre-Pharmacy. Addison was a 4-year volleyball varsity letter winner at Columbus High School where she received multiple All-State Honorable Mentions and made All-Conference Teams for Athletics and Academics. Addi amassed 722 kills for the Discoverers over her final two years at Columbus High, averaging 4.5 kills-per-set as a senior in 2023. She was also one of the team’s top passers at 554 digs as an upperclassman. Being a multi-sport athlete, Addi additionally was a 4-time State Track Qualifier in the 800 meter run, medaling at State in 2021. She played Club Volleyball for 5 years at Nebraska Elite on the 1’s Team (competing in the Open Division). She has gained several coaching experiences through working clinics, personal lessons, and assisting youth volleyball teams. In her free time she enjoys working out, painting, shopping, and hanging out with friends. 

“I am so grateful to be a part of this experience and expand youth volleyball in Kearney, NE! Volleyball is such a fun game that I want to continue to share for our upcoming generations. Developing fundamental skills, teamwork, and having fun are some things I hope my players can take away from their time here.”

Payton is from Sidney Nebraska where she was a three sport athlete and played club volleyball. She has played volleyball for 8 years until she graduated High School. She participated in the State tournament in every sport she played in High School two out of the four years she attended. She is currently a student at UNK reaching to get her masters in exercise science. She loves hanging out with her family and friends and creating new memories everyday. She has been around sports her whole life either playing or watching. "I am so excited to further my love for this sport by coaching amazing girls with a bright future in this sport. Volleyball has taught me the hard lesson that not everything is handed to you and needs to be worked for."

Brynn has been around the sport of volleyball her entire life, and has been playing competitively for over ten years. She is currently a freshman right side hitter for the UNK volleyball team. Brynn was a four year varsity letter winner at Olathe West High School, where she racked up 2 first team all conference honors, 2 all state honors, all while breaking the school career hitting percentage record, and blocks in a season record. Brynn is currently pursuing a degree in Sports Management at UNK. Brynn played 9 seasons of club volleyball for nationally ranked KC Power, and ended her 18s season with a 5th place finish in the National Division. She gained coaching experience at Power by helping with clinics and camps for younger players. In her free time, Brynn can be found walking outdoors, hanging out with friends, shopping, and reading. 

“I am so excited to get this season started and to begin training your girls! I have always had a deep love for the game, and I can’t wait to share my knowledge with younger players and give them the chance to fall in love with the game as I did at their age.”

Rhyan has been around the sport of volleyball almost her entire life, and has been playing competitively for over ten years. She is currently a freshman DS/ Libero for the UNK volleyball team. Rhyan attended Blue Valley High School in Stilwell, KS and varsity lettered her senior year where she played right back DS alongside several D1 commits. Rhyan is currently pursuing a degree in Aviation at UNK and planning on using the degree to become a commercial airline pilot. Rhyan played 6 seasons of club volleyball for PVA and another 3 at Fenix Volleyball, ending her 18s season with PVA at Nationals in the USA division. She gained coaching experience by helping with clinics and camps for younger players here in Kearney. In her free time, Rhyan can be found hanging out with friends, shopping, going on drives, and flying planes!

“I am so very excited to get the chance to help train your girls alongside my teammate Brynn, here at AVC! I have so much love for volleyball and I can’t wait to share my passion with all of your girls! I hope to teach them how important it is not only to want to play great volleyball, but what it is to be a great teammate on AND off the court. Can’t wait to meet all your girls and to get this season started!”

Julia Davenport has been playing volleyball since she was in 1st grade. She is a current freshman on the UNK volleyball team where she is versatile as a setter as well as defensive specialist. Julia is from Omaha, Nebraska where she was a 3 year varsity letter winner at Papillion LaVista High School. She helped the Monarchs appear in the state tournament all 3 years. In her senior season, she helped her team all the way to the 2023 NSAA State Championship match and was the Class A Runner Up. She was heavily involved in her athletics and academics, her senior year was awarded AVCA Best and Brightest Award - 3rd team in the country for academics, was All State Volleyball Honorable Mention as well as All Metro Conferences Honorable Mention. Julia played club at Nebraska Elite Volleyball in the Open division. She gained coaching experience at Elite by helping with clinics and mini sessions for younger players. In her free time she enjoys reading, going on outdoor walks, watching Netflix and hanging out with friends and family. 

 “I’m super excited to coach for AVC this year! I can’t wait to share my knowledge of the game of volleyball to the younger players and watch them thrive and develop into great players and people as well. My hope for them is to find the same drive, excitement and love for the sport as I did at their age! 

Makayla Foster has been playing volleyball since the second grade. She is a current member of the UNK volleyball team! Makayla was a 4 year varsity player at Broomfield High, in her hometown, Thornton, Colorado. She was nominated First Team All Conference. She was also nominated for Honorable Mention for the 5A All State Team. She has coaching experience through her club, Juggernaut, at their Youth Developmental Program. As well as volunteer clinics, and smaller programs throughout her years as a volleyball player. 

“I have such a high passion for volleyball. Anything and everything about it is fascinating and a lot of fun! While playing at a competitive level for many years, I feel I have a deep understanding of strategy, technique, and training. I inspire to enforce an electric environment where players can flourish, while embracing challenge, overcoming obstacles, and becoming a better physical and mental player over all. My goal as a coach is dedicate my time to teach all I’ve learned to the players and help them be the best they can be.”

Coaching Experience: Year 10 

I’m currently an Assistant Coach for the Hastings College Women’s Volleyball team, where I get to work closely with talented athletes and help shape their growth both on and off the court. Alongside this role, I’m also the Head Coach for the 12s and 18s Girls teams at Antelope Volleyball Club in Kearney, Nebraska. With the 12s, I focus on building strong fundamentals and fostering a love for the game, while with the 18s, I guide them through advanced strategies to prepare for college-level competition.

Before joining AVC, I coached the 17U and 18U boys’ teams at Ottawa Fusion in Canada, where we significantly boosted our Ontario Volleyball Association rankings, even earning a top spot nationally. In 2023, I worked with elite U Sports and NCAA athletes at the Varsity Training Center, designing performance-based training plans to refine their skills. In 2021, I joined the coaching staff at Delaware State University for a memorable season with the Lady Hornets, who went 26-5 and clinched the season championship.

On the academic side, I’m currently pursuing my Master’s in Teaching with a focus on History at Hastings College, building on my Bachelor’s in Anthropology & History from Carleton University. I love the blend of history, education, and sports, and I’m always looking to integrate my studies into my coaching to better support my players.

Aleena has 15 years of competitive volleyball experience and is a current member of the UNK Volleyball team (DS/Libero). Aleena was the starting Libero at Southwest Baptist University for her first two years of collegiate play (overall 4.5 digs/set and 96% serve receive) prior to committing to play for UNK. Aleena is from Kansas City, MO where she was a 4-year high school Varsity starter, where she played outside of her primary position of Libero as an OH / Setter as a 6-rotation player with 684 kills, 267 aces, 97.5% serve receive and 3.6 digs/set in a non DS role.

Throughout her high school volleyball career, Aleena was honored multiple times as the Player of the Match and in her first year named Varsity Team MVP and was the only non-senior in their district named to the All-District Team. As a sophomore, she was named to First Team All-District and was one of only four sophomores named to the Missouri All State Team, ranked 4th overall in state, hitting .346 and 5th overall in state with 399 digs. Her Junior year, she was recognized as First Team All-District, Varsity Team MVP and for a second year, named to the Missouri All State Team. As a Senior, named for a 4th year to First Team All-District as well as named to the Missouri All State Team and recognized for Exceeding 1000 Career Digs. Aleena played for the Invasion Volleyball Club, as an OH in the earlier years before concentrating on the Libero/DS role. 

"Driven by my passion for volleyball, I have dedicated my collegiate career to excelling as a player. My role as DS/Libero has taught me invaluable lessons in teamwork, leadership, and perseverance. I have developed a deep understanding of strategy, team dynamics, and performance under pressure. I am excited to combine my competitive experience with a passion for mentorship to develop skilled, confident players ready for the next level of competition, inspiring others to pursue their volleyball dreams, just as I have pursued mine. My goal as a coach is to foster a positive, growth-oriented environment where athletes can thrive both as players and as individuals. I am excited to contribute to the sport I love in this new role!"

Haedyn has been surrounded by the sport of volleyball ever since she was born. From watching her family compete to starting volleyball herself at the age of 8. She is currently a Freshman on the University of Nebraska at Kearney volleyball team and studying pre radiology technology. She’s from Grand Island, Nebraska and attended Grand Island Senior High School. During her time there she helped the Islanders reach the Class A state tournament for the first time in ten years and ended her career there with 1,308 kills. Outside of volleyball she was involved in National Honor society and helped coach a YMCA volleyball team in her free time.

She brings a background of competitive club experience from playing at VCN where her team won the 15 open national championship. She’s so excited to have the opportunity to coach club volleyball this year and share her love for the game with others. 

Breanna Shaffer is currently an assistant coach for the UNK Volleyball team. She was a 3 year starting outside hitter for Eastern Oregon University from 2018-2022. She helped EOU earn many titles including elite 8 status nationally while also tallying awards of her own. Shaffer’s junior and senior year earned the achievements of first team all-conference, all-region, and all-American outside hitter. Throughout Shaffer’s duration at EOU she posted 729 kills, 424 digs, 138 blocks, and 24 serving aces.

Shaffer started coaching club at EOVBC in rural Eastern Oregon. She coached at EOVBC for 3 years as the head 16’s coach (2018-2021). She then moved to Kennewick, Washington to continue her club coaching at Shockwave VBC as the 18’s assistant coach helping 10 of her players move on to compete at the collegiate level. (2022-2024) During that time, Shaffer also was the Varsity assistant coach at Kennewick High School. (2023) The year that Shaffer coached at KEHS, the volleyball team achieved their highest honor in the MCC placing 2nd. 

Jordan grew up in Elm Creek, Nebraska where she attended Elm Creek Public Schools and graduated in 2007. Jordan participated in volleyball, basketball, track and field and summer softball and competed at the State Tournament level in all events. After playing on the Nebraska Gold Volleyball Club her senior year, Jordan played two years of college level volleyball at North Platte Community College in North Platte, Nebraska. She was named to an All-American team both years and competed at the NJCAA National Volleyball Tournament. She graduated from UNK in December of 2011 with a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in marketing! Over the years, Jordan has coached many times of various age levels and absolutely adores sharing her passion of volleyball with girls of all ages!

Jordan now lives in Elm Creek, Nebraska with her husband and children! They own Dowhy Towing & Recovery and Wreckless Promotions. 

Lesley grew up in St. Paul, NE where she was a three sport athlete and played club volleyball for many different teams around Nebraska for 8 years. She played volleyball at Hastings College for 2 years and she has coached club volleyball for 3 years. She recently graduated with her Masters Degree in Speech Language Pathology. She enjoys playing sand volleyball, going to UNK football games, reading, exercising, and hanging out with family and friends. 

"Club volleyball was the best time of my life growing up because of all the great connections and friendships you form with many different amazing athletes and coaches that help you improve your game even more. Volleyball has always been apart of my life, so I look forward to really digging into coaching again and helping girls improve their volleyball skills and knowledge.”

Cece Beahm is a Hastings, NE native where she excelled as a three-sport athlete at Hastings Senior High. She went on to play volleyball as an outside hitter for the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where she earned All-MIAA honors and was recognized as an MIAA Scholar Athlete. Cece holds a bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences with a minor in Psychology and will complete her second degree of BSN and RN this December through the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Accelerated Nursing program.

With eight years of coaching experience in club, high school, and private lessons, Cece is entering her third season coaching at Kearney High. Her deep passion for volleyball drives her commitment to helping young athletes grow and succeed on and off the court. 

Brooklyn is originally from Campbell, NE, and went to school at Silver Lake. Being in a small school she was a three-sport athlete throughout her time there. She is beginning her second year at UNK to continue her education. She started her volleyball career in third grade and it has taught her so many lessons and life skills. She has played club volleyball every summer since junior high. Continuing her love for the sport, she has helped coach high school and elementary kids in the fall. During last club season, her 10s got first place at 5/6 of their tournaments!

"I enjoy watching kids develop their love for the sport and I want to teach them how playing is so much more than a sport. I can not wait to meet all of the families and have the opportunity to coach your kids!”

Rylee grew up out west in Grant, Nebraska. She attended Perkins County High School, and was a 3 sport varsity athlete all four years. She played volleyball, basketball, and did track. She also played on their local club volleyball team for four years. She is currently a student at UNK studying Business Administration with an emphasis in Management and a minor in Health Care Management. She plans to graduate in December of 2024. She loves hanging out with family and friends and going to any type of sporting events. This will be her second year coaching club volleyball.She has also helped with numerous volleyball camps. "I am so excited to meet everyone and get the season started!"

Halle grew up in Broken Bow NE and was a three sport athlete for most of high school and involved in multiple clubs as well. She attends UNK now and pursuing a career in education and coaching. Volleyball became her true passion because her high school coach believed in her and knew that it was the sport for her. Having that support system from a coach meant more to her than anything and she wants to provide that for her AVC club team. This will be her 5th year coaching a club team!

"I am so excited for this season and can’t wait to meet my new team and create bonds that will last forever!"

“Hello My name is Cari Callan. I was a 3 sport athlete in high school and competed at the collegiate level for volleyball and softball. I have been coaching for over 10 years and love working with athletes to share my love of the game. I am highly competitive and can not wait to help student-athletes realize their greatest potential!”

Laney grew up in Oconto, NE and went to school in Callaway. She has played volleyball all throughout high school along with basketball for a couple years. She loved playing club volleyball with her friends and has since loved getting involved in coaching. She is currently a student at UNK majoring in secondary education with an emphasis in English. She is also minoring in athletic training. Some hobbies of hers include keeping up with the Loper volleyball team, reading, and working out! This is her second year coaching club. 

"I am super excited to get involved with AVC and make some great connections with everyone! I look forward to sharing my love of volleyball with the girls!”