Club Director

Daniel Arrington

16 Regional

Heather Newman - Head Coach

This is Heather's first year coaching club volleyball. She is excited to bring her passion and knowledge of the sport to the girls of East Side Blaze. She recently graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University and played volleyball there as well. She received 2 All-American honors, All-Region, and Player of the year for the PacWest Conference.

Elizabeth "Bizz" Evans - Assistant Coach

Hi, my Name is Elizabeth Evans! I'm excited to be coaching this season with East Side Blaze. I graduated from Basha High School in 2009 after playing Varsity Volleyball for 2 years, coached by Coach Kann. Upon graduation I accepted a Volleyball scholarship to Chandler Gilbert and played as the starting setter until 2011. My husband, daughter, and I reside in Chandler, AZ and love being part of the Chandler community. I'm looking forward to a great season that will be both challenging and rewarding for us.

14 National

Lindsay Goodman-Simkins - Head Coach

My life on the court began at age 12. I played club for 7 years and was on Varsity team for 3 years at Queen Creek High School and Westwood High School. I went on to play at Scottsdale Community College. I started 2 years there as an Outside Hitter. My team won the Conference Championships and also went to Nationals where we placed 5th in 2004 and 3rd in 2005. I started coaching club in 2006. I have enjoyed sharing my love and passion for the game with my players and seeing them develop into competitive athletes. Working with young athletes has been so rewarding to see their confidence grow in developing their talents. I have had coaches throughout my career be incredible mentors who instilled discipline, hardwork, and the importance of a team that I hope to pass on to my players.

My time outside the gym is focused on my family (I have 4 kids- 3 girls and 1 boy) who keep me busy and make life so sweet!

Kennedy Erickson - Assistant Coach

My name is Kennedy Erickson, I am a senior at Highland High School! I have played volleyball since 7th grade, and both my parents played in high school and college so it has been in the family. I made JV as a freshmen, and this is my third year on varsity; I am a captain this year. My sophomore year my school sand team was state runner up, that was the first year of sand volleyball at Highland. This is my first year coaching and I cannot wait to come close to these girls, work hard, win, and have some fun!

15 Regional 2

Luisa Niu - Head Coach

I having been playing volleyball since I was 11 years old. I played at Desert Ridge High as a 4 year varsity letter athlete from 2006-2009 under Coach Patricia Melfey. I have learned most of my work ethics and skills from Coach Melfey. I was fortunate to play for MCC my Freshman year and red shirted my sophomore year and continued to play for CGCC with Coach Vee Hiapo. During my volleyball career I have experienced heartaches, triumphs and learned to overcome my weaknesses, in result made myself better on the court and in the classroom. I have been coaching club ball to young athletes for 3 years and found great joy in teaching them the hardwork and discipline to advance their hopes and dreams to carry on their passion into the next level. I look forward to this season and training young athletes become a stronger volleyball athlete.

Gabby Emery - Assistant Coach

Club Director

Mareen Hunzeker

11 Regional

Rachel Stones - Head Coach

Rachel Stones began coaching in the mid-nineties. Since then she has coached eleven years of club, nine years of school ball (ranging from junior high to varsity), and more summer camps and clinics than she can count. In her college days, Rachel helped her Brigham Young University team to two conference championships and two “Elite Eight” appearances in her junior and senior years. She played professionally in Europe for a season before moving to Arizona.

Autumn Ethington - Assistant Coach

Autumn is so excited for her first year here at Blaze! Coaching club volleyball gives her the opportunity to combine her two greatest passions, volleyball and teaching. Her love of the sport began early, and continued through high school where she was captain of her team, and voted MVP, Athlete of the Year, and selected for the All star team. She was recruited by Cal State, and after her red shirt year, played for them on a 4 year scholarship. She has coached a range of teams and players for the last 21 years, including Club and High School teams. Autumn’s
coaching style is extremely technical, as she knows good technique is the foundation to a great player, and will only benefit you if you learn it young!

16 National

Ryan Given - Head Coach

I am an Arizona native and grew up in the east valley. I began playing volleyball in high school at Red Mountain and went on to ASU. After college, I began coaching boys volleyball in California and was brought up coaching under some high level coaches. From there I decided to move on to girl's volleyball, where I have coached high school varsity and junior varsity. I have been coaching in the club scene for close to 8 years and main goal is to push my teams to their highest potential possible. I have coached many girls along the way who are now college athletes, and this is truly what I find to be the most enjoyable part of my job.

Madi McBeath - Assistant Coach

I’m an Arizona native with family from Illinois, I have a little sister and an adorable dog named Hogan. I graduated from Williams Field High School in 2015, where I played volleyball all four years, though I have been playing since the 5th grade. While there, I was a member of the National Honor Society, Go Green Club, and wrote for the school newspaper. I played club at Blaze and am looking forward to returning as a coach! Currently, I’m pursuing a psychology degree at Arizona State University.

Coaching Director

Wade Tanner

Coaching Director for 15 and up teams.

Coaching Director

Rebecca Madrid

Coaching Director for 14 and under teams.

15 Regional 1

Matti Tygret - Head Coach

This is my second year coaching at Blaze, and 4th year of coaching club volleyball. I'm a Williams Field High School alumni, and played volleyball all 4 years of high school and college. Currently, I'm a nursing student at ASU, graduating in December, 2016. I'm looking forward to a great season!

Rebecca Madrid - Assistant Coach

Rebecca has been coaching volleyball for 9 years as a Coach, Club Director, and High School Athletic Director. She earned her IMPACT certification in 2009 and is a current member of the USAV Arizona Volleyball Association and AAU Volleyball. This is her fourth year coaching with Blaze. Prior to relocating with her family to Arizona in 2012, Rebecca served as both the director and head coach of the City Teams and Juniors programs at Carolina One Volleyball Club. In addition, Rebecca also served as the Athletic Director and Head Varsity Coach for Blue Ridge Christian Academy in South Carolina. Currently, Rebecca lives in Queen Creek with her husband and 4 children. During the off-season of Club, she is actively involved with the Rec Leagues here at the Barn and is committed in coaching young athletes in the fundamentals of the sport while inspiring a passion for the game.

13 Regional

Curtis Stones - Head Coach

Curtis Stones has coached volleyball for high school boys varsity, junior varsity, club, and for numerous camps and clinics. He was a member of Mesa High School’s first boys volleyball team and continues to enjoy playing. Curtis started playing volleyball as a middle blocker in high school. After graduation he learned to play outside hitter, right side, setter, and libero. While coaching, Curtis tries to bring different perspectives to his players. Volleyball is special to him because he met his wife on the court.

Joleen Martin - Assistant Coach

Hi, my name is Joleen Martin and I am excited to be coaching another year.This will be my 4th year with East Side Blaze, but I have been coaching off and on for almost 20 years. My number 1 rule as a coach is that you must love the game. That is my goal, to help every player I coach love the game, improve their skills, and gain a good work ethic. I live in Queen Creek with my husband of 22 years and my three teenage daughters. My daughters have all grown up playing volleyball in High School and club. I am looking forward to this season and to be working with the younger players.

18 National

Head Coach: Wade Tanner / Buck Pear

Assistant Coach: Daniel Arrington

12 National

Stefany Pew - Head Coach

Volleyball has been my life since I can remember. I was a gym rat growing up while my 2 older sisters played. When I was old enough, I started club right away and never looked back. I had a lot of success as an athlete, including a state title for my High School team in 1998, as well as a Conference championship for my college team in 2001. After my Sophomore year in college, I decided to stop playing volleyball so I could get married and start my new life with my husband. Do I regret not finishing up my 2 last years of eligibility…sometimes! Okay, no I don't because I would do it all over again to focus on my new husband and our life together. We now have 3 amazing kids and they are the central focus of my life. But I wasn't about to say goodbye to volleyball after I got married. I immediately started coaching in 2001. I have coached numerous teams ranging from ages 8 to 18 year olds. I have also coached a couple boys teams. The highlights of my coaching career include a state title with Higley High School in 2004 and also, just last June (2016), I coached my 14's team to nationals in Indianapolis where we placed 25th overall in the nation. I am currently the head coach at Queen Creek High School and am going into my second year at Blaze. I have also coached at Club Arrowhead and AZ Storm. I have many philosophies as a coach but the one that remains the truest in my heart is: "There are no little things in volleyball". The only way teams can accomplish the big things is by doing all the little things first. I believe in hard work, dedication, sacrifice, and TEAM.

Dave Mahaffey - Assistant Coach

This will be Dave's second year of coaching here at East Side Blaze. Last year he assistant coached our 11's team and they finished 40th out of 77 teams in the Az Region. He hopes to bring the same level of passion and competition to the 12's team this year and achieve even greater goals with Coach Pew.

12 Regional

Rebecca Madrid - Head Coach

Jessica Martin - Assistant Coach

Hi, my name is Jessica Martin. I have been playing volleyball since I was about 5, so I have been playing my whole life. I grew up playing as did my two other sisters, and we gained our love for this sport at an early age. I played all through high school and have done club since seventh grade. Although I love playing, I am exciting to be on the other end coaching. I cant wait to get to know the girls I am coaching and to share my passion for the sport I love. Having been coached by so many great coaches I hope that I can take all that I have learned and pass that knowledge on to others.

2016-17 Coaching Staff

15 National

Brookelyn Hall - Head Coach

I have been playing volleyball for 10+ years. I played volleyball at a Division 1 college at Utah Valley University. I was the starting setter all 4 years. My sophomore year we won our conference and I was named setter of the year. I hold the most sets played record and the assist record at UVU. I majored in Elementary Education. I have coached club for 4 years in Utah as well as Varsity High school. My past club teams have taken first at many big tournaments. Coaching young athletes is part of my passion in life. I love to be able to pass on my knowledge and love for the game! I am married and have a 9 month old baby boy!

Daniel Arrington - Assistant Coach

Daniel has been involved with volleyball his whole life, and was usually the shortest player on the court. Being short did not discourage his will to play, in fact it increased his drive to be the best! He has a great passion for playing volleyball competitively and has transferred his passion into coaching. He is one of the founders of East Side Blaze and just this year alone has kept youth programs going at the Barney Family Sports Complex, has been the Queen Creek Middle School 7th grade coach, and the Higley High School varsity coach. He is a well sought after coach and his volleyball knowledge is very extensive. If you have any questions for him about his background, volleyball knowledge, E.S.Blaze Volleyball Club, or any other questions don't hesitate to ask him!

17 National

Kari Campbell - Head Coach

I started playing volleyball when I was in Jr High, just by chance, the high school coach was trying to get girls interested in the sport and as I walked down the hall I stood out like a sore thumb, I was super tall in the sea of Jr high kids, that was the beginning. I played all 4 years for my high school team and was named to the All-Region and All-State my Jr & Sr years. I played club ball for Utah Jr’s travel team for several years, I was asked to play middle blocker one year, it was the hardest thing I did but am so thankful that I did, it made me a better player and made me understand what a tough position it is! I went on to play 2 years at Utah Valley State College which is now UVU, I started both years that I was there as the outside hitter, I held the all-time kill record for several years until the format of volleyball changed. J After I was done playing for UVSC (UVU) I went on to play Division 1 volleyball for Ole Miss. I am now married and have 2 amazing boys, one who plays volleyball and the other who plays football. I love coaching, I love to be in the gym helping girls to improve their game and to hopefully go onto the next level. I am really excited to pass on my knowledge and love for such an amazing game.

Leah Crist - Assistant Coach

Leah Crist has been playing volleyball for 7 years now and has graduated from Desert Ridge High School in 2016. Last year she was also the assistant coach for the 12/13's red Blaze team and has played for Blaze previously in high school. Now she is currently playing at Mesa Community College as a middle blocker and hopes to play on for the rest of her college career. She plans to bring some college experience for the girls to learn from and know what they should expect at the next level.

14 Regional 2

Buck Pear - Head Coach

Buck is a 6 foot native Arizonan and has been involved in the volleyball community since he was 15. He played at MHS in high school as a middle blocker and right side hitter. After high school Buck took a break to go on a church mission and when he returned he kept involved in volleyball by participating in sand and court recreational leagues and officiating volleyball tournaments. Buck also started coaching for club and high school teams. He has coached for Club One, DHS for freshman, JV and varsity. He now coaches for Heritage Academy High School and for East Side Blaze Volleyball Club.

Tracy Miller - Assistant Coach

Tracy was born and raised in Illinois until moving to Arizona in 1999 with her family. She now has 2 wonderful daughters with her husband of 21 years. She has been playing both sand and indoor volleyball since she was 18 and also competed in a Wallyball National Championship. This is her third year with East Side Blaze.
Tracy’s goals as a coach is to help her players reach their goals and help them grow and realize their full potentials.

14 Regional 1

Roy Bryant - Head Coach

My name is Roy Bryant. I have been married for 8 years and am the proud father of almost 4 kids (2 boys and 2 girls). I graduated from ASU (GO DEVILS) with degrees in Biology, Chemistry and Spanish. I am an FA at the Polytechnic Campus for the Chemistry Department. I have been playing and competing in volleyball for 20 years. I have played on many traveling teams at different levels, and have been coaching in the East Valley for the last 13 years. My coaching philosophy is pretty simple: Work hard, give it your all, and be proud of what you can do. I love volleyball and am looking forward to another great season with Club Blaze.

Tyler Kraemer - Assistant Coach

Tyler is an Arizona native, and has been playing volleyball for the last 20 years.
Tyler has competed at many different levels, including indoor and sand volleyball and still does whenever the opportunity arises. Tyler began coaching middle school volleyball in 2009 in the Higley School District, and is now in his second year coaching for East Side Blaze.

13 National

Sarah Gagliardi - Head Coach

Sarah Gagliardi has been playing volleyball for the past 25 years. She grew up in the Seattle area where she played in junior high, high school and college. She was captain of her high school and college teams. Sarah was the assistant coach for Green River College. She also coached for SW Volleyball Club in the Seattle area.
Sarah is a wife and mother of four kind and funny kids. She also works full time as a Pre-school aide for the Higley school district.

Valerie Sherrill - Assistant Coach

Valerie has 12 years of volleyball coaching experience ranging from girls 7th grade up to Varsity boys at Campo Verde HS as well as girls and boys club teams ranging from 12U to 18U. In her coaching experience, she has been an assistant coach, head coach, and club director. Valerie played four years on varsity as a middle hitter in high school and then in college as a setter and outside hitter. After college she continued playing indoor volleyball as a libero for three years until she started playing sand volleyball. She now plays co-ed doubles with her husband and occasionally women’s doubles with her daughter . Eventually she will play with her son when he gets older (he’s only 5). To Valerie, volleyball is not just a sport it is a passion and she hopes to help your child learn all they can about the game and have the best experience possible.