War Eagles strives to maintain positive, experienced coaches well educated in the latest volleyball techniques. Many of our staff have played or coached at the highest level of college and high school competition. With our new Master Coach Program, you can be confident that your player is getting professional, consistent coaching, no matter their age or team. We also have a Junior Coach program to help build the next generation of coaches. Junior Coaches are current high school players who are able to gain coaching experience by assisting the Head Coaches of the 12U-14U War Eagles teams. Our staff ranges from Junior to Assistant Coach, Head Coach, and Master Coach. Master Coaches have 5 or more years of coaching experience, with 3-years of that being with SC War Eagles.
Valerie Long, Master Coach
Executive Director
Valerie brings over twenty-five years of coaching experience to SC War Eagles. With a distinguished career as a director or co-director in clubs spanning the Carolina and Palmetto Regions, her expertise and dedication have left a lasting impact. Valerie's enthusiasm and encouragement uplift her teams, fostering an environment of growth and camaraderie.
As Club Director, she aims to expand the love for volleyball across the York County region. Her mission is to introduce players to the sport, nurturing their talents, and helping them become highly competitive forces, not just locally, but regionally and nationally as well. Together, we will build a legacy of excellence, empowering our players to become extraordinary athletes and ambassadors of the game.
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Brandon Skweres, Collegiate Master Coach
Director of Coaches
A Chicago native, Brandon played at Lewis University before spending almost a decade coaching for Illinois high school and club teams. He relocated to South Carolina where he spent 14 years as Head Coach of the Women's Volleyball program at Limestone University. Starting in fall of 2025, Skweres will be heading our Master Coach Program used to train our coaches and help create a unified culture for our club. We are very excited to have his wealth of knowledge and positive attitude as the spearhead of our performance training.
Corey Long, Master Coach
Director of Recruitment
Having played volleyball for the past 12 years along with other sports, I developed a passion for volleyball unlike any other sport. I played all front-row positions and from time to time, setter. I started assistant coaching with SC War Eagles before entering high school and am currently the head coach of our 18-1 National team.
I am a senior at North Greenville University majoring in Sports Management with a concentration in Coaching. I am an OS hitter for the men’s team. Before committing to North Greeneville, I played beach and court volleyball for Tusculum University in TN. Before that season, I played men’s club volleyball with CUVC and Stars Volleyball and received the Blue Eagle Award at Clover High School in 2023. In the 2024/2025 season at NGU, I was assistant coach to the women’s team. I assisted the College Elite program at Wofford in both 2024 and 2025. I was selected to coach a USA NDPT team, High Performance team, All-Region team, and RDP (regional development program) team for SC. This is my 7th year coaching with SC War Eagles.
I am first and foremost a trainer of every player, whether on the court with a team or in a private lesson. I have a gift to see what needs correcting and use my talents to correct techniques in a way that the player can understand and correct. I look forward to each new season to share my passion for the game.
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Chelsea Jones, Collegiate Master Coach
We are very excited to have Head Women’s Volleyball Coach & Director of Athletics at Carolina University, Chelsea Jones, returning to SC War Eagles Volleyball Club for the 2027 season. An outstanding coach, Jones recently led her Bruins to their best season in school history with a remarkable 23-9 record. For her stand-out performance, she was honored as the Carolina University Head Coach of the Year. Collegiately, Jones has guided numerous award-winning athletes, including an All-American, three All-Region selections, and five Scholar-Athletes.
A Glade Valley, NC native, Jones holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Salem College, an MBA from UNC Pembroke, and an IAA from the University of Mississippi. During her playing career at Salem, she was recognized as an All-Conference player in 2013, earned Conference MVP honors in 2012, and was named Academic All-Conference from 2011 to 2013.
Laurie Parker, Master Coach
Hello, I'm Laurie Parker, a proud Hoosier born and raised in a charming Indiana town. In 2004, I relocated to Columbia, South Carolina, after tying the knot. My family and I settled in the serene Lake Wylie area in 2019, relishing the lake life, excellent schools, and the vibrant city of Charlotte. Volleyball has been an integral part of my life since high school and college, including club ball, where I honed my skills as a setter and gained experience in the back row.
As a coach, my primary focus is to witness the girls' growth in volleyball skills, knowledge, and technique. However, what excites me most is seeing them thrive as a united team, competing fiercely, and fostering a genuine love for the game. Let's embark on this incredible journey together, as we ignite a shared passion for volleyball and empower these young athletes to reach their full potential.
Anna Bellardini, Master Coach
Director of Programs
My volleyball journey began with Asheville City Schools, and from there, my passion for the sport only grew stronger. Through college and adult clubs, I continued to nurture my skills and love for the game. For the past 5 years, I have been actively engaged as a club coach, dedicating myself to helping young athletes unlock their full potential. Additionally, I take great pride in organizing team camps for local high schools and middle schools in my hometown, sharing my knowledge and expertise with the next generation of players.
As a coach, my philosophy centers around building a supportive and trusting environment for my players. Through positivity and encouragement, I empower each individual to thrive, regardless of their starting point. My ultimate goal is to take every player to their personal best, fostering a sense of achievement and camaraderie on and off the court.
Jahni Triano, Head Coach
Growing up in the piedmont of North Carolina, I had the privilege of playing volleyball for many, many years. The sport taught me a great number of life skills, including discipline and how to work towards my goals even when it didn’t come easy. I had a great passion for the game and have since always tried to keep it as a part of my life, playing in adult leagues throughout the years.
Now as a coach, I do my very best to bring my passion for the game and my experience to the next generations of young athletes. I love this sport and I am dedicated to fostering a positive and empowering environment for my players. My coaching philosophy is deeply rooted in the belief that volleyball is a powerful tool for a players personal growth and future development. On and off the court, I work to be an advocate for young women, teaching them to be confident and fearlessly pursue their dreams. I am very proud to be part of the War Eagles organization and hope to lead players into rewarding and successful seasons now and in the future!
Rob Coffman, Assistant Coach
Director of Compliance
Prior to coaching volleyball, I coached Fastpitch Softball for 6+ years. I’ve been around the sport of volleyball for 10+ years with my two daughters. One currently playing club, and the other playing in college. As a Coach, I have a philosophy that centers around fostering an open communication environment, developing athletes’ mental management, improving their volleyball fundamentals and improving their physical strength.
I want to empower the athletes to becomes a better version of themselves, always improving, even when they feel it to be difficult. Coaching and being able to be a mentor are important to me. Professionally in my day-to-day life as a Technical Engineering Leader I coach and mentor
engineering professionals, inexperienced and experienced, to strive to become a better version of themselves. I treat coaching in sport as no different.
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Felisha Woodman, Head Coach
Coach Felisha started playing volleyball when her family relocated from Oklahoma to Rock Hill, SC. She played volleyball throughout middle school and high school. The 2027 season will be her fifth season with SC War Eagles.
"I am a firm believer that hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. My goal as a coach is to sculpt well rounded players, and individuals, who can trust themselves to make the right decisions when faced with difficult situations, both on and off the court."
Kelly Guinn, Assistant Coach
I am honored to be coaching the 13SN team this year with the War Eagles. Volleyball has always been a passion of mine - from my years playing in high school to being a dedicated club mom, and now through more than a decade of coaching school, recreational, and travel teams. This is my first season with the War Eagles organization and my fifth year coaching club volleyball.
My coaching philosophy is rooted in sharing my passion and love for the game while fostering character, strength, and resilience in each athlete. I strive to invest in every player, helping them grow both on and off the court as they develop into skilled players and confident young women.
I am truly looking forward to a successful and rewarding season with this outstanding group of athletes.
Arianna Gilbert, Head Coach
Originally from Florida, Arianna relocated to York, South Carolina, her husband’s hometown, after meeting him while he was serving in the Navy. Arianna played competitive volleyball year-round from middle school through high school, gaining experience in indoor club volleyball, school volleyball, and beach volleyball. To improve her strength on the court, she also competed in girls weightlifting in high school, where she placed second in the state.
Now entering her second year coaching with War Eagles, Arianna is passionate about helping athletes grow both on and off the court. Her coaching philosophy focuses on strong fundamentals, confidence, accountability, and creating a positive team environment where players can develop a love for the game.
Outside of volleyball, she enjoys spending time with her husband, their two-year-old daughter, and their three dogs.
Sidney Russell, Head Coach
Hi - I'm Coach Sidney. I've been involved in the volleyball community for 12 years as a player and have spent the last 3 years coaching. Volleyball has always been a huge part of my life, and I truly love the game. I played at a local high school in Rock Hill before continuing my career at the collegiate level, where I competed in both indoor and beach volleyball.
My passion for volleyball goes beyond competition—it's about helping athletes grow both on and off the court. I'm committed to giving each player the attention, encouragement, and guidance they need to develop their skills, build confidence, and reach their full potential. I believe that with hard work, dedication, and a-positive attitude, every athlete has the opportunity to improve.
I'm incredibly excited to be coaching with the War Eagles again this season and can't wait to see the growth, teamwork, and determination each player brings throughout the year. I'm looking forward to a great season and helping every athlete become the best version of themselves!
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Zaske Her, Head Coach
Hi! I'm Zaske Her, a volleyball coach and former collegiate athlete from Clover, South Carolina. I graduated from Clover High School in 2022 and played club volleyball with Carolina Union Volleyball Club (CUVC). I continued my playing career at Carolina University from 2022–2024, where I developed both my skills on the court and my passion for the game.
I also coached with Triad Volleyball Club from 2023–2024, helping athletes grow their confidence, volleyball IQ, and technical abilities. Today, I'm an Assistant Boys Volleyball Coach at Clover High School, where I love sharing my experience with the next generation of players. My goal is to create a positive, competitive environment that helps every athlete reach their full potential both on and off the court.
Payton Farrell, Head Coach
Dedicated volleyball coach with 5 years of coaching experience and over 8 years of playing experience, including several years of beach volleyball during high school. I am passionate about developing athletes both on and off the court through strong fundamentals, confidence-building, and creating a positive, competitive team environment where players can grow and succeed.
My coaching philosophy focuses on communication, teamwork, discipline, and athlete development while helping players build both skill and confidence in the game. I strive to create an encouraging atmosphere where athletes feel supported, challenged, and motivated to reach their full potential both as players and as individuals.
Melissa Romanello
Head Coach
Hi! I’m Melissa Romanello. I was born and raised in Ohio and moved to the beautiful Lake Wylie area in the summer of 2025. Coaching has been a passion of mine for years, beginning with soccer, where I coached teams to multiple first-place finishes before falling in love with volleyball.
In 2024, I served as an assistant volleyball coach at the school level, helping our team finish first in our division and second overall. Most recently, I completed a full season with the SC War Eagles as an assistant under Master Coach Laurie, where I continued developing my knowledge of the game, competitive strategy, and player development.
My coaching style is built around energy, encouragement, accountability, and confidence. I love helping athletes strengthen their skills and mental game while creating a positive, competitive environment where they can grow.
I’m proud to be part of the War Eagles family!
Samantha Bledsoe, Assistant Coach
Hi! I’m Samantha Bledsoe, and I’m so excited to be joining the SC War Eagles as an Assistant Coach this season! While I didn’t grow up in York or play for the War Eagles, volleyball has been a huge part of my life for many years. I played club volleyball in Shelby, North Carolina, and was a four-year varsity player at my hometown high school. After my playing career, I found a new passion for the game through coaching and continued my volleyball journey as an Assistant Coach at Ewing Middle School in Gaffney, South Carolina.
My coaching philosophy is simple: I want every player to know they are capable of more than they think. I believe success comes from hard work, a positive attitude, teamwork, and a willingness to learn from every challenge. My goal is to create an environment where athletes feel supported, build confidence in themselves, and develop not only as volleyball players but as young women both on and off the court. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of the SC War Eagles family, and I can’t wait to help our athletes grow, compete, and most importantly, have fun while playing the game we all love. I’m looking forward to an amazing season!
Jasper Vickers, Junior Coach
I’m Jasper Vickers, A third year War Eagle and a senior at York comprehensive High School. I found my love for volleyball at age 8 when I played for my very first recreational team. From there, I have been privileged to continue playing and learning through Middle and High school. I am a passionate player, and I am excited to share the knowledge and skills that coaches and other players have poured into me, with a younger generation of War Eagles. I am a Libero and DS and I have specialization in defense and serve receive. I can’t wait to help other players grow and learn in these and all other areas of the game. In addition to helping our players learn the and grow in their skill , my goal is to be a good mentor and example of what it takes to be great both on and off the court. I can’t wait to help lead future teams to amazing things this season.
Deborah Kamke, Junior Coach
Hi, I'm Deborah Kamke, class of 2027. I'm a senior at Rock Hill High School and play DS/libero. I've have a lot of experience through playing the game, and assisting through academies/clinics over the years. I am a very versatile player and have played every single position so I’ve gained a lot of knowledge through each skill, mentally and physically. In the future, I hope to play volleyball at the collegiate level where I can grow as a player and play the sport that I love most.
I am super excited about this upcoming season, where I hope to teach and expand the knowledge of these young players, while showing them the sport that I love most, so that they can find that passion and love just like I did. I also plan to get to know each and every player as a person and to be a good support system when navigating through difficulties or or frustrations, and then also celebrating them for their successes. I am looking forward to coaching this season and can’t wait!
Piper Woods, Junior Coach
Hello I am Piper Woods, I have played volleyball for 5 years and coached for 2 years. I have helped to run camps and coach a team at war eagles. Working with many coaches who have played in college and being coached by high tier athletes as well. I always bring energy and passion when coaching because seeing my player have fun and grow is the biggest reward!
Mackenzie Goins, Junior Coach
Hi, My name is Mackenzie Goins. I have 6 years of playing experience and 4 years of coaching experience. I have the focus to help younger athletes develop their skill and love for volleyball. I am super excited to be apart of this opportunity!
Mia Weldon, Junior Coach
Hi! I’m Mia Weldon and I am excited to assist War Eagles in coaching a team this upcoming season. I am a senior at Clover High School. I have been playing with War Eagles since 12u and am going into my 17’s season. I have been a part of the AFJROTC Unit at Clover for the past 4 years and am currently a Cadet Lt. Colonel. I hope to bring my leadership, organization and accountability into coaching as well.
I am an outside and defensive specialist, but have played every position. I look forward to working with young players and helping them find their niche on the court. I love every aspect of volleyball, from playing, watching, understanding rotations, and strategizing. I look forward to sharing that passion with others and help them love the sport too!
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Congratulations to our 2025 Coach's Award Recipients!
Corey Long
Coach of the Year
Laurie Parker
Coach of the Year
Jahni Triano
New Coach of the Year
Amy Berlak
Above & Beyond Award
Ella Hopkins, Junior Coach
Hi, I’m Ella Hopkins! I am a junior at South Pointe High School. I spent the last two years at Legion Collegiate Academy playing school volleyball. I am excited to play this year at South Pointe and to run with their cross country team as well.
I’ve been playing volleyball since 5th grade, always as a Libero/DS. After playing volleyball at Saluda Middle School in Rock Hill, I was encouraged to try out for a club team. I tried out and made the under 13 team with SC War Eagles and have enjoyed playing club ever since. All of the amazing coaches at SC Performance have made me feel so confident in myself as a player and I’ve grown so much with the help of them, that it made me want to become a coach. As a first year junior coach, I hope I’m able to do the same for other players.
As a junior coach, I look forward to getting to know all the players and help them improve to become the best players they can be. I hope to help in creating a positive environment to make all the players feel comfortable and let them know it’s okay to make mistakes because that’s what volleyball is all about, while pushing to be the best they can be and most importantly having fun.
I am so grateful for this opportunity and can’t wait for the season!
We are seeking coaches who can contribute their distinct skills and talents to our volleyball courts, guiding our athletes to unlock their full potential. While achieving victories is a priority, we equally emphasize creating an environment where our athletes not only enjoy themselves but also thrive and develop as volleyball players. We value and respect each individual within our sports community.
SIGN UP HERE: Coaches New Hire Interest Form