Detlev Rothe - Desert Sports Center Director & Head Volleyball Coach – 16/18 National

In his sixth year coaching club volleyball in the desert, Detlev has taken club volleyball to the next level of player development and competitiveness.  As the Director of DSVC and an IMPACT certified coach he will head our National level team at the 16’s and 18’s divisions this year as well as continuing the Academy program this season.  His NCAA collegiate coaching experience at nationally ranked Cal State Hayward from 1996-2003 brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to local athletes.  Detlev has coached club volleyball in Santa Barbara, Austin TX, the San Francisco bay area, and now here in the desert for over 20 years, including multiple trips to the Junior National Championships and a bronze medal as a player.  A product of Laguna Beach High School and years of playing experience with Laguna Beach Volleyball Club and at UC Santa Barbara gives DSVC strong leadership and vision for what he believes to be an unlimited future for club volleyball in the Coachella Valley! 

Detlev also heads up our Coach Mentor Program and College Recruiting Program helping every athlete that seeks an opportunity to play at the collegiate level fulfill that goal.  Detlev moved to the desert just over five years ago with his wife Marion. The couple welcomed their first child Juliette in 2007.  Look for her on the sidelines already doing her 3-step approach!

Marion Champion – Volleyball – 14 National

A Delta Valley and bay area product, Marion brings her years of collegiate playing and coaching skills back again this year.  As an all-league and all-state player for Delta Valley College, she went on to nationally ranked CSUH where she lead the team to the NCAA tournament each year and holds the school record for kills in a single season!  Her extensive coaching experience in the bay area with national power program Delta Valley VBC, combined with her tenure in the desert combine for more than 14 years at the club level. Numerous all-tournament selections and player of the week honors during her collegiate years, plus several outdoor doubles titles makes Marion an exceptional role model for the athletes in our program.

Gary Wilhoite – Volleyball - 15 National

In his second year coaching with DSVC, Gary brings a wealth of volleyball knowledge to our program.  Last season he guided our 14 Elite team to the clubs highest League and Festival finish ever at that division. His impressive volleyball resume is chalked full of experience both as a player and a coach. His playing career started in Santa Barbara where he played high school ball with none other than Karch Kiray as they earned a state championship. Later, Gary took his skills to SBCC where he earned all state honors paving the way for his added success at UCSB. After college, he competed professionally on the 4-man beach tour. Regarded as one of the finest coaches available in club volleyball, Gary has also led the Palm Springs Indians to four league titles and continuous CIF Playoff berths in the last nine years.  Gary will hold the role of Coach Mentor in 2008/2009 as well!

Christian Seale – Volleyball – 17’s National

Christian’s volleyball background represents the quintessential southern California experience.  A product of Newport Harbor and Laguna Beach High Schools and a player at both Balboa Bay Club and Irvine Valley College, he has played for some of the finest minds in the game including Charlie Brande of Balboa Bay.  His accolades as a player include first team all-league honors and high school MVP, State Champions at IVC in 1993, and a Gold and Silver medal at the Junior Olympics for Balboa Bay and Team Rip it Up respectively.  Christian has competed on the Bud Light tour in Florida and continues to compete in AA/AAA beach tournaments on the coast.  Christian heads into his fifth year as a club coach and has already spent one year at the collegiate coaching level as lead assistant at College of the Desert in 2005.

 

Shannon Ward – Volleyball - 15’s Division

Shannon hails from Milpitas, CA and the Milpitas Juniors Volleyball program, and was a bay area native until moving to the desert five years ago.  Her collegiate career on a state playoff team at West Valley College, and then at nationally ranked and NCAA tournament regular Cal State Hayward produced a well rounded athlete who is strong at both playing and instructing every skill.  She set the single season blocking record her senior year at CSUH as a middle blocker, and enters her 11th year as a club volleyball coach, and sixth here in the Coachella Valley.  Shannon has coached our 15’s and 16’s level since joining our program, and is generally regarded as one of our finest middle blocker instructors and will show players that speed and technique can help overcome height at this key position.

Gary Barton - Volleyball - 14’s Division

One of the finest coaches and mentors in the valley, Gary Barton has more than 14 years of club and high school coaching to his credit. Gary took over the Varsity position at DVL powerhouse La Quinta High School two years ago, and led his team to the state championships in 2007. Entering his seventh year with DSVC and coming off his 11th year as a high school coach at La Quinta, Gary continues to be a player and fan favorite thanks to the love and passion for the game and the players he exhibits.  A fine player in his own right and a product of many years of volleyball experience in Santa Cruz we welcome back Gary as a coach and ambassador.

Caerwyn Evans – Volleyball – 15’s/16’s Division

Pronounced “Ki-win”, Coach Evans (if that’s easier for you) is a local business owner and highly rated beach volleyball player. Entering into his third year at DSVC, Caerwyn has worked with many of the Valley’s finest youth, and as a head coach at Indio High and as an Assistant Coach at Palm Springs High during their DVL title run in 2005.  A native of Australia, Caerwyn brings a fresh and motivating personality to DSVC and will introduce his passion and knowledge of the game to players of all levels.

Stu Rowland – Volleyball – Technical Advisor

An outstanding athlete and player in his own right, Stu Rowland is currently finishing up his third year of coaching at Desert Christian High School. Watch for DCHS to go deep into CIF playoffs again this fall as they pursue their fourth consecutive CIF title! A Right Side hitter at the collegiate level at Stephen F. Austin State University, Stu’s team finished a strong 6th place at Club Nationals on his way to earning the June Erwin Endowment for Student Coaching at SFASU.   Stu coached the women’s division I team for 3 years, earning conference tournament champions in 97’ and 99’.  Stu also coached several years at the high school level in Texas.  He and the coaching staff are looking forward to developing not only successful athletes, but also developing educated athletes who will take their experiences with them in life.

Craig Lyneis – Volleyball – 12’s Division

Returning for his second year as a Head Coach at DSVC, Craig is coming off a school record season and post-season run as Head Coach at Desert Chapel High School where they are currently 19-1!  A collegiate football player at USC (quarterback) out of high school, Craig understands competition at the highest level and what it takes to prepare to excel.  As the Top 12’s team coach last year he guided the team to an all time division ranking in USAV play for DSVC, including back-to-back-to-back tournament wins last spring.

Melissa Walker - Volleyball – 16's/17’s Division (National Assistant)

A DSVC alum, Melissa is entering into her third year coaching at DSVC.  A multi-sport collegiate athlete, Melissa has competed in both volleyball and basketball at COD. A Palm Desert High School graduate, Melissa lettered in three sports and is a great role model for all she coaches. She assisted Detlev last season with the 16 National team and will have her own team this year. Melissa is currently the JV and Assistant Varsity Coach at Xavier Prep HS, helping lead that program to what will be the schools first CIF playoff berth! A true competitor, Melissa shows the girls what it means to play with heart and conviction every time they step on the court.

 Carlos Noriega – Volleyball - 14's/16’s Division

A Utah native, Carlos returns for his third DSVC season.  Both a high school and college athlete, Carlos has coached years at his alma mater Highland HS, as well as with the highly regarded High Country Volleyball Club in Utah.  He was a first-team all-state volleyball player in high school, and was named Defensive Player of the Year his senior year on their way to winning state.  Carlos has a strong fundamental and technical background and a fantastic rapport with youth athletes, and we look forward to his work with our up and coming talent.

 Tammi Cavender – Volleyball – 16’s Division

A second-year DSVC and Indio High varsity coach, Tammi will play a limited role at DSVC this season as she prepares to give birth to her first child. An impressive coach and player, we expect to see Tammi back on the court sometime in the second half of the season. Tammi has played for some of the finest So Cal volleyball clubs, Tammi took her skills to Cypress College where she holds the single season blocking record and went on to earn her degree at UCLA where she continued to advance her volleyball training. After college, Tammi honed her coaching skills both at the high school and club levels in Orange County. Tammi moved to the desert in 2007 where she currently teaches and coaches the varsity program at Indio High.

Kristin Damberger – Volleyball – 14's Division

Kristen is entering her second-year at DSVC. As an National  club player for seven years in the Evergreen Region, Kristin competed at the national level, attending the Volleyball Festival each year and qualifying for the Junior Olympics her junior year.  After attending the University of Montana, she received her teaching credential and teaches 6^th grade at Nellie Coffman Middle School.  A strong club coach during college, Kristin is currently the JV coach at Cathedral City High School and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our youth divisions.

Jacey Olson - Volleyball – 13 Regional

Hailing from North Dakota with years of club and collegiate volleyball in her past, as well as having coached high school in ND, Jacey joins DSVC this year to coach our future superstars in the 13’s division.  Jacey is currently the Junior Varsity coach at La Quinta High School where she is also a full time teacher on staff. 

Brittany Karls – Volleyball – 12’s Division

Born in Rhode Island but a valley native since early childhood, Brittany brings her knowledge of the game as a past DSVC 18 National member and PSHS standout.  Brittany was named 1^st Team all DVL as an outside hitter and middle blocker while at Palm Spring High in 2006 under the guidance of Gary Wilhoite, and she shared in multiple league titles.  Now a Nursing student at College of the Desert, she’s excited to return to DSVC and work with our up and coming players.

Ashley Walker – Volleyball – 15’s Division

Ashley is a recent DSVC and High School grad this past spring and as a college freshman has already taken her first coaching job with the Freshman team at Xavier Prep.  An exceptional front row blocker as a player, Ashley will bring her love for the game back to the courts at the Desert Sports Center.  A 17/18 National player the past two years, Ashley’s strong work ethic makes her an excellent role model for our young athletes.

Jason Tate – Boys Volleyball Program 2009 !!!

Now in his seventh season as a club coach for DSVC, Jason will help bring boys volleyball to the Coachella Valley this year as Head Boys Volleyball Coach and Mentor.  His passion for sharing the game is unrivaled, which has set a new path in his life returning to teaching high school science in Indio a few years ago where he also coached the Varsity Volleyball team in 2005 and 2006 and returned in 2008 after a season off in 2007 to welcome his now 1-year-old daughter Alyssa into the world!

Jason’s playing experience began in Arizona where he was the team captain and MVP of his High School team and lead them to their first state playoff appearance. As a collegiate Middle Blocker at Northern Arizona University he fulfilled his goal to compete at the highest level possible.  During his years at NAU he coached the NAU women’s club volleyball team for two seasons as well.