COACH  LORNE  SAWULA  (BPE 1967, MA 1969, PhD 1976) - Co-Founder ASPIRE Volleyball

This Sports Wall of Fame inductee is generally known as "Dr. Sawula" but for many he is called "Dr. Volleyball" for he has been called upon regularly to diagnose and prescribe treatment for volleyball programs across the country and around the world.

Lorne entered the University of Alberta in 1964 and won a spot on the Golden Bears volleyball team until 1969. During these years, the Bears won the WCIAA championship in 1965 and were silver medalists in 1967 and 1968. He earned a spot on Alberta's Canada Games team in 1967. After a brief time away from the University of Alberta, Lorne returned to coach the Golden Bears for the 1971 - 1973 seasons.

For the next two decades, Lorne travelled around the world and was lured back to the U of A in 1993, as assistant coach of the team which, in 1994-1995, won a silver medal at the national finals. Beginning in 1995, Lorne joined Laurie Eisler and the Pandas, becoming part of the superb Panda teams that produced six consecutive national titles. In 1996 he became co-coach, a position he held until 2000 when he became coach of the Canadian Women's National team.

The siren call of Canada and other countries lured Lorne to the challenge of coaching national women's teams: the Canadians (1982-1988 and 2001-2005); the Swiss (1990-1993) who won a FISU bronze medal in 1993); the Australians (1994) and the Swedes (1997-1999). He also assisted the training and development of the Costa Rican Women’s team during the 2006 World Championships in Japan. The records of few volleyball coaches can approach "Dr. Volleyball's" numerous appearances at international competitions.

Today Lorne serves Canada's volleyball communities as a Level IV Canadian Certified Coach for Volleyball Canada and also is a Level III FIVB Coach and Instructor who is in demand around the world.  

2007 - 2009       Head Coach, Great Britain's National Women's Volleyball Team

2009 - present    Volleyball coaching educator/speaker and Co-Founder of ASPIRE Volleyball

(source: University of Alberta folio - 2004)

COACH  CHRISTY  HANSEN  nee: Torgerson  (BPE 2000, BEd 2003) - Co-Founder ASPIRE Volleyball

Christy has been involved in volleyball over the past 22 years at varying capacities.

She has experience in many different aspects of volleyball including athlete (click to see playing experience), Program Director at the Alberta Volleyball Association (AVA), AVA's Jasper Volleyball Director, the University of Alberta Volleyball Camps Director, and coach.

Her love and passion of the sport continues to grow and it is important for her to stay involved and give back to the growing volleyball community.

Christy is a Consultant for Volleyball Position Camp which offers summer camps in Edmonton and Calgary.

JANNA  DUBYK  nee: Konihowski  (BEd 2006)

Since moving to Edmonton in 2000 to pursue her athletic career, Janna has competed at the National level for both Volleyball and Track & Field, and also represented Alberta at the Canada Summer Games in both sports.  Janna has coached many levels of volleyball and looks forward to helping ASPIRE athletes pursue their individual and team volleyball goals, and to helping them reach their full potential.

(click athlete/coach for more information)

MELANIE  MASSON  (BPE 2006, BEd 2006)

Since her introduction to volleyball in Penticton BC, Melanie has had numerous opportunities and successes related to the sport. She brings a wealth of athletic, coaching and program delivery experience to ASPIRE.

(click athlete/coach for more information)

TAWANA  McLEOD  nee: Wardlaw  (BPE in Sports Performance & Physical Activity 2006)

Tawana’s volleyball talent was recognized by the UofA Pandas with whom she signed as their first ever “Blue Chip” recruit. ASPIRE athletes are fortunate to learn volleyball and sportsmanship skills from this seasoned athlete and coach.

(click athlete/coach for more information)

 

 

DUSTY  FREIMARK

Dusty has been either playing or coaching volleyball for the majority of her life. She has coached over 20 teams ranging from Junior High to College and University athletes. The highlight of her career thus far is teaming up with Laurie Eisler and the rest of the Pandas coaching staff for their successful run to the 2007 CIS Championship.

(click athlete/coach for more information)

GRACHELLA  GARCIA

From early years as a volleyball player in the Philippines (on their Junior National Team), Grachella continued to hone her court skills in her high school years in Ontario, later playing for Lake Superior State University in Michigan, Cambrian College and the University of Guelph. Edmonton area athletes are fortunate that Grachella now calls Edmonton home as she has tremendous volleyball playing and coaching experience, and a great rapport with athletes.

 

   

CHELSEA  HOBBS

Chelsea has been on the volleyball court since her Junior High days. She is from Edmonton and enjoyed playing for the Grande Prairie College Wolves and Mount Royal College Cougars. Awards such as “Mount Royal College Female Athlete of the Year” (2005-2006 and 2006-2007), “ACAC First Team All-Star” (2005-2006 and 2006-2007) as well as “CCAA Academic All Canadian” (2005-2006 and 2006-2007) show that Chelsea knows that hard work and dedication to training pay off.

MIKE  LING

In 2000, Michael joined the University of Alberta Pandas Volleyball Team as an Assistant Coach and is currently continuing his work with the Pandas Volleyball program.

Mike was an Assistant Coach with the Canadian Youth National Program 2001–2002 and with the Junior National Team from 2003–2004. He was an Assistant Coach of Team Canada Women’s Team from 2006–2009 (Head Coach: Naoki Miyashita).

Mike is an expert in skill development for athletes and also is one of Canada’s leading statisticians for Data Volley, a complex data collection tool for top level teams.

(click coach for more information)

MEGGIE  MOIR

Former U of A Panda Meggie Moir (6’1” Outside/Setter) is originally from Cold Lake AB. She played one year of NCAA volleyball at Boston College before joining the Pandas. Meggie relates well to club and junior/senior high school volleyball athletes - she has won numerous club and school athletic awards in addition to playing on AB provincial volleyball teams. Meggie brings great court skills to ASPIRE and has the ability to break skills down to introduce/correct/refine their execution.

ERMINIA  RUSSO  THORPE

 

Erminia Russo Thorpe, who is presently the Head Coach of the NAIT Women’s volleyball program, has joined ASPIRE Volleyball Training as a guest coach. She is a former player with Team Canada (1986-1996), played in the 1996 Indoor Olympics, competed on the FIVB Professional Beach Volleyball Circuit and is a former coach of the UBC Women and the University of Western Ontario Women's volleyball teams.

Erminia is recognized in the UBC Sports Hall of Fame. She has served os a colour commentator for CBC in both indoor and beach volleyball Olympic coverage (2004 and 2008 Olympics). She is also a NCCP Level IV Candidate.

(click NAIT’s Coaching Staff WebPage for more information)

JENNIFER  TELFER

Jen began playing indoor volleyball at Jasper Place High School and on Edmonton area club teams. Her summers were spent playing on Team AB and in the Summer Games (1997-2001). Jen moved on to playing for Grande Prairie Regional College and then the U of A Pandas (Middle Position). Professionally she played for Engelholms Volley in Sweden (Swedish National Champion, Nordic Region Champion, and led the league in blocking 2006-07). Jen has received many accolades throughout her volleyball career.

 

Jen was Head Coach for King’s University College Women’s Team, Assistant Coach with U of A Pandas, has coached for NAVC and Pandas clubs, and has been a Team Alberta coach. She holds a B.Sc. Kinesiology, M.A. in Coaching, and is a NCCP Level III Coach. She is a Sessional Instructor at the U of A – Volleyball Introduction and Advanced Volleyball. Jen brings a wealth of knowledge to ASPIRE.

 

 

    

 

TAMMY  THOMAS

 

Hailing from Penticton BC, Tammy is a professional beach volleyball player and former indoor player with the UBC-Okanagan Lakers. Catch all of Tammy’s news at her website:  http://www.t2volleyball.com/