VB Vibe, About Us

Club "Vibe" was established in 2005 with a group of enthusiastic 15 year old players, a passionate coach, and a gym.

In both the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons, three teams in the 16s and 17's age group were created much the same way. In 2008-09, the "youngers" were added: two power
14's and one area 13's teams, making us a club with six teams. We had a blast, played some great volleyball, and wished the season didn't fly by so fast. In 2009-2010, we
obtained use of the Athenian gym and grew to 11 teams; and in 2011, 16 teams. With the addition of our 12's program in 2012, Vibe grew to 20 teams. We are proud to
provide this opportunity for the community.

We believe with our unique program, our year over year success, our coaching staff, and our key philosophies, we on an amazing ride and have become one of the top
clubs in the area. What a great game!!!!

If you are curious about the whole volleyball scene and/or VB Vibe and are interested in playing or coaching, let's talk.

About us including the coaching staff

Coach Kris

Kris Keller was "born" into volleyball. His father, Val, was the U.S.
National Women's and Men's team coach, the National Technical
Director of Canada, the National Technical Director of the USVBA, the
author of one of the first books on volleyball, the author of the National
Technical Journal, and traveled the world running coaching clinics for
the IVBF (International Federation of Volleyball).

Kris played high school volleyball in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and
club ball for the Onion Patch Volleyball Club winning the Canadian Jr.
National Championships two years in a row.

After moving to Huntington Beach, CA, Kris joined the Tiger Volleyball
Club, winning the U.S. Junior Championship that year.

Kris received a VB scholarship to the Division 1 University, SDSU,
playing setter for three years, then moving to outside hitter during
their rebuilding program his senior year.

Kris has been coaching both Soccer and Volleyball for 13 years with
seven years in Volleyball starting with work at MVHS's JV program in
2005. In 2005-2006, the volleyball club Vibe was established with its
first 15-1 Power team.

In the Fall of 2006, Kris accepted the position of JV coach at Bentley
School in Lafayette. In 2007, he took over their women's varsity
program and has coached there yearly since.

Kris now runs club Vibe, coaches a couple of teams, runs many of
the practices, organizes clinics, cheers for everyone, and just loves
the game.

Jeff Mayfield

This is my seventh season working for the Club VIBE. Year after year, I
look forward to continuing the Program’s mission to guide young players
in a nurturing environment, and provide everyone with a fun and
challenging volleyball experience during the off-season.
I feel that club play is a time when young players can work on skills that
they would like to improve upon in preparation for in-season play. I also
believe that equitable play time yields results for more players on the
team. Anyone on the Jeff's team can expect to play in every game
possible, and work on specific skills during practice and open gym.

Trevor Abbott

Coming from a volleyball family that includes my sister, a past 4-year
player and captain for the Yale Women’s Volleyball team, my own
volleyball experience includes starting for three years on my varsity high
school, Harvard-Westlake's volleyball team where we finished high in CIF
South Section Division 1 playoffs every year earning national recognition.
While in high school, I also played on top-ranked club volleyball teams
since I was 15, earning a silver medal at the 2006 National Junior
Olympics in the Open Division with Santa Monica Beach Club and
finishing with Synergy Volleyball Club. I have been fortunate enough to
have numerous notable coaches, from Pepperdine Championship
players to UCLA assistant coaches that have developed my
understanding for the game tremendously. Although I was recruited by
several NCAA Division 1 and 2 teams, I ended up attending UC Berkeley
and have played two seasons with the Men’s volleyball team. Currently I
am a volunteer practice player for the UC Berkeley Women's team and
play against them in practice several days a week. This experience has
allowed me to witness women's volleyball coaching and development
first hand at its highest levels. In reference to coaching experience, while
at Berkeley, I have been a volunteer assistant coach with California
Volleyball Club whenever possible and helped out with the middle school
teams while I was at Harvard-Westlake. Socially, I have been a member
of various sports teams and more recently, joined the Sigma Alpha
Epsilon fraternity. This has helped develop my public persona and
appreciation for teamwork, which I feel I would effectively use to develop
younger players both on and off the court. My passion for both the game
and enriching these players experiences would be evident at every game
and practice.

I first discovered a passion for volleyball
while playing in high school in Southern
California. Over the past 8 years I have
been dedicated to helping build the
volleyball program at Bentley School in
Lafayette, where I teach Spanish and
coach the girls’ JV and boys’ Varsity
volleyball teams.

Our Philosophies
Trying to simplify this complex yet interesting sport, we continually evolve key elements of our club's philosophy and incorporate
these in every practice, game, and off-the-court activities.

Four key elements of our philosophy are:
1) Create a Love for the game
2) Develop every player to her highest potential with excellent technique and competitive opportunities
3) Provide the maximum on-the-court play experience as possible
4) Create a enjoyable environment for the players, their parents, and the coaching staff

Other elements of our philosophy are:
a) Get and stay physically fit and healthy
b) Excellent communicate, both on and off the court
c) Play your best over winning, but with winning in mind
d) Create a safe environment for learning life's lessons
e) Create some great memories

Some misc Club Fundamentals:
1) Teams will consist of only nine players in the majority of cases unless additional players for Elite teams are necessary.
2) Many practices will be in "clinic style" format introducing individual skills then implementing these skills in competitive games
3) Parents of players are welcome to become coaches.
4) We will play in many tournaments, but not them all, giving everyone a chance to have some life outside of volleyball.
5) We will communicate more than any other club in the region.
6) Get to practices on time. Finish on time.
7) Try your best....players, parents and coaches. We are all learning
8) Pictures are fun. Take them, share them.

Rodney Van Winckel

I developed a passion for volleyball during college and expanded it as
an adult by competing in both indoor 6-man and grass doubles
venues.   Top finishes for my teams were 1st place in the Men's
A-Gold Division at the NCVA Regional's (Indoor) and 4th place in
Men's A-Gold Grass Doubles National Championships.   As a player, I

relied on mental preparation and technique to gain an advantage.
As a coach my goal is to pass on those same qualities to my players.

I am dedicated to developing each player by providing evaluations,
concrete steps to improve, and lots of encouragement. Our practices
will be fast paced, challenging and fun which will result in increased
competence and confidence.

I have 7 years of youth coaching experience in volleyball and soccer
and have completed my CAP I, IMPACT and NHFS certifications.
Volleyball has brought me tremendous joy.
I hope to nurture and grow that same joy in your daughters.

Pictures of everyone soon!!!!

Our coaching Staff....YEA!!!!

JJ Utchen

As a player:

Volleyball Magazine High School Fab 50 1978 and 1979: All
League, volleyball 4 years; basketball 4 years; All Section:
Volleyball 2 years, basketball 3 year's. Club Sac: Final 4 finish in
1978, 1979, 1980 at Junior Nationals. .Stanford University: starting
setter freshman year; starting middle blocker sophomore-senior
years. Block "S" award for 4 varsity letters and
g.p.a.Club Cecina, Italy;starting opposite 1986 in Italian Pro A2
league Northern California Grass Mixed Doubles Season
Champion 1985.USVBA Open Level player;1981-2001

As a Coach:

U.C. Davis women's team - interim head coach 1985U.C. Davis
men's team: head coach 1986-1988;(two final four appearances at
D-2/club nationals in Maryland and Texas).San Ramon Valley
High;head varsity coach 1995-1997.San Ramon
Soccer;2001-2007.CYO basketball:;2005-2009.Bishop Ranch
Bandits AAU basketball:;2009.Certifications: USVA Cap Level 2
coach, Women's Basketball Coaching Association Member
(WBCA) WBCA Level I coach Positive Coaching Alliance Member
(PCA)Camp/Clinics:Coach at UC Davis volleyball camp
1978-1981.Director of UC Davis volleyball camp 1982-1988.USVBA
Clinician 1981-1990.

Junmin Chang

Played Jr High and HS volleyball in western Pennsylvania; part of
couple state championship teams
Played Div 1A volleyball at the University of Pennsylvania; outside
hitter and starting setter for most of those years
Volunteer skills coach at Northgate HS for several years
Volunteer assistant coach with local volleyball club

Various volunteer roles, including asst coach, age group
coordinator, team treasurer, etc. with Mustang Soccer League
throughout the past 11 years.

Mike Hertel

I grew up playing volleyball on the beaches of San Diego. I have been
playing volleyball now for over 35 years and continue to play in adult
leagues and tournaments. I graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
with a degree in Ornamental Horticulture.I met my wife Louise at Cal
Poly, we have two kids Peder and Emma.I moved to the bay area in 1986
and started Native Sons Landscaping inc , which I still own today.
I began coaching CYO Basketball 9 years ago and have coached CYO
Volleyball for three years. Last year was my first year coaching at the club
level. Coaching for Vibe has been a wonderful experience and I look
forward to being a part of Vibe for many years to come.

Jon Tolentino

Jon has been involved with volleyball for more than 21 years. He
played for Foothill College and San Jose State University as an
Outside Hitter. At SJSU, he obtained a B.S. in Mechanical
Engineering with post-grad studies in the area of Reliability
Engineering. At Juniper Networks, he was a member of the first
Engineering Team to design the network router, powering the
Internet as we know today.

Throughout his career, he has been coached or has played with
some Bay Area Masters: Kirk Andersen, IVL President and a
founder of Burgess Volleyball Club; Phil Melese, AAA Beach and
considered a NorCal best; Craig Lauchner, Stanford All-American
Setter and former US Olympic Team member; and Martin Umeh,
UOP star and President of the Club Sport Volleyball Program.
Recently, Jon has won a Gold Medal at the 2011 TCAAT California
State Volleyball Tournament, placed 1st in the INC NorCal
Tournament, and competed in the 2011 US National Volleyball
Open.

As a Coach, he played and led the Church of Christ Men’s Team to
5 Northern California Tournament 1st Place finishes. Coaching the
Women’s Team, he has led them to 3 1st place finishes. In the
California State-wide Church of Christ Tournament, he coached the
Women’s Team to a 2nd place finish, losing only to Southern
California in a competition that fielded 30+ Teams. In that same
tournament, the Men’s Team took 1st place in a memorable
15-13 final set victory. Currently he is in his 2nd year at Valley
Christian, running the volleyball program and coaching the
Women's Varsity Team. In the 2010-11 season, the Junior High
Team took 1st place in League, JV had the best league record, and
Varsity made it into NCS. The 18-1 Power Vibe Team made it into
the NCVA championships.

Lindsey Otsuki

I played Varsity volleyball at Northgate High
School for three years. I played club for
Diablo Valley Volleyball Club, Odyssey, and
East Bay Jrs. My last year playing on East Bay
my team made it to the Junior Olympics and it
was an amazing experience. I have
previously coached two summer volleyball
camps and this will be my first year coaching
at Volleyball Vibe. My goal for coaching is to
create a fun and lively atmosphere with a
team dedicated to improving their skills, team
work, and strategies. I hope to give my
players the necessary tools to become the
best individual and team players they can be.

.Maureen Wright

coaching at Vibe and hopes to instill the love of volleyball to the
coaching at Vibe and hopes to instill the love of volleyball to the
players while teaching them the fundamentals of the game.
players while teaching them the fundamentals of the game.

Maureen comes from a Military family and is originally from the East
Coast. She moved to California in 1983 and graduated from
Independence High School in San Jose. She then attended San
Jose City College where she played Volleyball for the Jaguars.
Maureen then Transferred to San Jose State University and
Graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development.

Over the years Maureen has been involved in Volleyball at various
levels. After playing College Volleyball she continued to play on a
variety of adult league teams. She has taught adult volleyball
classes and coached High School as well as assisting at a
Summer US Olympic Development camp.

Maureen began her High School coaching career as the Head
Varsity coach at St. Lawrence Academy in Santa Clara. After a 2
year stint, she took her talents to Wilcox High School in Santa
Clara. She is currently the Head JV Coach and the Assistance
Varsity Coach at Valley Christian High School where she helped
guide the Vikings to a JV League Championship and a Varsity
appearance in the North Coast Section playoffs quarter-finals.

******* Coaching assignment ******
The coaching assignments for the 2012-2013
season are being worked.

Andrew Oh

Having grown up in the East Bay, I have been involved in the local
volleyball community for the last 10 years.

While playing at California High School for four years, our program was
highly successful, as we made NCS playoffs all four years. I continued
to participate in several volleyball leagues year-round while attending
UC Davis. Since graduating, I continue to play in leagues and
tournaments with both current and former college club-level and NCAA
players.

Athenian for the following club season. Because I was enjoying it so
much, I even squeezed in time to help coach the Monte Vista boys’ JV
Medal Squared clinic where I received world-class training from some
team for their Spring 2011 Season. I am always looking to grow as of
both a student and teacher of the game, and I recently attended a Gold
Medal Squared clinic where I received world-class training from some
of the top coaches in the volleyball world. As this upcoming season for
this sport.draws nearer, my hope is that I will not only work to maximize
the playing potential of each player, but also help instill a lifelong
passion for this sport.

Nick Vleisides

He was the Women's Varsity Coach at Palo Alto High School during the
first half of the 90's and consistently led his team to CIF playoffs each
year. Before coming to Paly, Nick also coached Women's Junior Varsity
at Gunn High School in Palo Alto for several years. Nick grew up in San
Clemente , CA playing beach volleyball but it wasn't until he began
teaching and coaching in the public schools back in the 80's that he
began enjoying coaching volleyball. "Volleyball is a great game. A great
game to watch. A great game to play. A great game to coach. I love
teaching skills and developing players. I believe the key for young
players is footwork, passing and serving. The rest of the good stuff
blocking and strategy. I love working with parents and view my
relationship with them as being as important as the relationship I have
with the players. At the end of the day we should all be having some fun"
Nick serves in the community as a chaplain working with local law
enforcement, the fire service and the community at large. enforcement,
the fire service and the community at large.

Gregg Eisenberg

I am a graduate of San Jose State, a father of two daughters and recenlty
celebrated my 15th anniversary with my wife, Eileen. Before moving to
San Ramon, I spent 4+ years in Utah where I coached my daughter in
volleyball, basketball and soccer at St. John the Baptist. Working with
new players, I focused on the fundamentals, teamwork and building a
love for the game. I look forward to working with the great Vibe staff to
create a fun atmosphere of learning and competitive spirit.

Eric Andersen

I have many years of experience playing volleyball including a few trips
to nationals including on an 18-under team in the 70's.
I have a couple years of formally coaching juniors volleyball in the 80's
for the tri-valley teams that used to practice at Camp Parks where we
also qualified for Junior Nationals.
I have also coached for softball, climbing, and golf and generally work
on player development.

My philosophy is practice/repetition and gradual change.
Start and continue by finding one thing that will help each player improve.
Give them some method of measuring their progress so they can see
the improvement to get their buy-in for the next change.
When the players can see and feel themselves getting better they have
a lot more enthusiasm for the repetitions required to lock the skills into
their game.
The more they can do without thinking about it, the more they can
concentrate on the next level of skill.
If you have your approach and multiple swings you can concentrate on
where the defense and the block are and make a better hitting
decisions.
The same is true for defense, when you know you have the shots to pick
up the ball and how far you can cover, you can focus on the attack and
move deliberately to make the play already knowing how they will play
the ball, not wondering "if" you can make the play.

I have been playing volleyball for almost 40 years and have competed at
every level in every position, so I know the game well and am fairly good
at passing that on to players.

My oldest daughter played a year at Granada in Livermore.

Johnny Tran

I have been involved with volleyball for about 9 years now. I
graduated from College Park High school in 2006 where I played
both as a setter and a defensive specialist. I also played one year of
club with Diablo Valley as a setter. I attended UC Irvine where I
majored in economics. During my time in college I played for the UC
Irvine Men’s Club Volleyball team as a libero, defensive specialist,
and serving specialist. I believe playing collegiate club volleyball has
given me valuable experience by allowing me to play against other
high level teams from all over the country. I am currently going into
my second season as a coach for Vibe and I could not be more
excited. I am very passionate about volleyball, whether I am playing
or coaching, it is a huge part of my life. I am a firm believer in the
work hard play hard motto. I believe working hard in practices and
matches will pay off. You have the most fun when you are playing at
your best!

Mary Brennan
I have been coaching girl’s volleyball for the last eight years at
both the Middle School level and Club. This will be my third year
of coaching at Vibe. I developed a love for the game playing 2-
man beach volleyball in Manhattan Beach in the Los Angeles
area. I recognize that new and better techniques are constantly
being developed in this sport and do my best to stay abreast of
any changes in philosophy or teaching methods. I believe in
teaching the rules, proper techniques, and offense/defense
strategies in the game of volleyball while developing each player
specifically to reach their greatest potential in the position that
best suits them. In addition, I hope to instill a spirit of team effort
and camaraderie. I believe if our players end the season with a
strong knowledge of the game, an understanding of proper
techniques, a boosted confidence, and an overall good
experience, I have accomplished my coaching goals. I am still
an active player in an adult league in Benicia on Monday nights..

Coleen Brennan

Varsity on my high school team. This year I begin a new chapter
of my volleyball career. I will be the assistant to the 14-1 power
team and can’t wait to start strategizing and working with the
girls! I have been afforded some of the greatest learning
opportunities from some great coaches in my playing career and
I am anxious to take all the best from each of my past coaches
and make a difference in these athlete’s lives and make a
difference in these athlete’s lives.

Cameron Kosbab

Cameron Kosbab is a senior at UC Berkeley studying Civil Engineering
from Orange County, California. He has played volleyball since he was
12, playing for Balboa Bay Volleyball Club ever since. While playing for
Balboa Bay, Cameron's teams won the gold medal at the USAV Junior
Olympics tournaments his 16s and 18s years. Cameron was fortunate
enough to be coached by volleyball greats and current USAV Men's
National Team coaches John Speraw and Alan Knipe.

Outside of club volleyball, Cameron also played for Woodbridge High
School Varsity for four years. His team made CIF-SS all four years,
reaching the semi-finals his sophomore year and the quarterfinals his
senior year. Currently he is playing on the Cal Men's Club Volleyball
team as a starting outside hitter.

Cameron coaching experience includes coaching boys 16s at Balboa
Bay Volleyball Club during Summer 2009 and 2010 and at the Summer
Vibe clinics. Cameron hopes to spread his volleyball knowledge as a
coach for Vibe.

Eden Kenny

I am an outgoing and fun loving person who first discovered how much I
loved the sport of volleyball when I was vacationing with my family in
Mexico the summer before I started high school. I played throughout high
school, and I still play recreationally ever chance I get. I started coaching
with Vibe during the Fall Ball Clinics and look forward to working with the
14's as well as the other coaches within this organization.

Volleyball has helped me grow as a person, and I hope it will do the
same for you.

I am currently a student at DVC.

Alec Hamlin

I'm a graduate of Nevada Union High School and I have been the
assistant coach on both soccer and lacrosse teams. I played volleyball
and fell in love with the game and now am interested in combining my
coaching skill with Volleyball. I enjoy teaching my players the
fundamentals of each skill and how to put these skill into use in their
position on the court. Great techniques leads to success on the court,
success on the court brings a lot of fun. I also look forward to bringing a
fun and lively spirit to practices and tournament.

Nick is a returning coach from last
year and also coached the San
Ramon Valley High School Frosh
Women's team this past season
(2011). Nick is getting back in to
coaching after a long hiatus since
his daughter has taken an interest
in playing volleyball.