2025-2026 143 Sapphire Coaches

COACH HEATHER

2025-2026 143 Sapphire Head Coach

Coach Heather brings more than 35 years of volleyball experience as a player, coach, and student of the game, along with a passion for developing confident, fundamentally sound athletes. She has competed in indoor, sand, and co-ed volleyball throughout her career, giving her a well-rounded understanding of the game and the ability to connect with athletes of all skill levels.

This will be Heather’s fourth season coaching with Austin Velocity Volleyball Club. In addition to coaching with Velocity, she serves as a Head Volleyball Coach at a public charter school and has experience coaching middle school, high school, and club volleyball. Heather is dedicated to helping athletes grow both on and off the court. Her coaching philosophy emphasizes strong fundamentals, volleyball IQ, disciplined work habits, resilience, and creating a positive team culture where every athlete is challenged to reach their full potential.

Heather brings strong leadership, communication, and player development skills into every practice, fostering an environment built on trust, accountability, and continuous growth. As a NASM Certified Personal Trainer (NASM-CPT) and Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), she also helps athletes understand the importance of strength training, recovery, nutrition, and healthy habits that support long-term athletic performance.

Heather believes great teams are built through trust, accountability, and consistent effort. Her goal is for every player to leave the season not only as a better volleyball player, but also as a more confident leader, teammate, and person.

Certifications

  • USA Volleyball IMPACT Certified
  • SafeSport Certified
  • Gold Medal Squared Certified
  • NFHS Coach Level 3 Certified
  • AOC Head Coach Level 2 Certified
  • NASM Certified Personal Trainer (NASM-CPT)
  • NASM Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC)

COACH DANIELLE

2025-2026 143 Sapphire Assistant Coach

Coach Danielle grew up in Northwest Ohio, where volleyball became a central part of her life through both high school and college. She began coaching early, while still in school, working with volleyball and even broomball teams (yes, broomball is a real sport—her teams won back-to-back championships). Those early experiences revealed her passion for coaching and the reward of helping athletes grow in skill, confidence, and teamwork. More recently, she has coached with SpikeFrog and BossFrog, and last season she served as the 132 Emerald Assistant Coach with Austin Velocity.

After moving to Austin with her husband, Justin, nearly 20 years ago, Danielle has been busy raising two kids, wrangling the family dog, and planning as many road trips as possible. Coaching remains one of her favorite ways to stay connected to the game she loves, and she is grateful every season for the opportunity to work with athletes who inspire her with their energy, effort, and love for the sport.