2025-2026 153 Sapphire Coaches

COACH MAKAILA
2025-2026 153 Sapphire Head Coach
Born and raised in Oregon, Coach Makaila discovered her passion for volleyball at an early age. Makaila played club volleyball throughout high school before earning a spot on the Clackamas Community College volleyball team as an opposite hitter. After completing a Nursing degree, Makaila spent seven years coaching volleyball in Oregon, where she worked with athletes of all ages, focusing on skill development, team dynamics, and building confidence. In pursuit of new opportunities and challenges, Makaila relocated to Texas, where she is excited to continue sharing her passion for volleyball for the last two years.
Competing at the collegiate level provided her with a deep understanding of the game, advanced skills, and a strategic mindset that she now brings to coaching. Currently, Makaila is also an avid beach volleyball player, further expanding her knowledge of the game and staying actively involved in volleyball year-round. She loves the challenge of beach volleyball, and this experience allows her to bring fresh insights and strategies to indoor and outdoor training alike.
With a natural passion for developing players, Makaila is dedicated to helping athletes reach their full potential on and off the court. She emphasizes the importance of teamwork, resilience, and self-confidence, believing that a positive mindset is as crucial as physical skill. This is Coach Makaila’s third season with Austin Velocity, and she’s excited for the upcoming season!
Coach Makaila holds certifications in IMPACT, SafeSport, and Gold Medal Squared.

COACH KENNEDY
2025-2026 153 Sapphire Assistant Coach
Coach Kennedy is currently a student athlete entering her freshman year at Concordia University. Coach Kennedy is currently playing important roles on both the indoor and sand volleyball teams at Concordia University. Coach Kennedy has been playing volleyball for eight years and is very passionate about the sport. Coach Kennedy has experience playing nearly every position, which makes her suitable to coach athletes of all positions. Kennedy has always had an interest in coaching and sharing her love for volleyball with the next generation of volleyball athletes. She is excited to start her first year with Austin Velocity and join the AV family.
