About Us

Our Mission

Saratoga Volleyball Club, based out of Saratoga Springs NY, provides an instructional and competitive environment to develop individual and team skills for junior volleyball players.

The club was established in 2019 and is currently comprised of a range of junior girls teams from 12U to 18U with a goal of adding junior boys teams in the future. We are a member of the Excelsior Empire Regional Volleyball Association of USAV Volleyball (USAV) and we compete in local and non-local tournaments associated with USAV, JVA, and AAU.

Our Coaches

Our coaches have competitive playing experience at the high school and/or college level. Many continue to play competitively as adults. All of our coaches are SafeSport and IMPACT certified as required by USA Volleyball.

Coach Rob played 3 years of high school volleyball at State College Area High School (PA), 2 years as a varsity middle blocker. During this time he also played for the Nittany Elite Volleyball Club, part of the KRVA region of USAV. Rob attended Penn State where he studied nuclear engineering and played club volleyball before getting his first coaching job coaching junior varsity boys' high school volleyball for 3 years and assisting with the varsity team. After graduating, Rob continued to play competitively with USAV adult mens' teams, attending the USAV Open National Championships twice, and winning the Men's B Division in 2013. Rob started coaching with the Saratoga Volleyball Club in 2018 and has coached 15U, 17U, and 18U teams during that time. Rob took over as club director and re-established the club in 2019.

I’m Coach Christine, I grew up in Western New York and started playing volleyball both club and school in 7^th grade. This is where I learned to love everything about Volleyball. I went on to continue to play 2 years at a Junior College. After Junior College I married my best friend and we had two children together Kaleigh and JP. I should thank Kaleigh for giving volleyball a try in 7^th grade because that is what ultimately brought me back to the game. When she started club last year (2021) with Saratoga Volleyball Club there was a coaching opportunity, so I decided to jump in headfirst. While I wasn’t always confident in coaching one thing was apparent; I missed being around volleyball. I was so happy to have it back in my life. As I enter my second year of coaching I am excited to see what this year brings. In addition to teaching the game I hope to foster a lifetime love for the game.

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Coach AJ grew up in Monroe Michigan where he was a three sport athlete in Football, Swimming, and Tennis. While in High School, he also volunteered coaching youth sports at the 10U levels for swimming and tennis. He then attended University of Michigan, studying Nuclear Engineering and continuing to play intermural sports (volleyball, water polo, broom ball, ultimate Frisbee, and soccer). After moving to Virginia Beach in 2009, AJ picked up playing Beach Volleyball and Indoor Volleyball as a year round sport. He began coaching for the club in 2021-2022 at the 14U level. AJ’s primary goal is always to create solid athletes, with the right mental toughness and focused demeanor needed to perform at their best. Players who play for AJ will likely get sick of hearing him say: “Have Fun, Hustle, Be a good teammate, and learn something new every day.”

Hello I’m Coach Lindsey and I grew up with my three sisters, mother and aunt that all played volleyball. While having a volleyball rich environment, I started playing at the age of 11 on an organized club team. I continued to play on many club teams throughout my career from Lakeside to Northeast Thunder. I also played on Galway’s modified, JV and varsity team, I started on varsity my freshman year and was named first team all state for class D in 2016. Throughout my role as captain on the varsity team I grew to love to teach people the tips and tricks for volleyball. This led to a deep passion and love of teaching people how to learn volleyball from the basics. As a coach I have coached a total of three club seasons in the past 5 years, ages ranging from 14u-18u. My favorite part about being a coach is watching the players progress mentally and physically throughout the season.

Coach Emma was born and raised in Saratoga Springs. She began playing volleyball in 7th grade. She then played all the way through high school and during this time she played club as well. Emma was a part of many different clubs, such as the Saratoga Thoroughbreds, Sporting Albany, and Lakeside. In the off-season, she kept up her skills with outdoor tournaments every weekend. Ultimately, Emma was recruited to play at SUNY Delhi as a setter. During this time she received a bachelors in Information Systems Auditing. Currently, she works as an Accounting Manager for a collectible toy company while completing her Masters Degree! Emma became a coach for Saratoga Volleyball Club in 2023 for 14u, and is currently coaching at the 15u level. Emma enjoys watching players' skills and knowledge of the game improve throughout the season. She tries to create a fun and comforting environment. She believes that all players are capable of excelling at all positions and encourages them to venture outside of their comfort zone! Emma also enjoys playing video games and shopping!

Coach Jenn grew up in the Adirondacks playing soccer and volleyball, four years as a setter at the varsity level. Jenn recently returned to volleyball when her children started playing, realizing she definitely missed the court! She spent two years as an assistant coach at the 12u and 14u levels at Saratoga VBC and coached 13u last year. Jenn enjoys teaching fundamentals and watching players grow. Her favorite volleyball quote which she believes can be transferred into a life lesson is, “Always try to better the ball.” Jenn also enjoys downhill skiing and traveling with her family.

Coach Laura grew up locally about 40 minutes west of Saratoga. She played volleyball in high school on the JV and Varsity teams. Once graduating high school and pursuing her music and education degree at SCCC she started teaching at a school for children with Autism. She continued to play in adult rec co-ed volleyball leagues in the Burnt Hills and Schenectady area. She played in many local tournaments throughout the past 20 years until settling down to raise her family. She came upon the opportunity to coach while chatting with her neighbor Rob (club director) about wanting to get back into volleyball locally in the Saratoga area. She started coaching in 2022 and is in her 3rd year coaching 12U. She loves instilling the love of the game in our beginner players and looks forward to watching them flourish.

I'm Coach Landa, I recently moved to NY from NJ. In NJ, I started as a beach 2s player, after all, I am from "Down the Shore". ; ) My feet eventually put themselves in sneakers on a solid court, then I added a clipboard in my hand and "Coach" on the back of my shirt, and finally a whistle in my mouth standing on a perch. I am thrilled to join the Saratoga Volleyball Club! I hope to fill the season with some fun memories and lots of learning. I have been involved in volleyball for 35 years and I'm still loving and learning the game! "I never lose. I either win or learn. - Nelson Mandela

Coach Josh grew up in Oswego, NY and played three years of volleyball (one year JV and two years Varsity) at Oswego High School. He attended college at SUNY Oswego and Clarkson University; studying Environmental Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, respectively. While at college, he played 4 years of Club volleyball; two years at SUNY Oswego and two years at Clarkson. After graduation, he moved to Virginia for work as a Water/Wastewater Engineer and began playing indoor and grass volleyball, playing in local leagues and at AVP tournaments. Josh moved back to NY in 2023 to be closer to family and began coaching for Saratoga Volleyball Club in 2024. This is his first opportunity to coach volleyball but he is excited for the opportunity to grow the sport and teach the next generation of athletes.

I'm Coach Mike. I played soccer most of my life. I picked up volleyball about 8 years ago, playing with my cousin in open gyms. The sport is so addicting, I really took interest in it and began playing in leagues, tournaments, adult club teams where teammates and others worked with me and taught me the in and outs. This will be my 3rd year coaching, I just love being around the sport and sharing my knowledge and seeing people enjoy the sport and improve their skills while also learning and improving myself. I still play in my free time and just got certified and began refereeing volleyball this year as well. I'm thankful for this opportunity and looking forward to another great season with Saratoga VBC!

Hi I’m Ella! I started playing volleyball in 7th grade, and have been playing ever since! I played for Saratoga volleyball club for six years; my entire career. I play in the sand in the summer, and indoors in the winter! I am a commuter student at Siena college, I am studying psychology and criminal justice with hopes of becoming a lawyer. I also ride horses, I’m on the team for Siena! I assistant coached for Sarah last season, and I’m so excited to have a team of my own! My favorite part about being a coach is seeing how players mentally and physically get better each practice. The game is just as much mental as it is physical. I strive to make volleyball fun, and I’m so excited for the seasons ahead!

Board of Directors

Saratoga Volleyball Club is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and is overseen by a board of directors. The board oversees club operations and maintains the bylaws and policies and procedures for the club.