CVA Staff

         Our staff consists of a carefully selected group of qualified coaches that will emphasize the same set of

fundamentals as well as advanced skills. Coastal attracts, develops and retains coaches that embody the

philosophies we consider vital to a coach’s success. We strive to have our teams led by individuals that are

experienced, knowledgeable and professional individuals that are dedicated to their team and consider

themselves to be lifelong learners. BAJA and Coastal coaches embrace the club’s player-centric philosophy.  

We commit to helping our athletes build a strong work ethic, leadership skills and life lessons that will carry

far beyond the volleyball court.

     
Coaches must complete all certifications required by USA Volleyball / AAU and undergo annual

background checks in conjunction with USA Volleyball / JVA protocol and policy to be eligible to coach.

     
INTERESTED IN COACHING AT Coastal Volleyball Academy!?  We are always looking for passionate

and dedicated individuals to join the team. Please email your employment inquiry to [email protected]

     
Coastal Volleyball Academy is one of only a handful of volleyball clubs across America to be fully

sponsored by Under Armour under The New Prototype program!  We are excited to partner with Under 

Armour and proud to be a part of their #IWillWhatIWant / #WeWill campaign.

Director / 17 Elite Head Coach

     Ashley Martin is the Varsity Volleyball Coach at Osceola Fundamental HS & enters her 14th season coaching club.

In her 4 years at Osceola, Ashley has led the Warriors to an 80-27 record, 2 PCAC Championships, 3 District

Championships and 3 Regional Final appearances.  Ashley was named the St. Pete Times Pinellas Coach of the Year

in 2019, PCAC Coach of the Year in 2021 and FACA 5A-District 14 Coach of the Year in 2019 & 2022. 

     Ashley started playing club volleyball at the age of 11 at Gulf Coast Juniors Volleyball Club in Pinellas County.  Upon

entering high school, she started on Seminole High Schools Varsity Team as a freshman MB and by her senior year, led

the county in kills with 265 and helped lead the Warhawks to 3 straight Regional Playoff Appearances.  As one of the

top recruits for the c/o 2005, she earned many D-I scholarship offers, but ultimately decided to continue her career at

Winthrop University where she would earn a starting spot as a 6 rotation RS for the Eagles.  She then went on to play

for the Florida Southern College Mocs (2006-10) where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree with a Major in

Physical Education and Minor in Human Movement & Performance. She also earned multiple accolades including:

- Sports Imports/AVCA Division II National Player of the Week (2006)

- AVCA All-American (2006-07 & 2010)

- AVCA 1st Team All-South Region (2006-07 & 2010)

- 1st Team All-South Region (2006-07)

- NCAA South Regional All-Tournament Team (2006-07)

- West Florida All-Tournament Team (2007)

- Premier Challenge All-Tournament Team (2006)

- All SSC 1st & 2nd Team (2006-07)

- Sunshine State Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll

15 Elite Assistant Coach

     Sophia Picun has been playing volleyball since an early age.  She attended Calvary Christian HS, playing Libero /

DS for the Warriors and Head Coach Kim Whitney on Varsity during her Junior / Senior year.  In her Senior

season, her team made it to the Regional Semifinals and was a part of the best team in Calvary Christian history. 

Coach Sophia has a passion for teaching the fundamentals to our Coastal KiDS so they have a great foundation to

build upon, as well as teaching our upper echelon passers in the 15's age group.

14 Elite Head Coach

     Billy Phillips grew up in New Port Richey and played baseball at River Ridge High School.  After high school he 

continued his baseball career at Pasco Hernando College and Florida Gulf Coast University.  In 2005, Billy signed a

professional baseball contract with the Boston Red Sox.  After his time with the Red Sox he continued his playing

career with multiple teams in the Frontier League and Northern League associations.  Upon retiring from baseball Billy

returned to FGCU where he was a volunteer assistant pitching coach with the Eagles working with multiple pitchers

who are in the Major Leagues today.  Today Billy uses his extensive knowledge of arm mechanics to help teach proper

swing mechanics to our hitters, young and old alike.  He is also the Varsity Assistant at Osceola Fundamental HS &

CAP II certified through USAV.

11 Elite Head Coach

 
     Madison Kachurak was a 4 year Varsity player for Fivay HS as well as a 4 year Setter for Tampa United Volleyball

Club.  She was Captain of both teams her Senior year and earned numerous accolades including 2019-20 SAC Player

of the Year, 1st Team All Conference as a Junior and Senior as well as setting the Falcons school record for Serving %. 

She was a prominent student athlete and will be attending USF on an academic scholarship to Major in Early

Childhood Education.   Coach Madison is one of our top Coastal KiDS coaches,  where she instills a deep love and 

passion for the game while also making it a fun experience!!

11 Elite Assistant

     Katie Holman played three years of volleyball for Eleanor Roosevelt High School and Kinetic Volleyball Club in

Greenbelt, Maryland.  As a Right Side Hitter, she helped the Roosevelt Raiders to the 2009 Maryland 4A State

Championship Semifinal as well as a 2010 Regional Final appearance.  Katie attended the University of Maryland,

where she played for the Women’s Club Volleyball Team and spent two years as a student manager for the Women’s

Varsity Volleyball Team.  She traveled with the Varsity team and assisted with all aspects of operations at home and on

the road - Practices, Coordinating Team Travel, Recruiting, Official NCAA record keeping, Media Press Releases,

Summer Camps, Equipment Management and DataVolley Statistics during Maryland’s final year in the ACC (2013) and

first year in the B1G Conference (2014).  Katie earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture & Resource Economics as

well as French.  Coach Katie moved to Florida in 2017 and spent a season Officiating High School volleyball before she

began coaching with Coastal Volleyball Academy in 2021.