H2 VOLLEYBALL
Meet The Coaches
We are thrilled to announce the expansion of our coaching staff for the 2025-2026 season! Our diverse team brings a wealth of skills both inside and outside the gym. We can't wait you to meet our new coaches and see the positive impact they will have on our program!
Co-Founder & Futures/Locals Director
Heather Ader
Volleyball for me started 24 years ago...with the best bet I ever lost. Soccer has always been my first love, but when my best friend won the bet that had me trying out for volleyball my freshman year of high school, I finally found my true love. I played as a setter throughout my high school and college days. I spent four years in the Southern California travel ball scene both as a player and as a coach while I was playing in college before beginning my life as a mommy. I continued to play competitively as an adult while I raised my three beautiful children, and when my oldest daughter started to show a fondness for the volleyball court, I knew it was time to step back in the coaching arena. I coached a middle school, JV & Varsity volleyball and soccer programs and spent the last eight years deep in the travel volleyball world. New this year, I've stepped into the role as Head JV Coach at Union Pines High School.
Co-Founder, 14U Assistant Coach
Tara Hartman
I grew up around volleyball and earned several accolades in high school as a middle. When I went to college, I continued to play club volleyball while helping run camps for underprivileged youth at the local community college. I was fortunate to find a local pick up volleyball league, so I could continue to play the sport I love so much. While playing one night, someone asked if I had ever been interested in coaching. The next day I signed up to get certified as a Level 1 coach through the Coaching Accreditation Program (CAP) at USAVolleyball. I've been coaching club volleyball since, working primarily with beginner players, but spent 3 years coaching U14 & U15 travel teams. When not coaching volleyball, I teach First Year Experience and Cultural Awareness and Online Learning classes at Southern New Hampshire University.
Futures & Locals Assistant Coach
Cheyenne Johnson
My father introduced me to the game at a very young age and I immediately fell in love. As soon as my school offered volleyball, I joined the team and began my 15+ year journey as a player. In high school I not only played for the school team but also had the privilege of coaching a 13u Recreation team. I played for both the club sand team and the local club team, where I was initially positioned as a middle hitter. As I progressed into college I made the successful transition to becoming an outside hitter playing intramural volleyball. After getting married, I believed my volleyball journey had come to an end. However, I soon discovered a local volleyball community for adults. This unexpected discovery led me to participate in numerous grass, sand, and indoor tournaments, reigniting my passion for the game. I recently completed the Gold Medal Squared training and am excited to share what I've learned with my team this year.
Futures & Locals Assistant Coach
Jay Podrasky
I grew up in the great state of Ohio with 4 siblings and played almost all sports. I focused mostly on basketball and soccer, but became more interested in volleyball once my sister started playing in high school and college. I have since been playing volleyball for the past 15 years on sand, grass, and indoor. I previously coached youth basketball for 4 years and am excited to work with H2 and coach volleyball. I was previously in the military and currently work for the government. While not coaching, I'm either watching the Cleveland Browns lose, playing volleyball, building a race car or spending time with friends and family.
14U Head Coach
Coach Nick
Growing up in Southern California, volleyball was a very popular sport. My Mother, who played at the collegiate level, introduced me to this game through rec leagues. My passion for this sport began to take off my freshmen year of high school, and what followed was four years of never ending drive to improve. I played club and travel tournaments regularly which paid off with high school section championships. The exposure through these programs provided me the opportunity to play in the junior Olympics and be recruited to play at the collegiate level. I continued my career through four years where I played Libero for Rutgers University. Since graduating, my passion for this sport has only continued as I began teaching private lessons whenever possible. After settling in the Pines area, I joined a rec league where I met the H2 team. They allowed me the opportunity to come onboard as a coach, get my kids more involved in the sport, and pass on my knowledge and passion to the next generation continuing the volleyball tradition.
.jpeg)
13U Head Coach
Nicki Grates
I started playing volleyball in the back yard in elementary school and was so excited to start middle school and play on an actual team. I continued to play volleyball for my high school team as well as for a travel team in Fayetteville. When I transitioned to college I played on Furman’s club team and coached for a local 12U travel team in Greenville, SC. I have spent my volleyball career primarily as a setter. I have been lucky to have found a group of great adults to continue to play volleyball regularly indoors, on grass, and on sand. I am excited to get back to coaching and help young girls develop the same love of the game!
13U Assistant Coach
Jessica Mace
I started volleyball as a way to spend time with my friends the summer before high school started and what grew was a deep love for the game! Throughout my high school career, I played competitively both in school and club ball as a middle. I went on to play as a middle for a community college and then spent two years playing sand doubles for my university. As an adults, I have been fortunate to move around a lot with my family and continue to find adult leagues where I have continued to love the game. I found H2 when we moved to North Carolina and coached the 13U team my first year. I have had so much fun learning to coach and watching the passion for sports grow within the girls we're coaching and my own kids. I look forward to helping our girls grow in the game as well as responsibility, kindness, and leadership!
15U Head Coach
Kaylee Lopez
Hey there! I’m Coach Kaylee, and volleyball has been my passion for as long as I can remember. I grew up playing travel ball and high school volleyball, then spent two awesome years (2015–2017) at Sandhills Community College as a DS/Libero. Right after my last season, I jumped into coaching—and fell in love with the game all over again (this time from the sidelines).
I’ve had the chance to coach 13 to 16-year-olds at several NC clubs, from beginner teams to more competitive squads. My background in exercise science and respiratory therapy (yep, I used to be a respiratory therapist!) helps me blend smart, science-based training with real-world experience. Now I’m working on my master’s in Sports Performance to keep bringing fresh ideas to every practice.
My coaching mantra is “be open.” It’s all about staying open to change, feedback, new skills, and great communication. Simple words, big impact—because an open mindset helps athletes grow both on the court and in life.
Off the court, you’ll find me hiking with my family, cheering on the Eagles every Sunday (Go Birds!) or trying out the latest local restaurant.
15U Assistant Coach
Anna Grace "AG" Crissman
I’ve played sports my whole life, starting my career as a softball player and ending it a volleyball player. While I loved both my sports, volleyball became what I loved most. I played all throughout middle school and high school, as well as three travel seasons, as an outside hitter. I am grateful for the opportunity to go from player to coach and now hope to use my skills and passion for the game to teach young athletes and help them succeed on and off the court.
​