H2 VOLLEYBALL
Meet The Coaches
We are thrilled to announce the expansion of our coaching staff for the 2026-2027 season! Our diverse team brings a wealth of skills both inside and outside the gym. We can't wait for you to meet our new coaches and see the positive impact they will have on our program!
Co-Founder & Futures/Locals Director
U14 Head Coach
Heather Ader
Volleyball for me started 28 years ago…with the best bet I ever lost. Soccer had always been my first love, but a bet with my best friend led me to try out for volleyball my freshman year of high school—and I’ve loved the game ever since.
I played as a setter throughout high school and college before spending four years in the Southern California club volleyball scene as both a player and coach. After college, I became a mom to four amazing children, but volleyball has always remained a part of my life.
Today, I’m the Head JV Volleyball Coach at Union Pines High School. I’m passionate about developing athletes not only as volleyball players, but as confident, resilient young women who succeed both on and off the court.
Co-Founder, Travel Team Director
U13 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 locally since 2012, working primarily with beginner players, but spent several years with U13, 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.
U13 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 start my 3rd year coaching with H2 Volleyball and help young girls develop the same love of the game!
U14 Co-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 begin my 3rd year with H2 Volleyball.
I was previously in the military and currently work at a furniture store. While not coaching, I'm either watching the Cleveland Browns lose, playing volleyball, building a race car or spending time with friends and family.
U15 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.
U14 Co-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. With my recent completion of Gold Medal Squared's volleyball coaching program, I hope to use my skills and passion for the game to teach young athletes and help them succeed on and off the court.
U15 Head Coach
Bethany Self
I have a 26 + year experience with the sport I will forever be obsessed with. I grew up in rural Ohio as a multisport athlete and a severe injury as a freshman continued to cause issues in future seasons. This limited my collegiate experience to only playing briefly but I continued to play in rec leagues over the years.
I am a military spouse and moved here 6 years ago. However, we call this home as we attended college in NC and family lives in the Pines. I am a Nurse by profession but I currently stay home and spend my free time with my husband, 3 boys and 2 dogs. I currently coach with a local school and was the U14 coach for Lady Spartans last season. I am excited to join H2 and continue my coaching passion.
U16 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 adult, 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 have coached the U13 team while here. 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!
U16 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.
U17/18 Head Coach
Kendra Faucett
I’m originally from WI, which is where I played my competitive years of volleyball and began coaching. Though I played many sports all my life, I fell in love with volleyball at youth camps. Playing in MS & HS, along with five years of club, led me to playing four years of D3 collegiate volleyball and wanting to be a coach.
In HS I served my rotations as a setter; whereas in club and college I was a DS/libero. During college, I began coaching club at a local team, coaching 13s for three seasons and loved every bit of it. In moving around the country, I’ve continued coaching at different club levels and ages (13s, 15s, 17s, 18s), and playing when I can. I have enjoyed every age level I have coached; there is something so rewarding in being a part of players achieving personal and team goals throughout a season/seasons, and watching them grow as a person.
Since being in NC, I have spent two years with the Lady Spartans program. My first year was a volunteer/fill-in coach and this past year I coached the 16U team. I am looking forward to coaching with H2 this season!
U17/18 Assistant Coach
Marguerite Lewis
Coach M grew up a multisport athlete. Through dedication and hard work she excelled at the high school and club volleyball levels and earned herself a college scholarship at Azusa Pacific University. Following a 4 year athletic career with several sport injuries, she pursued her doctorate in physical therapy and treated patients for 7 years. During her working career she returned to her alma mater high school and coached four additional state titles as the varsity technical coach earning a place in the Loudoun County High School Hall of Fame as a player and a coach.
In 2022, Marguerite and her husband moved to Pinehurst. She has been blessed with the ability and time to pour herself into growing volleyball in Moore County by starting and developing several youth volleyball programs. She is currently the head of the Sandhills Classical Christian School’s volleyball program. She believes sports should be more than learning skills. It is a means for learning life lessons to become a more confident and productive person
Futures/Locals Head Coach
Alexandria Romano
Volleyball has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. After playing the sport my whole life, I’ve spent the last three years coaching and love helping athletes grow their skills, build confidence, and enjoy the game. I've recently completed the Gold Medal Squared coach clinic, and am excited to share what I've learned. Off the court, I’m a school counselor in Sanford. When I’m not at school or in the gym, you’ll probably find me hanging out with my adorable French Bulldog, Capone. I’m excited to share my passion for volleyball with every player I coach.
U14 Assistant Coach
Abbie Demler
Hi everyone! I’m coach Abbie. I moved to Southern Pines July of 2025 as a way to spend more time with my family. Originally, I am from Kansas and attended college at The University of Kansas (Rock Chalk!) earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise and Sport Science in May of 2025. Sports have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Having two older siblings, I grew up on baseball fields, basketball courts, and volleyball courts. It wasn’t until my older sister began playing volleyball that I really became interested. After that, I was sneaking volleyballs to play with during their games and putting games together outside at recess in elementary school. I started attending youth camps every summer at our local university and in fifth grade joined a traveling club team. For all eight years of my career in both club and school, I played as a middle hitter. Volleyball was my life and for so many reasons shaped who I became as a person. I always find ways to keep volleyball a part of my life and am so excited to join H2 as a coach this year. I cannot wait to meet all of you and have you as a part of my story! See you soon!
Futures/Locals Assistant Coach
Lindsay Bell
Lindsay started playing volleyball when she was in 8th grade, and played four years on her Junior Varsity and Varsity high school teams. She played 3 seasons of travel volleyball in the Central Virginia Region, and went on to play 1 year of club beach volleyball at Liberty University. She graduated from Liberty University in 2019 with a degree in strategic communications and a minor in digital media.
Lindsay is a proud Army wife and has been married to her husband Josh for 5 years. They have a two year old little boy, Jack, and are expecting their first daughter in January of 2027. They have lived Southern Pines for 4 years.
Athletic Performance Training Coach
Daniel Zawlocki
Daniel is a Human Performance Specialist at O'Neal School, dedicated to elevating athletic potential through advanced strength and conditioning. Coach Daniel holds a Bachelor's in Exercise Science and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), bringing a deep understanding of human physiology and performance optimization.
Coach Daniel’s extensive experience includes working with elite athletes at the highest levels. At Ignition APG in Cincinnati, Coach Daniel contributed to the development of NFL athletes, honing their speed, power, and agility for professional demands. Furthermore, Coach Daniel’s tenure at UCLA involved collaborating with various Olympic sports teams, where the focus was on refining performance for global competition and injury prevention.
Specializing in a holistic approach, Coach Daniel designs personalized programs that integrate cutting-edge methodologies to enhance movement efficiency, build resilient strength, and foster a robust brain-body connection. The core philosophy centers on addressing foundational movement patterns, optimizing biomechanics, and proactively mitigating injury risk.
U15 Assistant Coach
Katie Jones
I grew up in Colorado, where I discovered my passion for volleyball in middle school. From that point on, the sport became a huge part of my life as I competed on both my high school and club teams before earning the opportunity to play at the collegiate level. I spent the majority of my playing career as a libero, where I developed a deep appreciation for leadership, hustle, and the fundamentals of the game.
Before moving the east coast, I coached at my home club in Colorado and quickly found that sharing my love for the game with young athletes was just as rewarding as playing. Last fall, my fiancé and I relocated to the area for his career in the golf industry, and I'm excited to be back in the gym doing what I love.
I look forward to helping athletes grow not only as volleyball players but also as confident teammates and individuals. I cant wait for a great season!
U15 Assistant Coach
Lauren Baker
Hi everyone! I’m Coach Lauren, and I’m so excited to be joining this amazing club.
Volleyball has been a huge part of my life since I was 11 years old. I played competitively through the age of 20, including two years of both indoor and beach volleyball at Wake Technical Community College. After my playing career, I spent three years coaching athletes and quickly discovered that helping young players grow and gain confidence is just as rewarding as competing on the court.
About a year ago, I moved to Moore County from Creedmoor, North Carolina, and have loved becoming part of this community. When I’m not in the gym, you’ll usually find me spending time with my boyfriend, Joshua, enjoying the outdoors, or cheering on the athletes I have the privilege of coaching.
My goal as a coach is to create a positive, encouraging environment where players can develop their skills, build confidence, and learn the value of teamwork, hard work, and sportsmanship. I can’t wait to share my passion for volleyball and help each athlete reach their full potential. I’m looking forward to an amazing season!