2021 Billings Avalanche Volleyball Coaches
**Coaches are subject to change.**
**Coaches are subject to change.**
Jesse Moore
Club Director
~What is your playing/coaching experience?
I have officiated JH and HS volleyball for 13 years and have coached at the middle school level for 7 years. I assisted Natalie Bills with Avalanche, as well as coached for Avalanche before taking over the program.
~Why do you love coaching?
I enjoy watching kids develop their skills and be able to see themselves be successful.
~What are the top three things that you think make a team successful?
Relationships, fun, and the development of foundational skills
~What is your go-to comfort-binge television show?
Breaking Bad
~Who is your celebrity crush?
Ariana Grande
~If you were reincarnated as an animal, which animal would you be and why?
A dog because they seem to have the easy life and are always happy
~What is your favorite quote?
"A teacher affects eternity; he never knows where his influence lies."
Club Director
~What is your playing/coaching experience?
I have officiated JH and HS volleyball for 13 years and have coached at the middle school level for 7 years. I assisted Natalie Bills with Avalanche, as well as coached for Avalanche before taking over the program.
~Why do you love coaching?
I enjoy watching kids develop their skills and be able to see themselves be successful.
~What are the top three things that you think make a team successful?
Relationships, fun, and the development of foundational skills
~What is your go-to comfort-binge television show?
Breaking Bad
~Who is your celebrity crush?
Ariana Grande
~If you were reincarnated as an animal, which animal would you be and why?
A dog because they seem to have the easy life and are always happy
~What is your favorite quote?
"A teacher affects eternity; he never knows where his influence lies."
Joe Kusek
U12-1
~What is your playing/coaching experience?
This is my 37th year coaching volleyball. I have coached all levels -- high school, junior high and grade schools. I have been associated with Trinity Lutheran School volleyball for the past 22 years. I have also coached Billings Senior and Huntley Project at the Rocky Mountain College preseason tournament and spent summers working with Billings Central.
~Why do you love coaching?
I love watching the young athletes have success and learn to love the game.
~What are the top three things that you think make a team successful?
Fun. Trust in one another. Rock solid fundamentals.
~What is your go-to comfort-binge television show?
Miami Vice
~Who is your celebrity crush?
Paula Abdul.
~If you were reincarnated as an animal, which animal would you be and why?
A bear because I like the hibernation part.
~What is your favorite quote?
There is no such thing as a stupid question.
U12-1
~What is your playing/coaching experience?
This is my 37th year coaching volleyball. I have coached all levels -- high school, junior high and grade schools. I have been associated with Trinity Lutheran School volleyball for the past 22 years. I have also coached Billings Senior and Huntley Project at the Rocky Mountain College preseason tournament and spent summers working with Billings Central.
~Why do you love coaching?
I love watching the young athletes have success and learn to love the game.
~What are the top three things that you think make a team successful?
Fun. Trust in one another. Rock solid fundamentals.
~What is your go-to comfort-binge television show?
Miami Vice
~Who is your celebrity crush?
Paula Abdul.
~If you were reincarnated as an animal, which animal would you be and why?
A bear because I like the hibernation part.
~What is your favorite quote?
There is no such thing as a stupid question.
Anica Knispel
U14-1
~What is your playing/coaching experience?
Played 3 years; coached for 10 years.
~Why do you love coaching?
Seeing the light bulb turn on in a student-athlete to where they begin to see what athletics can do for them.
~What are the top three things that you think make a team successful?
Understanding of expectations, foundations of skills, and hard work
~What is your go-to comfort-binge television show?
Bob’s Burgers
~Who is your celebrity crush?
I don’t have one.... haha
~If you were reincarnated as an animal, which animal would you be and why?
Eagle; the sensation of flying whenever wanted.
~What is your favorite quote?
“If it were easy, everyone would do it.”
U14-1
~What is your playing/coaching experience?
Played 3 years; coached for 10 years.
~Why do you love coaching?
Seeing the light bulb turn on in a student-athlete to where they begin to see what athletics can do for them.
~What are the top three things that you think make a team successful?
Understanding of expectations, foundations of skills, and hard work
~What is your go-to comfort-binge television show?
Bob’s Burgers
~Who is your celebrity crush?
I don’t have one.... haha
~If you were reincarnated as an animal, which animal would you be and why?
Eagle; the sensation of flying whenever wanted.
~What is your favorite quote?
“If it were easy, everyone would do it.”
Lilly Nault
U14-2
~What is your playing/coaching experience?
I played volleyball for 8 years, and I grew up playing for the Avalanche program myself! I also played for West High, and my position was libero. This will be my 4th year coaching for Avalanche!
~Why do you love coaching?
I have always loved volleyball, and I wanted to give other girls a memorable experience with the game. Not only is it a great sport, but it also has the ability to teach teamwork and life skills. It’s so fun to see my players grow and go on to play at higher levels too! I also really enjoy playing with my team at practice sometimes and encouraging friendly competition.
~What are the top three things that you think make a team successful?
Communication, effort, and attitude.
~What is your go-to comfort-binge television show?
New Girl (I’ve probably watched it all the way through 9 times!)
~Who is your celebrity crush?
Zac Efron
~If you were reincarnated as an animal, which animal would you be and why?
A monkey - that was my favorite animal when I was younger.
~What is your favorite quote?
“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind” -Dr. Seuss
U14-2
~What is your playing/coaching experience?
I played volleyball for 8 years, and I grew up playing for the Avalanche program myself! I also played for West High, and my position was libero. This will be my 4th year coaching for Avalanche!
~Why do you love coaching?
I have always loved volleyball, and I wanted to give other girls a memorable experience with the game. Not only is it a great sport, but it also has the ability to teach teamwork and life skills. It’s so fun to see my players grow and go on to play at higher levels too! I also really enjoy playing with my team at practice sometimes and encouraging friendly competition.
~What are the top three things that you think make a team successful?
Communication, effort, and attitude.
~What is your go-to comfort-binge television show?
New Girl (I’ve probably watched it all the way through 9 times!)
~Who is your celebrity crush?
Zac Efron
~If you were reincarnated as an animal, which animal would you be and why?
A monkey - that was my favorite animal when I was younger.
~What is your favorite quote?
“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind” -Dr. Seuss
Kayla Anderson
U14-2
~What is your playing/coaching experience?
I played volleyball from 5th grade all the way through high school. My first year playing for Avalanche was my freshman year, and I started coaching in 2018, so this will technically be my third year with the club.
~Why do you love coaching?
Having played for so long, I've experienced a lot of different coaches and their styles, some good and some bad. After a few negative years, I realized that the way a coach treats and helps their players has a significant role on how the player approaches the game. I love seeing the improvement in each player throughout the season as well as being a positive influence for these young girls that helps grow their love for the sport even more.
~What are the top three things that you think make a team successful?
The first one would have to be communication, then followed by support of each other, and finally an overall common goal to achieve together.
~What is your go-to comfort-binge television show?
Either Grey's Anatomy or Criminal Minds
~Who is your celebrity crush?
Ryan Reynolds
~If you were reincarnated as an animal, which animal would you be and why?
Probably a large bird of some sort, like an eagle, since they can fly.
~What is your favorite quote?
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13
U14-2
~What is your playing/coaching experience?
I played volleyball from 5th grade all the way through high school. My first year playing for Avalanche was my freshman year, and I started coaching in 2018, so this will technically be my third year with the club.
~Why do you love coaching?
Having played for so long, I've experienced a lot of different coaches and their styles, some good and some bad. After a few negative years, I realized that the way a coach treats and helps their players has a significant role on how the player approaches the game. I love seeing the improvement in each player throughout the season as well as being a positive influence for these young girls that helps grow their love for the sport even more.
~What are the top three things that you think make a team successful?
The first one would have to be communication, then followed by support of each other, and finally an overall common goal to achieve together.
~What is your go-to comfort-binge television show?
Either Grey's Anatomy or Criminal Minds
~Who is your celebrity crush?
Ryan Reynolds
~If you were reincarnated as an animal, which animal would you be and why?
Probably a large bird of some sort, like an eagle, since they can fly.
~What is your favorite quote?
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13
Olin McIlvain
16-1
~What is your playing/coaching experience?
Played 3yrs in College at Clarke University , Dubuque, IA (NAIA). Played 1 season in Germany. Started coaching club last year for Avalanche .
~Why do you love coaching?
Coaching for me is about passing on the knowledge of the sport and helping athletes achieve their goals.
~What are the top three things that you think make a team successful?
Communication - it must exist on every team, no way around it. Cooperation - selfless act that benefits others. Competition - driving force behind improving performance.
~What is your go-to comfort-binge television show?
Archer
~Who is your celebrity crush?
Don't have one.
~If you were reincarnated as an animal, which animal would you be and why?
Orca - top of the food chain
~What is your favorite quote?
"You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think." - Winnie the Pooh
16-1
~What is your playing/coaching experience?
Played 3yrs in College at Clarke University , Dubuque, IA (NAIA). Played 1 season in Germany. Started coaching club last year for Avalanche .
~Why do you love coaching?
Coaching for me is about passing on the knowledge of the sport and helping athletes achieve their goals.
~What are the top three things that you think make a team successful?
Communication - it must exist on every team, no way around it. Cooperation - selfless act that benefits others. Competition - driving force behind improving performance.
~What is your go-to comfort-binge television show?
Archer
~Who is your celebrity crush?
Don't have one.
~If you were reincarnated as an animal, which animal would you be and why?
Orca - top of the food chain
~What is your favorite quote?
"You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think." - Winnie the Pooh
Tayler Larsen
U16-2
~What is your playing/coaching experience?
Played 9 years, coached 2 years
~Why do you love coaching?
Watching players be proud of their hard work when a skill clicks with them and they progress
~What are the top three things that you think make a team successful?
Communication, hard work, and passion
~What is your go-to comfort-binge television show?
One tree hill or friends
~Who is your celebrity crush?
Sam Worthington
~If you were reincarnated as an animal, which animal would you be and why?
Dog, they chill and play all the time
~What is your favorite quote?
Focus on the step in front of you not the whole staircase.
U16-2
~What is your playing/coaching experience?
Played 9 years, coached 2 years
~Why do you love coaching?
Watching players be proud of their hard work when a skill clicks with them and they progress
~What are the top three things that you think make a team successful?
Communication, hard work, and passion
~What is your go-to comfort-binge television show?
One tree hill or friends
~Who is your celebrity crush?
Sam Worthington
~If you were reincarnated as an animal, which animal would you be and why?
Dog, they chill and play all the time
~What is your favorite quote?
Focus on the step in front of you not the whole staircase.
Ruby Hahn
U16-1 Assistant Coach
~What is your playing/coaching experience?
I played volleyball throughout middle school and high school. I went to West High and played Outside Hitter from 2009-2011. I began playing traveling volleyball in 7th grade where I played for the Montana Juniors until Avalanche was created! I had great experiences playing for the club and made memories that I will never forget. I also coached Middle School volleyball at Riverside in 2010 and 2011.
~Why do you love coaching?
I haven’t coached since I was in High School, but I’m extremely excited to start. I was heavily influenced by my coaches growing up: Jeff Carroll, Beth Tocci and Kathy Nielsen have made an impact in my life- on the court and off the court. I aspire to have the same impact on these young players.
~What are the top three things that you think make a team successful?
I believe that being close as a team impacts what kind of game you play. I think it is important to understand your teammates' personalities and strengths to develop that unstoppable chemistry. The most important thing for me as a coach is to ensure the players are having fun and everything will build off of that. Lastly, strong skill, agility, strength, endurance will help this team succeed.
~What is your go-to comfort-binge television show?
Probably Game of Thrones
~Who is your celebrity crush?
Hmm hard question! Probably Dave Franco or Chris Pratt
~If you were reincarnated as an animal, which animal would you be and why?
I would probably be a lizard because I love the heat and desert climate.
~What is your favorite quote?
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams” -Eleanor Roosevelt
U16-1 Assistant Coach
~What is your playing/coaching experience?
I played volleyball throughout middle school and high school. I went to West High and played Outside Hitter from 2009-2011. I began playing traveling volleyball in 7th grade where I played for the Montana Juniors until Avalanche was created! I had great experiences playing for the club and made memories that I will never forget. I also coached Middle School volleyball at Riverside in 2010 and 2011.
~Why do you love coaching?
I haven’t coached since I was in High School, but I’m extremely excited to start. I was heavily influenced by my coaches growing up: Jeff Carroll, Beth Tocci and Kathy Nielsen have made an impact in my life- on the court and off the court. I aspire to have the same impact on these young players.
~What are the top three things that you think make a team successful?
I believe that being close as a team impacts what kind of game you play. I think it is important to understand your teammates' personalities and strengths to develop that unstoppable chemistry. The most important thing for me as a coach is to ensure the players are having fun and everything will build off of that. Lastly, strong skill, agility, strength, endurance will help this team succeed.
~What is your go-to comfort-binge television show?
Probably Game of Thrones
~Who is your celebrity crush?
Hmm hard question! Probably Dave Franco or Chris Pratt
~If you were reincarnated as an animal, which animal would you be and why?
I would probably be a lizard because I love the heat and desert climate.
~What is your favorite quote?
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams” -Eleanor Roosevelt
Jenna Fiscus
U16-2 Assistant Coach
~What is your playing/coaching experience?
I played at West High and was on the varsity team in 2010 and 2011. In 2010 we won state. I was an all state outside hitter in 2011. I have coached the 16s in the past two years.
~Why do you love coaching?
I love being able to teach the next generation the skills that I believe made me the person I am today. Volleyball holds a special place in my heart and I want to instill that into others.
~What are the top three things that you think make a team successful?
Communication, hard work, and a positive attitude.
~What is your go-to comfort-binge television show?
Bobs Burgers
~Who is your celebrity crush?
Patrick Dempsey
~If you were reincarnated as an animal, which animal would you be and why?
A cocker spaniel because my dog is spoiled rotten and has the best life.
~What is your favorite quote?
You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take. -Michael Scott (Wayne Gretzky)
U16-2 Assistant Coach
~What is your playing/coaching experience?
I played at West High and was on the varsity team in 2010 and 2011. In 2010 we won state. I was an all state outside hitter in 2011. I have coached the 16s in the past two years.
~Why do you love coaching?
I love being able to teach the next generation the skills that I believe made me the person I am today. Volleyball holds a special place in my heart and I want to instill that into others.
~What are the top three things that you think make a team successful?
Communication, hard work, and a positive attitude.
~What is your go-to comfort-binge television show?
Bobs Burgers
~Who is your celebrity crush?
Patrick Dempsey
~If you were reincarnated as an animal, which animal would you be and why?
A cocker spaniel because my dog is spoiled rotten and has the best life.
~What is your favorite quote?
You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take. -Michael Scott (Wayne Gretzky)
Victoria Bliss
U18
~What is your playing/coaching experience?
I played under Jeff Carroll at Billings Senior for three years and also played while living abroad in Germany my senior year. I began coaching as a junior in high school and have been coaching for Billings Avalanche since 2012 (I think). I also coached one season at Billings West High.
~Why do you love coaching?
I love helping young women develop skills that they will be able to utilize to find success throughout their lives. It is also so fun to see how a team can advance over the course of a season.
~What are the top three things that you think make a team successful?
Attitude, attitude, attitude! If the players on a team have the right attitude of playing to improve instead of playing for perfection, holding themselves and each other accountable for their jobs on the court, and choosing a positive mentality while uplifting one another, they will have a higher chance of obtaining on court success.
~What is your go-to comfort-binge television show?
Grey’s Anatomy or Schitt’s Creek
~Who is your celebrity crush?
Mackenzie Scott! Although I don’t know she counts as a celebrity.
~If you were reincarnated as an animal, which animal would you be and why?
Maybe a dog? Nothing looks better than a dog lounging in the sun.
~What is your favorite quote?
One of my favorite coaching/life books talks about how yesterday’s front page news is today’s fish wrap. We all have to work hard to get better all the time and remain relevant. The moment we hold up and coast is the moment someone else takes the front page!
U18
~What is your playing/coaching experience?
I played under Jeff Carroll at Billings Senior for three years and also played while living abroad in Germany my senior year. I began coaching as a junior in high school and have been coaching for Billings Avalanche since 2012 (I think). I also coached one season at Billings West High.
~Why do you love coaching?
I love helping young women develop skills that they will be able to utilize to find success throughout their lives. It is also so fun to see how a team can advance over the course of a season.
~What are the top three things that you think make a team successful?
Attitude, attitude, attitude! If the players on a team have the right attitude of playing to improve instead of playing for perfection, holding themselves and each other accountable for their jobs on the court, and choosing a positive mentality while uplifting one another, they will have a higher chance of obtaining on court success.
~What is your go-to comfort-binge television show?
Grey’s Anatomy or Schitt’s Creek
~Who is your celebrity crush?
Mackenzie Scott! Although I don’t know she counts as a celebrity.
~If you were reincarnated as an animal, which animal would you be and why?
Maybe a dog? Nothing looks better than a dog lounging in the sun.
~What is your favorite quote?
One of my favorite coaching/life books talks about how yesterday’s front page news is today’s fish wrap. We all have to work hard to get better all the time and remain relevant. The moment we hold up and coast is the moment someone else takes the front page!
India Richey
U18 Assistant Coach
U18 Assistant Coach
Billings Avalanche, LLC
