Hi, I'm Nichole

For as long as I can remember, volleyball has been a part of me. It’s my true passion, and I feel called to help bring that love for the sport to boys and girls through skill-building and mentorship. Throughout my 30-year career in volleyball I have played indoor collegiately, competed in beach, coached hundreds of players throughout the world from age six through professionals. People often ask me what skill I like to coach the most and honestly, I can't say that I like one skill, level or age over the other. They all are unique in training, and each requires a different set of skills as a coach to master. I have loved learning techniques to help every category of player, and my main goal is to build each one to be the best they can be mentally and physically.

I played high school and club for NORCO in Colorado, USA. I continued to advance my play at Colorado Northwestern College in the western US. As the co- captain for my team, I was recognized in many tournaments and was ranked top 10 in hitting and serving regionally. During my second year there, I broke the record for most kills in a match. I also participated in summer doubles beach tournaments with collegiate and co-ed partners. After that, I continued to play as a walk-on for Colorado State University (CSU) while earning my Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Sports Science.

After graduating, I was head coach of the CSU men’s and women’s club teams for the next two years. Soon after, I became the head coach at a local junior high school, and a high school assistant coach for Thompson Valley High School in Loveland. My junior high team finished the season undefeated. All of these opportunities created a drive to build a strong foundation to master coaching strategy.

Our family moved to Las Vegas where I took a break from coaching to have our second child Sammy and focusing on our young family.

Another job relocated us to Illinois where I worked as a personal trainer, teacher and coach for Panthers Sports 17s team, Romeoville High school boys team, and assisted several club programs. There, I also had the pleasure of meeting Bonnie Pettigrew with Next Level Athletics (NLA), a former All-American Penn State setter and professional player. Bonnie and I worked together for four years running camps, lessons, club development coaching seminars and skill development training programs. She and our staff of coaches helped further my knowledge of coaching and training at all levels. I became the lead instructor and sought-after private lesson coach for NLA, and the Chicago area, working five to six nights a week running clinics and lessons for hundreds of players in Illinois. I also coached players seasonally in beach.

Another job transfer took us to Minnesota. There, I founded and was owner of Campathletics.net, where my staff and I trained players across the Twin Cities, with private lessons, group training, clinics and camps. I also developed and ran a training program for beach. Campathletics.net developed and organized skill practices and coaches clinics for local clubs as well. I was asked to develop a girls and boys high school program for Math and Science Academy in Woodbury. Our girls team finished the season undefeated and was named conference champions.

After four years in Minnesota, a job transfer took us back home to Fort Collins, Colorado. When I returned, I coached at NORCO and then Rocky Select. I also developed a program and was the volleyball lead for Power2Play sports in Windsor. I developed a strong 13s/14s team for Rocky Select and they took the number one spot for Division 1 girls out of 86 teams. After that, I became head coach for the Liberty Common High Schools girls team. During my third and last season at Liberty, my team finished 11th of 76 teams. During that third season, I also started a boys 18s club called LVC. They won their first tournament before the pandemic shut down club volleyball.

Another job relocation for my husband sent us overseas to Prague, Czech Republic. There, I met up with former professional player Ryan Burrows who offered me an opportunity to help coach his men's team in Prague. We had a good balance of youthful energy and older strategic minds to create a strong team dynamic. We won the season championship thanks to a balanced approach to coaching, playing and enjoying the experience of traveling together. I was also given some great opportunities through Bring It Promotions to assist and experience European Volleyball tours, help coach future professional recruits and connect with other coaches throughout Europe. I also mentored and helped coach club teams, ran clinics for the International School of Prague, and helped with beach training.

After a year and a half we moved back to the US. I am back to where it all began, Fort Collins, Colorado.

Relocations are never easy and come with many sacrifices, but with our many, I’ve been able to meet amazing volleyball families, players and coaches from around the world. Having moved to so many regions has positively impacted my passion for the sport, knowledge and coaching skills. Looking back, I am proud of the work put into so many players. I’m eager to keep learning, coaching and building my favorite sport. Hope to see you on the court soon!