LAURA TOMES, Head Coach
Where were you born?: Sioux City, IA
Please highlight your volleyball playing experience, if any: I
started playing club for Nebraska Elite in Omaha, NE in the Spring of
2002. In 2003 I was put on the Fab 40 recruiting list. I accepted a
full ride to Oklahoma, where I started as a middle back from the Fall of
2003-2006. In 2006 I was named All-Big 12 and All-Southwest Region.
January of 2007, I was asked to join the US Women's National Training
Team. In March I joined the US Women's National Team, where I
represented the US at both the Pan American Cup and the Pan American
Games. Shortly thereafter I remained an alternate for the National Team
while playing for Rote Raben in the First League in Germany. My team
won the German Cup that year.
Please highlight your volleyball coaching experience: I
started coaching club for Oaklahoma Elite in the Spring of 2005 and
coached with them throughout my time at Oaklahoma, head coaching 16, 17,
and 18's. I have both coached at and ran several camps in multiple
states since 2006. Last year, I coached with Golden Bear's 15s team.
At the D1 college level, I was the student assistant coach for Oaklahoma
in 2008-2009. During that time I was also a Strength and Conditioning
Intern. For the two years of 2009 and 2010, I was the first assistant
coach and head recruiting coordinator for the University of North
Carolina, Greensboro.
Please list any award, or championships, you received as either a player or a coach:
What is your education background?: I have my Bachelors of
Science degree from Oklahoma University in Numerical Analysis of
Physical Sciences and Processes. I am also Impact certified.
Is there any other personal experiences, or training, that you feel makes you a better coach?: My
freshman year at OU we were bottom of the conference. By my senior
year, ESPN had dubbed me "Comeback Queen." My team tallied the best
one-year turn around in NCAA Volleyball history in the 2006-2007
season. That season we finished 11th in the country, losing at the
Sweet 16 in Hawaii. We were expected to finish the season around
150th. My coach, who I learned fromk was named Coach of the Year that
season. I spent a year training at the Olypmic Training Center with
World Class trainers and coaches.
What personal philosophy sitcks out the most when it comes to coaching junior club volleyball?:
What is your favorite experience with the sport of vollebyall?: The
first time that my name was announced as a starter for the US Team. Or
maybe scoring the winning kill in a 5-game thriller against Texas,
beating them for the first time in rivalry history.
What are you currently doing if you are not coaching volleyball?: I work at Pacific Athletic Club
BRIAN THOMASON, Assistant Coach
Where were you born?:
I was born in Goleta, California, about 50 miles south of Santa
Barbara. My family moved to San Jose before I turned one year of age
and I have resided in the San Francisco Bay Area ever since.
Please highlight your volleyball playing experience, if any:
I began playing volleyball at the YMCA in Santa Clara when I was
about 15 years of age. I began the mens' club team at San Francisco
State University and was both player and head coach in 1990. I played a
lot of doubles on both grass and sand between 1990 and 1997. I played
for a USVBA men team from 1996-1999 as a starting setter and team
captain.
Please highlight your volleyball coaching experience:
I began coaching in the fall of 1989 taking a 5th grade girls team
at Sacred Heart Cathedral in San Francisco to the city championships. I
coached the mens' club team at SFSU 1990-1991. I have coached several
years at the high school level with most of my success coming at
Berkeley High from 1994-1996. I have also assisted with the men's
program at Cal Berkeley; and the women's program at San Francisco
State. I coached at Holy Names College from 1997-1999. My first season
at Holy Names College the team went 31-7 and made their first National
Championship Tournament appearance. More recently, I have been coaching
at the middle school level making a home at Bowditch Middle School in
Foster City.
Please list any award, or championships, you received as either a player or a coach:
MVP as a player in 1995; Best Server Award in 1991. Coach of the Year Award from the NAIA in 1997.
I have won three championships coaching at the middle school level with five appearances in the past six years.
What is your education background?:
Academically I received two undergraduate degrees from San
Francisco State University: BA, Kinesiology, Human Movement Studies; and
BS, Biology, Human Physiology. I received a MS in Exercise Physiology
from Cal State Hayward in 2000.
I have several certifications in the field of fitness, including Personal Training and Exercise Rehabilitative Specialist.
In the field of coaching I have completed the CAP I and II level
certifications. I am also certified Gold Medal Squared and IMPACT.
Is there any other personal experiences, or training, that you feel makes you a better coach?:
My background in the field of fitness along with my background in
other areas of athletics has proven to enhance my abilities to coach and
lead my players. I have been a certified personal trainer since 1984.
In addition to volleyball I have also been a competitive athlete as a
swimmer, baseball player, track and field athlete, and triathlete.
What personal philosophy sitcks out the most when it comes to coaching junior club volleyball?:
NOTHING LESS. I am a big fan of Coach John Wooden. I strongly
believe in channeling and reinforcing the very best effort a person can
give. In volleyball this is best represented with the player that goes
for every ball, never stopping, never giving anything less than their
very best.
I also am a firm believer in taking the opportunity to build the
character of the individual, not just the athlete. I make every effort
to guide my players towards the following principles: (1) RESPECT OTHERS
(parents; teammates; officials; coaches; opponents; and beyond); (2)
RESPONSIBILITY, to understand what we are responsible for (being on
time; commitment; not blaming others; and beyond); and (3) APPRECIATE OR
EARN things in life, to recognize the things that other people do for
us and express appreciation and earn the rest.
What is your favorite experience with the sport of vollebyall?:
As a coach winning the California Pacific Coast Conference
Championship near the conclusion of my first season as a head coach at
the college level. Holy Names College defeated their rival, Dominican
College, to make it happen.
What are you currently doing if you are not coaching volleyball?:
My primary employment is as a personal trainer and group fitness
program instructor. I work with clients about 15 hours a week in a one
on one environment; I lead an indoor cycling program, "Brian's SPIN
CAMP," with a group of about 70 participants; and I teach TRX fitness
classes in groups of 5-7 individuals (check out
www.fitnessanywhere.com). I work at the Pacific Athletic Club in
Redwood City for these fitness related jobs.
I am married to Emi Thomason with three stepchildren: Kayla; Kina;
and Jacob. Kina Simonson will be playing for ELITE in her fifth
season. Kina was the inspiration for the creation of ELITE Volleyball
Club.
In addition to spending time with family I enjoy spending time with my three Maltese dogs (Buddy; Daisy; and Mayo).
What is something unique about yourself that you would like to share?
Many people are not aware of my background and experience in
canines (dogs). I have an advanced certification as a Dog Behaviorist.
In addition to spending a lot of hours at shelters assisting in
evaluating newly acquired dogs, I have also worked as an independent Dog
Behaviorist privately assisting dog owners with the own "dog issues."
ELITE 18-1 BLACK
2012 NCVA Power League
Practice Schedule: This team will practice on Mondays and Wednesdays, 7-9 PM, at the Pacific Athletic Club in Redwood City (200 Redwood Shores Pkwy). The first team practice will be on November 16th.
Tournament Schedule:
• January 8: Non League Tournament, Location TBD
• January 14- 16: California Kick-off Tournament at San Mateo Event Center or San Jose Convention Center
• January 21: Non League Tournament, Location TBD
• January 28-29: League Qualifiier Tournament, Location TBD
• February 11: League Tournament #1, Location TBD
• February 18-20: President's Day Tournament at San Mateo Event Center or San Jose Convention Center
• March 16-18: Southern California Regional Qualifier
• March 25: League Tournament #2, Location TBD
• April 15: League Tournament #3, Location TBD
• April 27-29: Far Western National Qualifier Tournament in Reno
• May 5-6 or May 19-20: Region Championships Tournament, Location TBD
• May 26-28: Bay View Classic Tournament at San Mateo Event Center or Oakland Convention Center
• We may participate in the following as long as we receive a bid to participate:
° June 28-July 7: National Championships (formerly Known as Junior Olympics) if qualified in Columbus, Ohio
...More Info Coming Soon!
