ACES Coaching staff
Coach Tori
Tori McCardell began coaching with ACES Spring 2022. she started playing volleyball at the age of 8 years old at a Houston Parks community center. Coach Tori then went on to play in middle school, becoming captain her first year playing along with being MVP. During this time, she also played in a club league for various teams. Coach Tori won various awards and recognitions such as Outstanding Performance, MVP, League Champion, etc. Outside of volleyball coaching she is a full-time student in college majoring in nursing, Coach Tori brings pure passion and firmness with her coaching style along with open mindedness to expand her knowledge of the sport. She dedicates herself to the sport and the players to shape them into the best volleyball version of themselves.
Coach Macy
Macy Williams is currently a teacher and volleyball coach at Fort Settlement Middle School. She graduated from Texas A&M University in 2021 obtaining her Bachelors of Science with a concentration in School Health and a minor in coaching. Her passion for volleyball started when she was in 3rd grade playing YMCA volleyball. Once she was in 7th grade, her passion grew when she started playing club volleyball. Over time she continued to play club volleyball, beach volleyball, attend summer camps, private lessons, all while playing school volleyball. In high school she started on the freshman team her 9th grade year, but that did not stop her.
Continuing to play club and sand volleyball, by her senior year she was the captain and libero of the varsity team at J. Frank Dobie High School. She planned to attend the University of Dallas to play as a defensive specialist for their volleyball team. Life had some different plans, so the player mentality quickly turned to the coaching mentality. Her passion for volleyball is rooted in the love for the sport, love for health promotion, and love for spreading knowledge! She focuses on dynamics, the fundamentals, and the intangibles of volleyball. Coach Williams wholeheartedly believes in teaching youth the knowledge of volleyball while teaching them to be better athletes and better people. She is looking forward to meeting you all!
Coach Bella
Coach Bella is 24 years old and was born and raised in Texas. She has been with the ACES program from the beginning and has helped us develop the skills of many of our beginner athletes. She is also the head coach for the ACES youth 14 club team established in 2023. During the day she works as a full time Certified Medical Assistant for pain management. Bella started her volleyball career when she was eight years old.
Her mom encouraged her to try a beginner’s clinic and that’s where she fell in love with volleyball. Bella started competing competitively in middle school where she played the position of the Libero. Coach Bella was also privileged to play for several club volleyball teams throughout her sports career. She started her high school volleyball career at Ranchview High School in Dallas, TX. As a freshman she started on the junior varsity team but quickly worked her way up to Varsity. Her sophomore year she moved to San Antonio and was a Varsity starter at St Anthony Catholic High School where she graduated. As for college, she originally went to school on an academic scholarship but decided to try out for the volleyball team. She walked on the team and was the starting Libero for two years at Langston University in Oklahoma. Coach Bella’s goals for the future include becoming an Registered Nurse and potentially starting her own club volleyball team. Her goals for this program are to teach each athlete the foundation of volleyball and be sure that they understand the sport. She also wants to share the love that she has for volleyball with every athlete she encounters.
Coach bailey
Bailey Banks is a dedicated coach that has well over a decade of competitive playing experience from youth to collegiate. She earned a full-ride scholarship to Houston Christian University. She received her Master's of Business Administration all while being a member of the indoor and beach volleyball teams. She received yearly high-performance All-Southland Conference awards and accolades as a leading 6 rotation outside hitter in the conference. She is a native to Missouri City, where she attended Elkins High School in Fort Bend ISD and was on the varsity volleyball team all 4 years. She served two years as team captain, received several MVP and Offensive player district awards. Before her collegiate career, she played club at Houston Juniors Volleyball where she made several Junior National Appearances.
In addition to Bailey’s high-level playing experience, she has over 6 years of coaching experience and counting. Through the duration of her time as a collegiate athlete she coached club, as well as camps and clinics for youth and juniors.
Bailey is an active licensed Realtor. When she is not selling Real Estate or coaching, she is maintaining her volleyball skills on the court and on the sand, traveling, or spending time with her family and friends.
Her philosophy is ingraining in young athletes’ competitiveness, the go getter attitude and aggression in every aspect of the game, it is always easier to reel it in than to pull it out of athletes, especially if they desire to play at a high level.
Coach K
It is an honor for Coach K to continue her love for volleyball by coaching and sharing the skills she has acquired throughout the years with ACES. She started playing in the 5th grade and during her high school years, she held the responsibilities of JV and Varsity captain, demonstrating her leadership abilities. She also gained experience playing for a club team for a year.
Throughout her college years at Texas A&M University (WHOOP), she competed competitively as part of an organization, primarily focusing on playing as a DS (defensive specialist). In high school, she began as a DS and opposite hitter during her freshman and sophomore years, and then trained to become a setter during her junior and senior years.
During college, her focus shifted to playing as a DS. To this day, she remains active in the sport, participating in competitive open gyms and occasional tournaments. Coach K has coached another program for one year and has continued to share her experience and skills with ACES.
Outside of volleyball, she works as a full-time Marketing Coordinator. Her hobbies include music, watching sports, traveling, and the pure bliss of immersing herself in the great outdoors!
Coach Cori
Coach Cori played volleyball for 12 years for both school and the Houston Juniors Volleyball club. She now plays for Prairie View A&M University, where she is studying to earn a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Playing sports taught her to take every opportunity and accept critiques because it will not only better yourself, but the environment around you as well. Coach Cori emphasizes the importance of clean technique and the dynamic side of volleyball to players. Technique will stick with players for the rest of their volleyball career.
Coach Alleah
Coach Alleah started playing volleyball when she was in the 7th grade and started playing club volleyball her sophomore year in high school. She has since played on the Division I level at Bethune Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida. As a volleyball and basketball player Coach Alleah had accomplished many awards and achievements in high school and college. In high school she was awarded All district volleyball and basketball, all academic for all 4 years, academic excellence for all 4 years, all district MVP in basketball, 1st team all district volleyball, defensive player of district for basketball. 1000 point club in basketball, ranked 3rd in the district for blocks in volleyball.
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In College Coach Alleah received the rookie of the week, the preseason SWAC honor, defensive player of the week 2x, preseason blocker of the year. What makes Coach Alleah unique is that she knows what it’s like to play on the college level and knows what is expected. She’s a competitor that likes to win and as a coach she loves to see the drive and wants to bring out the best in others and teaching how to compete and be a great teammate as well as player.
Coach bre
Coach Bre’ is 20 years old and was born and raised in Sugar Land, TX. Bre’ has been coaching with ACES since 2021. Bre’ started playing volleyball when she was in the middle school in the 7th grade, and played all throughout high school, where she played middle and blocker, and received the honorable mention her junior and senior year, she also started playing club volleyball in the 9th grade and played all they way up until her senior year. Due to covid she was not able to try out for her freshmen/sophomore year.
Bre’ currently attends PV AM and is expected to graduate in May of 2024 and will be obtaining her Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry.
Bre currently works full-time at the YMCA. She enjoys hanging with her family/friends at sporting events, working out and just making memories.
Sports has prepared her for life in many ways. Its taught discipline, teamwork, and how to handle success and failure. It also taught her how to work hard and stay focused on her goals. Sports has also helped Bre’ develop leadership skills, communication skills, and problem-solving skills.
Bre’ believes that her unique perspective and experience as a former volleyball player and current coach makes her an ideal candidate to help athletes reach their goals. She has a passion for the game and a strong understanding of the technical and tactical aspects of the sport. Bre’ strives to bring a positive and encouraging attitude to her coaching, while also providing clear instruction and feedback to help athletes reach their full potential.
Coach autumn
Coach Autumn has been playing volleyball for 8 years including the YMCA, Middle School and High School as well as Club volleyball. She attends Prairie View A&M University majoring in Health and Wellness.
Playing volleyball has taught Autumn to step out of her comfort zone, the true meaning of teamwork in sports, how to accept constructive criticism, and how to take corrective action according to instructions from coaches. Coach Autumn also focuses on getting the girls to break out of their shells so they can put all their potential out on the court. Not only does this allow the girls to push themselves, but it also gives them confidence that they can do anything they put their minds to.
Coach va'jay
Va’Jay Finley has been involved in volleyball for the last 7 years. She began in middle school and continued in high school, as well as basketball. Coach Jay as the girls refer to her, not only coaches' volleyball, but assures ACES players are educated on the rules of sportsmanship, accountability, and collegiate potential. Ms. Finley aims to bring knowledge to a dedicated athlete.
Coach T
Coach T played multiple sports, but volleyball was her main love. She played volleyball 7th-12th grade, then received a scholarship from Harris-Stowe State University which is in St.Louis,Missouri. While there she was honored to receive the Freshman of the year award and able to maintain a 4.0gpa. After college she went on to get her personal training certification and has been training for 2 years. Due to her college experience and working as a personal training, Coach T brings a great amount of knowledge to the court and coaching.
Being in sports has taught Coach T discipline, help one value teamwork, helps you face adversity. She wants her players to know it's ok to mess up as long as you get back up and try again. Coach T coaches with patiences and compassion when it comes to working with ACES younger players. One of Coach T's favorite quotes is from Michael Jordan, "Never say Never because Limits, like Fears, are often Just Illusions."
Coach taylor
Coach Taylor has been passionate about volleyball since she started playing as a middle schooler. Taylor continued to play until she began to focus on her education while earning her degree from the University of Houston. Taylor currently has a sales career in the oil and gas industry but wanted to continue being proactive in volleyball, which led her to coach at the Fort Bend YMCA.
She has been coaching at the YMCA since 2020 and has had the honor of growing a strong team and taking them to multiple championships each year. In the summer season of 2023, her team was undefeated. She is excited for the opportunity to coach for ACES and is dedicated to the growth and development of every athlete she works with. She hopes that her love for volleyball will inspire athletes of all ages and skill levels to develop the same appreciation for the sport, because where there is passion, there is success
Coach brianna
Brianna Franklin is 23 years old and was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She began playing volleyball in second grade at the YMCA. She started her career as a setter then shifted to a libero her junior year of high school. Brianna played varsity volleyball her junior and senior year at George Ranch High School in Richmond Texas while playing club at Houston Skyline. Her senior year of high school, Brianna de-committed from West Virginia University and committed to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to pursue her Division 1 college volleyball career. Throughout her time at UL, Brianna served as team captain for her last two seasons, appeared in over 60 sets, was named UL Homecoming Queen, was named Louisiana Athletic Community Honda Outstanding Graduate, founded the Black Student Athlete Association and served as the first president, and graduated cum laude with a degree in Biology Pre-Med.
Brianna also started her own cake business while at UL and served her community by volunteering to sing at the school church. In her final semester at UL, Brianna was the head coach for the Cajun Elite 12’s team where she had the opportunity to cultivate relationships and integrate her knowledge of the game into her young players. Having been an athlete her entire life, Brianna says that now being retired, athletics played such a large role in the shaping of her character today. Being an athlete made her resilient, level-headed, and creative. These are just a few of the attributes she believes have made an impact on her adult life. Brianna believes that her coaching style is unique due to her optimism and outgoing personality. She aims to encourage her athletes and help boost confidence, while correcting mistakes with explanations. One of her favorite quotes is by Kobe Bryant, “Stop negotiating with yourself." She believes this quote is powerful because it portrays the importance of mental toughness. She believes that mental fortitude cultivates strength that is far more useful than physical strength at times and plays a large role in an athlete's development.
Coach Kirby
Coach Kirby is a new coach for Aces Volleyball Club. Coach Kirby’s volleyball life began when she first played on Fort Bend Fire’s 13 Molten state team. She stayed with Fort Bend Fire, eventually changing into Cub Catalyst, until she graduated from high school. The start of Coach Kirby’s school volleyball was in 7th grade at Reading Jr. High. She advanced through the years with basically the same teammates, all the way through George Ranch Highschool. In her junior year at George Ranch, her varsity team played at the state championship, where they placed 6th in state! Starting her college volleyball career, as a college freshman, her team at Hill College advanced to NCAA Nationals and placed 4th in the nation! Kirby went on to play D2 college volleyball at Nyack College in New York! Her entire volleyball career, she was an outside/all-around hitter.
Coach Kirby graduated from Nyack College in 2021, earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, and she is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling. She one day hopes to be a counselor to children, helping them navigate different things life may throw their way.
Being an athlete, especially in college, has helped her in many different ways. For example, prioritizing, time management skills, and setting goals. All of these have come naturally to her because she has been an athlete for so long as she has juggled many different jobs, along with school, and more. Having a schedule and sticking to it is the most important thing!
Coach Kirby has a love for the sport of volleyball. She is just as passionate about volleyball today as she was about the sport from the day she started playing! One of her many goals this season is to share her passion and spread that love for volleyball to the girls in this volleyball program. She is excited to share her knowledge and skills with the girls and to help them grow, not only as athletes and teammates but as people as well!
Coach cece
Meet Ce’Loris Arrington who goes by “Coach CeCe.” She is a mother of one and has played volleyball for over a decade. She started with attending volleyball camps in the 4th grade and then played throughout middle and high school obtaining the captain position. She graduated from Hightower HS class of 2017, played club volleyball for Fort Bend Fire and Club Catalyst. She played at the collegiate level at Kentucky Christian University as a setter where the Knights received the NCCAA 2017 National Championship Runner-Up title. She also played for Wiley University as a setter and the Wildcats received 2020 Regional Championship. She started coaching in 2021 and coached at Our Lady of Guadalupe Middle School. Under Coach Cece her team went to second round of playoffs. She currently coaches at Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory (high school) receiving the 2023 TCAL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS RUNNER UP title.
Coach CeCe's coaching style is similar to the way she was taught, with patience and determination with the goal of being able to get the player out of their comfort zone. She pushes her athletes to the limits so they can see what they can truly accomplish. She loves the quote “Hard work beats talent, when talent fails to work hard.”
Coach Jadyn
Jadyn is a passionate and hardworking student-athlete majoring in Psychology. She has been playing volleyball since she was in the 7th grade, and her passion for the sport only continues to grow.
In addition to excelling on court through athletics, Jadyn also excels academically – graduating with honors from high school while taking AP classes along with maintaining an impressive GPA throughout college thus far.
Sports have taught Jadyn countless valuable lessons that she applies not just on court but off it too – dedication & commitment, teamwork, communication skills, etc. are all qualities one must possess when competing at any given level. It is these same qualities which make someone successful, not just athletically but professionally or even personally speaking! As a coach herself now, this is something that she hopes will rub off onto those who work alongside/underneath her.
To sum everything up into one famous quote by legendary basketball player Michael Jordan: “Talent wins games but teamwork & intelligence win championships.” This statement rings true for anything you set your mind out achieve, be it individually or collectively! Such words could easily define what makes people like Jadyn special; their drive towards success combined with their willingness to help others succeed too !
Coach "ke" Kema
Meet Coach Kema but you also can call her Ke or Coach Ke. She started taking interest in volleyball when she started 7th grade. It's known that she started off like most athletes, strong and discombobulated *laughing is acceptable*. Her determination to be what seems to be a “good player” is strong…although she believes everyone has a different perception of what a good player looks like.
Kema didn’t start taking the sport seriously until high school. Due to Kema’s parents and her not knowing about “club volleyball,” she had a late start. But, that didn’t stop her from competing or having fun while playing volleyball. Kema started playing club her sophomore year of high school, but it was only due to her not making the volleyball team at Elkins high school. Kema didn’t want to give up on the one sport that she felt loved her back, so she decided to start working harder on her skills and grinded for over a year. She started with average level playing field while in club at the time but once Kema started committing to the sport, she slowly but surely worked her way up.
The following year, not only did Kema move up in club volleyball and started playing with the 18s but she also made Junior Varsity at school. Soon enough, her senior year she was a starting varsity player. Kema didn’t let this setback allow her to be defeated. Instead, Kema worked harder until she was comfortable enough to play multiple positions. It eventually led her to a championship win with the club team.
Playing volleyball taught Kema a lot about herself and others around her. It also taught her how some sacrifices are needed even if you can’t tell what for, and to trust her team because without it we will fail. It also taught Kema to be more comfortable taking a step up for a bigger picture. Sometimes, leadership can be a frightening experience, let alone a challenge. She believes that what makes her unique in a way, is that she plans on teaching these girls not only volleyball, but just understanding “the bigger picture.”
A quote that always hits home to Kema is “Don’t be afraid of failure. This is the way to succeed” by LeBron James. Coach Ke anticipates teaching these girls how to not only expect failing but to also learn and try again!
Coach Max
Max began playing volleyball at the age of 11, being introduced to the sport by his older sister. He was put into the position of Middle Blocker and has stuck with it ever since. After playing volleyball for 6 years, he has acquired a wealth of experience and accolades. These accomplishments include being selected to 3 Indoor USAV National Team Development Programs (NTDP), 1 Beach NTDP, and was named to the 2024 JVA Boys Watch List. Max attends Carnegie Vanguard High School and will begin his Senior year. Outside of volleyball, he plays basketball recreationally and enjoys being outside with his friends. Playing sports has allowed Max to learn the values of discipline and hard work. Putting in hours of training, both on the court and off, has taught him to always value your time and take your passions seriously. Sports has also allowed Max to advance his education, as he plans to play D1 volleyball in college and earn a degree.
His wealth of experience in the upper levels of the sport and love for the game of volleyball make Max a unique and a qualified coach. He intends to pass this passion for volleyball on to other kids who are just beginning to play, as he was once in their shoes.
Favorite Quote:
“If you want to be the best, you have to do things that other people aren’t willing to do.”
Coach MonÀ
Coach Monà is a distinguished collegiate volleyball player whose career at Texas Southern University has left an indelible mark on the sport. As a key player for the team, Monà has earned accolades by being consistently named to SWAC All-Conference teams, showcasing an exceptional blend of skill, dedication, and leadership.
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The rigorous demands of collegiate volleyball have not only honed Monà’s athletic abilities but have also imparted valuable life lessons. The discipline, resilience, and teamwork cultivated on the court have prepared Monà to tackle challenges with confidence and determination in every aspect of life. These experiences have shaped Monà into a coach who understands the profound impact that sports can have on personal growth.
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What sets Coach Monà apart is a unique combination of strategic insight, motivational prowess, and a deep empathy for athletes’ journeys. With a focus on holistic development, Mona aims to instill not only technical excellence but also a sense of self-belief and perseverance in those coached. Through personalized guidance and an unwavering commitment to their players' success, Coach Monà seeks to empower athletes to reach their full potential both on and off the court.
Coach O.
Our Founder:
Ifoma is a native Houstonian and grew up in Alief, Texas. Fitness is her passion and believes fitness should be a lifestyle.
When in middle and high school she was a three-sporter athlete (Basketball, Track & Field and Volleyball). Ifoma was a NCAA Division I scholarship athlete, 3-time All American (High Jump and Heptathlon) and former Olympic hopeful at the University of Houston. Her career continued after college and in 2005 she was top 20 in the world in the women’s high jump.
Ifoma has worked in youth sports in various positions. She was the coordinator of two youth running series and an outdoor volleyball camp, as well the high jump coach at The Kincaid School.
Ifoma strives to inspire and motivate those around her. She takes the responsibility of training others very seriously. She considers it is an honor as well as a privilege for parents to trust her with their precious assets. She will motivate, encourage and guide athletes to reach their fitness and sports goals.