Our Coaches

Coach DeRaffaele  played here at Bullard High School and landed on Volleyball Magazine’s “Fab 50” list on his way to SDSU where he played out his collegiate career. There he first picked up the game of beach volleyball as well as coaching the nationally ranked men’s and women’s volleyball club. He has played in CBVA, AVP Next, and the AVP events across the US. He has coached both high school and club volleyball. In 2016 he was the program director for Ignite Beach Volleyball club and brings that experience and passion back to California where he started Elite Beach Volleyball with Coach Maddox. He LOVES to coach and has a passion for teaching his players about life’s lessons through the experiences competitive volleyball creates.

Coach Winter is a three time collegiate All American setter and conference player of the year at Fresno Pacific University. Assistant coach for two national championship teams. More than 20 years of coaching experience at Clovis East, Clovis West, Central Cal, Pacific Premiere Volleyball Academy, and Fresno Pacific University. Inductee in the Fresno Pacific Athletic Hall of Fame.

Richard enters his 4th year with Elite Beach Volleyball as a lead coach for our Elite and Elite Junior programs. Richard most recently coached a season for the Clovis North varsity girls volleyball team helping lead the team to a northern california regional championship (CIFDII) He also served as the lead Assistant coach for The Fresno city college women's beach volleyball team for 3 seasons helping lead multiple pairs to regional and state tournament appearances. While with the Fresno City College rams indoor program, He served as the libero/defensive specialist coach with emphasis of the team defense and passing as well.In 6 seasons with the rams He helped the team earn Two CCCAA State championships (2016 being first in school history), Four top Four finishes and Six Undefeated conference titles . Richard was a standout libero at Bullard High School.  He has coaching experience at not only the collegiate level but both the middle school and high school levels winning league championships at Bullard High Boys volleyball, Kastner Int, and Granite ridge Int. Richard is also a year round indoor club coach with Valley Volleyball Academy and is a USAV BCAP Level 1 certified coach.

Advice to our athletes:

You started playing volleyball because it was fun, every day you play find the fun in what you are doing. Even in the tough times, the joy will get you through it.  

Kelsee Montagna is currently the head indoor coach at Fresno Pacific University and is on the beach coaching staff at Fresno City College.  She begins her 3rd season with Elite Beach after serving as the Head Coach at Cabrillo College for Indoor and Beach Volleyball.. During her time at Cabrillo, she had an overall indoor record of 66-17 (36-1 conference), three consecutive Conference Titles, a state appearance, and was named Coach of the Year in 2019.  On the beach, Cabrillo had an overall record of 34-2 and finished 3rd in state in 2022 (22-2). The Seahawks also finished with 3 of the top 16 pairs in the State Pairs Tournament. She earned Coach of the Year for the Coast Conference and was named a 30 Under 30 AVCA award recipient in 2022.

While at Cabrillo she spent time with Santa Cruz Beach Volleyball Club and Main Beach Volleyball Club. She is a former standout player at Cabrillo College and then went onto play at University of Providence, Great Falls, Montana where she graduated with her BA in Business Administration. With her love in health and nutrition she started her own youth development program for young athletes, 3 Pillars, which focuses on educating, influencing and coaching aspiring athletes on proper nutrition, strength/conditioning, and mentality. 

Kit played volleyball at Buchanan High graduating in 2004 as 1st Team All Valley. He attended Fresno State graduating in 2009 as a Club National Champion and 1st team all nation. In summer of 2009 Kit went overseas and played a year in Belgium for Zoersel. From 2013-2014 played professionally for NorCal Premiere and in 2015 played for Sportsconx. Kit is currently our head coach for our Beach Buddies and Beach Ballerz programs.

Favorite Food:

Beef Wellington

Biggest Influence:

 My wife Jessica: my biggest supporter, my greatest encourager, my deepest Love.  

Advice to our athletes:

Always strive to be the best version of yourself. The more you show up and work hard, the more successful you will be.  

Advice to our athletes:

Time is short. Dive in fully; make friends, give it your all, and lessons learned in sport carry over in to life.  

Advice to our athletes:

Soak in every experience, lesson, and relationship you build and have through sports. 

Emma Winter has played beach volleyball for 6 years with Elite Beach and will be playing in college at The Master’s University. She has played indoor for 10 years at CenCal, PacPre, Elite Beach, and Valley Volleyball Academy.  

Advice to our athletes:

Work hard every single day, even on tough days.