Our Coaches

Long before he was Coach DeRaffaele, he was a Bullard High kid making Volleyball Magazine's "Fab 50" list on his way to San Diego State. It was at SDSU that he first picked up beach volleyball — while coaching the school's nationally ranked men's and women's volleyball clubs — and went on to compete in CBVA, AVP Next, and AVP events across the country. Along the way, he coached at both the high school and club level, and in 2016 served as program director for Ignite Beach Volleyball. He brought that experience, and that passion, back home to California, co-founding Elite Beach Volleyball alongside Coach Maddox. He still loves nothing more than coaching, and believes the real win isn't the score — it's what competitive volleyball teaches his players about life.

Kelly played setter at Fresno Pacific University from 1997 to 2000, becoming one of the most decorated athletes in program history. She was a three-time NAIA All-American in volleyball, the 2000 GSAC Player of the Year, and a three-time All-GSAC selection, while also earning NAIA All-American honors in track and field for the javelin — five All-American honors in all. She still holds FPU's all-time record for career assists (5,139) and helped lead the Sunbirds to two GSAC titles, three NAIA Region II titles, and an appearance in the 1999 national title match. She was inducted into the Fresno Pacific Hall of Fame in 2009.

Kelly went on to coach at Fresno Pacific for nearly a decade, helping the program to two NAIA national championships and a national top-10 ranking in its first year of NCAA Division II play. She's also coached at Fresno City College (indoor and beach), Pacific Premiere Volleyball Academy, and Central Cal Volleyball Club, and while coaching at Valley Volleyball Academy, she brought home the club's first-ever national championship.

For nearly three decades, Kelly has been a fixture of volleyball in the valley— a name nearly every local player and family knows, and a coach who has shaped generations of athletes across the region. Kelly has been a cornerstone of Elite Beach Volleyball for seven years, coaching across every level of the program with a focus on the Elite 365 group. 

Fun Fact: Her daughter Emma also coaches at Elite while playing collegiately at The Master's University.

 Coach Kelsee brings a résumé most clubs would build their whole recruiting pitch around. She's the current head indoor coach at Fresno Pacific University, where she's also spearheading the launch of the school's new beach volleyball program, set to begin play in 2028. She previously coached on the beach staff at Fresno City College, and now begins her 4th season with Elite Beach after a run as Head Coach for both Indoor and Beach Volleyball at Cabrillo College. There, her indoor teams went 66-17 (36-1 in conference), won three straight Conference Titles, made a state appearance, and earned her Coach of the Year honors in 2019. On the beach, Cabrillo went 34-2, finished 3rd in state in 2022 at 22-2, and placed three of the program's pairs in the top 16 — a season that landed her Coast Conference Coach of the Year and a spot on the AVCA's 2022 30 Under 30 list.

Before coaching, she was a standout player at Cabrillo College herself, then took her game to the University of Providence in Great Falls, Montana, where she earned her BA in Business Administration. Along the way she coached with Santa Cruz Beach Volleyball Club and Main Beach Volleyball Club, and her love of health and nutrition led her to found 3 Pillars, her own youth development program built around teaching young athletes proper nutrition, strength and conditioning, and mentality.

Kit played high school volleyball at Buchanan, earning 1st Team All-League honors, before heading to Fresno State to earn his degree in Kinesiolog and becoming a National Champion and 1st Team All-American outside hitter. He went on to play professionally overseas for Zoersel in Belgium, then domestically for NorCal Premier and Sportsconex.

Kit has coached at nearly every level of the game, from Central Cal Volleyball Club and Copper Hills Elementary to Clovis West and Fresno Christian High School. He co-founded Elite Beach Volleyball and has coached here for nine seasons, working across all of EBV's programs.

For Kit, it's about coaching the sport he loves while loving the people he coaches. His advice to athletes: hard work, a good attitude, and problem solving can take you far in life.

Fun Fact:  Kit likes to play chess and read books.

Mikayla played setter at Buchanan High School, where she was a three-time All-TRAC selection, the 2018 TRAC MVP, and a three-year team captain who helped lead the Bears to a 35-8 record, a conference championship, and a Central Section title.

She went on to play setter at Fresno State, earning Academic All-Mountain West and Mountain West Scholar-Athlete honors, before transferring to Fresno Pacific University. As a graduate student in 2025, she put together one of the best seasons in program history: PacWest Setter of the Year, PacWest Scholar-Athlete of the Year, First Team All-PacWest, AVCA All-America Third Team, and AVCA All-West Region First Team, while surpassing 1,000 career assists. She also dual-enrolled at Fresno City College to play beach volleyball, helping the Rams complete a perfect 29-0 season and capture the program's first-ever CCCAA state championship.

Mikayla has coached three seasons with Elite Beach Volleyball, working across all of EBV's programs.

Her advice to athletes: always strive to be the best version of yourself — the more you show up and work hard, the more successful you'll be.

 Kevin played high school volleyball at Clovis West before earning his AS from Fresno City College. He's coached with Elite Beach Volleyball for five seasons, currently working with the HS/MS Boys program. Outside of EBV, he's an assistant coach for Fresno City College, Bullard Boys, and Fresno City Beach, and has also coached with Fresno Volleyball Club. He and fellow coach Nate are hoping to bring tri ball to the Valley down the road.

Kevin believes the slow, difficult, monotonous work is what makes competing worthwhile — investing in that work now pays off in the joy and satisfaction of competing later. He reminds his athletes that sports offer far more than exercise, building lifelong friendships, confidence, and a positive mindset that lasts well beyond their playing days.

Fun Fact: Kevin is currently teaching himself Old English, inspired by C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien.

Emma played high school volleyball at Clovis West before heading to The Master's University, where she's a defender on the beach volleyball team and a 2026 All-American. She's finishing up a bachelor's degree in marketing media with a minor in Biblical Studies.

Emma has coached with Elite Beach Volleyball for three years, working primarily with the Middle School Elite and Prep, Juniors, and Buddies & Ballerz programs, all while continuing to compete collegiately.

For Emma, beach volleyball has always been a fun, safe place, and she loves helping create that same environment for the athletes she coaches. Her advice to her players: always work hard and have fun.

Fun Fact: Emma's mom is also a coach at Elite!

Katie played high school volleyball at Buchanan before continuing to Fresno City College, where she was a two-time first-team all-conference selection and first-team all-state tournament pick indoors, plus first-team all-conference on the beach. 

She then transferred to The Master's University, where she excelled in both disciplines: as a setter, she became the program's first-ever NAIA First Team All-American and first-ever GSAC Player of the Year in 2020, adding All-GSAC honors in 2019 and 2020 and six-time GSAC Setter of the Week; on the beach, she earned GSAC Pair of the Year, All-GSAC Team, GSAC Pair of the Month, and an AVCA Top Flight Award in 2021. She was a two-time GSAC Scholar-Athlete and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology.

Katie brings five years of coaching experience to Elite Beach Volleyball, where she's now in her second season working with the College Prep, HS Elite, and MS Elite programs. Her advice to athletes is you never know until you go. You'd be surprised at the amount of balls you can get up by just going for it.

Fun Fact: I can lick my elbow and my favorite food is sushi.

 Ella played outside hitter at Fresno State from 2021 to 2025, serving as a two-year team captain and helping the Bulldogs win the 2023 Mountain West Championship. She earned All-Mountain West First Team honors in 2023, All-Mountain West honors again in 2024, and surpassed 1,000 career kills, while also picking up four-time Academic All-Mountain West and Mountain West Scholar-Athlete honors and a spot on the CSC Academic All-District Team. She earned her B.S. in Kinesiology–Exercise Science from Fresno State and is now pursuing her M.S. in Kinesiology at California Baptist University.

Ella also serves as an assistant coach for Clovis Community's women's volleyball team and is in her fifth season with Elite Beach Volleyball, working with Juniors, MS/HS Elite and Prep, and College Prep.

Her coaching philosophy: create a fun, positive environment where athletes build the skills and character they'll use for life. Her advice: practice gratitude, serve others well, and lift up those around you.

Fun fact: Ella is originally from Gilbert, Arizona.

 Ava played high school volleyball at Clovis North, winning a Valley Championship as a senior and earning first-team honors in both her junior and senior years. She's currently a defender at CSUN, where she earned All-Big West Honorable Mention and a spot on the Big West All-Freshman Team in 2026. Playing at the No. 3 pair, Ava helped lead the Matadors with a team-high 17 wins on the season. She also holds a AAA rating in beach volleyball and is working toward her B.A. in Kinesiology.

Ava has coached two seasons with Elite Beach Volleyball, working with the Buddies and Ballers, Juniors, and MS Elite programs.

For Ava, coaching starts with respect and kindness — she wants her players to genuinely enjoy coming to practice. Her advice to athletes: play in as many tournaments as you can, since competition is the best way to improve.

Fun Fact: Ava's favorite food is pizza, and the beach is her favorite place.

 Dakota played outside hitter and served as team captain at Buchanan High School, helping the Bears rank first in the state and second nationally en route to the Southern Section CIF Division 1 title; he closed out his senior season with 221 kills, 124 digs, and 55 aces. 

He went on to play at Santa Barbara City College from 2011 to 2013 before finishing his career at UCSD. He earned his Bachelor's in Biology and a Science Teaching Credential, both from Fresno State.

Dakota has coached seven seasons with Elite Beach Volleyball, working with the MS and HS Prep programs. He's also coached for Fresno Volleyball Club, Bullard High School, and Torres High School.

His coaching philosophy: athletes choose to play a sport because they love it, and it's important to keep nurturing that love of the game.

Marissa played volleyball at Kerman High School, earning First Team All-League honors, before continuing at Fresno City College, where she competed in both indoor and beach volleyball. She went on to earn her BA in Business Administration with an emphasis in Human Resources from Fresno State.

Marissa has coached three seasons with Elite Beach Volleyball, working with the Buddies and Ballerz program.

Her coaching philosophy: you learn best when you're having fun. 

Her advice to athletes: the one thing you can always control is your effort and attitude.

Fun Fact: I have 5 cats!

 Julia played high school volleyball at Buchanan before continuing at Fresno City College, where she ran the offense as setter for the Rams' 2019–2021 indoor teams and competed as a defender on the beach squad. She earned All-Tournament Team honors as the Rams won the 2021 CCCAA state championship, then went on to earn her BA in Liberal Studies and a teaching credential from Fresno State.

Julia has coached six seasons with Elite Beach Volleyball, working with the HS Elite Prep and MS Elite Prep programs. She's also coached for Fresno Volleyball Club and currently coaches A-Team girls and B-Team boys volleyball at Woods Elementary School.

Her coaching philosophy: create a positive, supportive environment where athletes feel confident to take risks, learn from mistakes, and reach their full potential. Her advice: don't be afraid to make mistakes — be willing to learn from them.

Fun fact: Julia, her mom, and her older sister are all third grade teachers!

 Clara played libero/defensive specialist at Buchanan High School for four years, earning First Team All-League honors as a junior and senior while helping the Bears win D1 Valley Championships in 2022 and 2023 and setting the school's all-time digs record with 1,315. 

She went on to play at Fresno State, where as a freshman she appeared in 65 sets and racked up 148 digs, 44 assists, and seven aces, including a season-high 25 digs against Air Force. Clara has since transferred to Seattle University, where she's currently playing while working toward her degree in Psychology.

Clara has also coached with VVA and is in her second season with Elite Beach Volleyball, working with the Buddies and Ballerz, Juniors, and MS Prep programs.

Clara believes a great team is relentless — masters of the basics, determined, and never backing down. Her advice to athletes: believe in yourself, work hard, and make a difference on and off the court.

Fun Fact: Clara loves hiking and being outside!

Devyn played high school volleyball at Redwood, where she was named Defensive Player of the Year three times. She played beach volleyball at Fresno City College, earning All-American honors and helping her team go a perfect 29-0 as 2026 3C2A beach volleyball champions. She's currently a libero/defensive specialist at Fresno Pacific University, where she's been named PacWest Defensive Player of the Week twice and made the All-Tournament Team at the NCAA West Regional Tournament.

Devyn also serves as an Assistant Indoor Coach at Valley Volleyball Academy. She's coached two seasons with Elite Beach Volleyball, working with the Buddies and Ballers and Juniors programs.

For Devyn, coaching is about patience and relationships — pushing athletes without judging them and meeting them where they are. Her advice: try something over and over before deciding you can't do it.

Fun Fact: her favorite color is green, and she loves to cook.

 Jenna played outside hitter at Bothell High School in Washington, where she was a three-time All-League selection, helped the Cougars to a 26-3 record and the program's first-ever Washington State 4A Championship as a senior, and was named both WSVCA 4A Player of the Year and the 2021-22 Washington State Gatorade Player of the Year.

She's continued that success at Fresno State, where she's started for three seasons as one of the Bulldogs' primary offensive threats — posting 300 kills as a freshman in 2023, 227 as a sophomore in 2024, and 311 as a junior in 2025, when she ranked second on the team in both kills and points. She earned Academic All-Mountain West honors in 2023 and a spot on the 2024 Mountain West Global Challenge Team, and was named a team captain for the 2026 season. She's majoring in mechanical engineering and is fluent in American Sign Language.

Jenna has coached three seasons with Elite Beach Volleyball. Her advice to athletes: failure is the first step to success.

Fun fact: Jenna has two horses back home.

 Pookie Gonzalez played setter at Bullard High before heading to Northern Illinois University, where she became one of the most decorated setters in program history. She was named 2015 Mid-American Conference Setter of the Year, helped NIU win the 2015 MAC Regular Season and West Division titles, earned two-time First Team All-MAC honors (2014, 2015), and finished her career second all-time in program history in assists — first in the rally-scoring era. She went on to play professionally for Pinkin de Corozal in Puerto Rico's LVSF, winning the league championship in 2023.

Pookie has coached at nearly every level, from DeKalb High School and Club Fusion to a volunteer assistant stint at UC Davis and a run at Northern Michigan University, where she helped the team win the 2020 GLIAC regular season and tournament titles and reach the 2022 NCAA Division II Tournament. Locally, she's coached the Bullard High girls team to back-to-back DIII Valley Championships in 2024 and 2025 and a CMAC title in 2025, and led the Bullard boys to a CMAC Championship in 2026. She currently serves as Bullard's Head Boys Coach and an assistant coach for Fresno City's women's indoor program.

Pookie holds an M.S. in Sport Management and a B.S. in Kinesiology with a minor in Journalism from Northern Illinois University, along with a Mild/Moderate teaching credential through Fresno Unified.

Pookie is in her fourth season with Elite Beach Volleyball, coaching MS and HS Elite Boys.

Her coaching philosophy centers on building relationships and developing the complete athlete, creating a competitive environment where athletes are held to high standards and pushed to reach their potential. Her advice: always respect your opponents by giving them your absolute best.

Fun fact: Pookie was a member of USA Team Handball.