Coaching Staff
Coaching Philosophy:
“Commit to the process of becoming 1% better everyday, as a player and as a person. As you show up as the best version of yourself, others around you will be empowered to do the same. Be grateful for your opportunities, be fearless in your efforts, and always play with love for the game.”
AARON WEXLER
WESTCOAST VBC FOUNDER & BEACH DIRECTOR
- BCAP 1 Certified 2018 (USA Volleyball Beach Coaching Accreditation Program)
- Crossroads School Varsity Girls Head Coach 2013-2017
- Crossroads 2016 CIF Champions, D3 State Regional Champions, D3 State Finalists
- CIF 2016 D6 Coach of the Year
- UCLA ’11 Volunteer Assistant for UCLA Women’s team under Mike Sealy WON D1 CHAMPIONSHIP
- B. A. in Geography/Environmental Studies ’06
- UCLA Libero for Mens team under Al Scates ’01-’05
- SAMOHI ‘01, Setter/OH
- Competitor on beach circuits: 20+ years of competing on the beach – 4 CBVA Open Titles, 2 AVP Main Draw appearances, 1 NVL Main Draw appearance
- Gilberto Classic Champion x5, ’15, ’17, ’18, ’19, ’20 (Venice CA)
- Maccabiah Games 2005 Silver Medalist, (Israel)
- 14 years of indoor girls club coaching: WestCoast VBC ’14-’17, Sunshine VBC ’10-’14, Sinjin Smith Volleyball Academy ’08-’09, Palisades VBC ’06-’08
- National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer. CPR/First Aid certified
- 20+ years of private training for players 8-50 years old
Coaching Philosophy:
“I believe in proper preparation. This starts with mindset training for our athletes. I run progression-based practices sessions that focus on proper technique, fundamentals, and game preparedness.”
Travis Schoonover
WC Beach Director
- BCAP 1 Certified 2018 (USA Volleyball Beach Coaching Accreditation Program)
- Crossroads School Girls Varsity Volunteer Assistant (2014-2018)
- Crossroads 2016 CIF Champions, D3 State Regional Champions, D3 State Finalists
- Thousand Oaks ’01, Setter
- Pierce College, SMC college, B.A. – Business (In progress)
- Competitor on AVP, NVL, & CBVA tours: NVL Competitor & SmackSportswear Sponsored Athlete, NVL top 10 player ’14 & BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER ’15
- CBVA 10x Open Champion, Gilberto Classic Champ ’17, Moonlight Beach Champ ’17
- 13 years of club coaching: WestCoast ’14-present, Sunshine VBC Head Coach ’11-’14, Gene’s Team Head Coach ’08-’11, Reef VBC Head Coach ’06-’08, Spectrum VBC Head Coach ’05-’07, Mustangs VBC Head Coach ’03-’05, Zuma Bay Head Coach ’01-’03
Coaching Philosophy:
“My goal is to pass on the experience I have gained through playing, and to pay forward the knowledge I have received through my past coaching experiences.”
Miles Evans
WC Beach Coach
- Hometown: Santa Barbara, Calif.
- College: Santa Barbara City College/UC Santa Barbara, ’12 sociology
- Team/Club: Santa Barbara Spikers
- Avp 2019 placed 2nd in Hermosa Beach with Ryan Doherty
- Have played in three 2019 FIVB season events, finished ninth at four-star in Yangzhou, China
- Played in 15 2018 FIVB season events with Bill Kolinske. Placed 2nd at the one-star in Aalsmeer and 3rd at the two-star in Sydney
- Placed third at the p1440 event in San Jose 2018 with Bill Kolinske
- In 2017, played in two NORCECA tournaments and one FIVB Tournament, finishing with a gold, silver and ninth, respectively; all marked career bests
- Posted a then career-best international finish of bronze at 2016 NORCECA Varadero with McLachlin
- Finished fourth at 2016 NORCECA Tamarindo, Costa Rica with Spencer McLachlin in their first event together and in North Bay, Canada
- Placed fourth at the 2015 NORCECA North Bay with Ian Satterfield, their first outing as a team in NORCECA
- Played in 26 matches at UCSB in 2012 with a team-best 325 kills and second in blocks (56) and aces (15)
- Won 1st place at the 2017 Punta Cana, Norceca with Bill Kolinske
- Placed 1st 3 different times at the Seaside Open in Oregon 2016, 17, and 19
- Girls & Boys Indoor & Beach Club coaching 2008-present
- Coached 3 high performance camps for USA in Chula Vista
- Coached for Endless Summer girls club 2017-18
- Coached Surfside girls club 2017-Now in Palos Verdes
- Coached with Matt Fuerbringer for Team Rockstar 2015-17 and with Alfred Reft for Peak Volleyball Academy
Coaching Philosophy:
“With the right motivation, will power, and effort, anything can be achieved in this sport.”
Dylan Maarek
WC Beach Coach
- First Open win Age 21 (2014), CBVA Open Champion x8
- 2nd Place Finish NVL Long Beach 2017 (coming out of qualifier)
- First FIVB Event Representing France 2018
- 3 AVP Main Draws
- P1440 Main Draw 2018
- Coached Mens Beach Team to a Silver at 2017 USA U19 trials
- Coached Women’s team to Gold 2017 USA U19 trails
- Coached Mens team to Silver in 2016 USA U21 trials
- Head Coach Paul Revere boys and girls 2017 & 2018
- Paul Revere Boys Delphic league Champions 2018
- Head Coach at Pac6 2015: 16s team
- Head coach at Pac6 2016:16s team, 3 silver medals
- Head coach at Pac6 2016: 14s team
- Head coach at Pac6 2016: 14s team
Coaching Philosophy:
“Show up early, work hard, stay inspired."
Katherine Kedeshian
WC Beach Coach
- Hometown: Pacific Palisades, CA
- Division 1 Beach Volleyball player at UC Davis
- B.S. in Biopsychology ’21
- Big West Honor Roll Student-Athlete
Coaching Philosophy:
“I never want to stop learning and growing in my knowledge of beach volleyball! It’s all about learning how to be grateful for the journey. This is a sport where losing can happen a lot and you have to learn how to get 1% better everyday and become a better teammate and person to those around you. I am just so grateful for this sport and what it has taught me so far and I can’t wait to keep learning about myself as I continue to coach and play!"
Anne-Marie Taylor
WC Beach Coach
Coach Taylor was a 3 year starter for the Loyola Marymount beach volleyball team and played one year of grad school at FIU beach volleyball. Coach Taylor was also a member of the LMU indoor volleyball program for two years and played one year of division one indoor volleyball at Louisiana Tech University in the Big West conference before transferring to LMU. Currently Coach Taylor competes on the AVP qualifier tour and has earned a triple A beach rating with CBVA three times.
After finishing her collegiate playing career, Taylor turned to the coaching side of the game working with the Notre Dame Academy indoor and beach volleyball programs leading them to a second place finish in league as well as coaching for West Coast beach volleyball club and Sinjin Smith beach volleyball camps and clinics as a director.
She graduated with a bachelors degree in Sociology from LMU in 2015 and earned her Masters degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University Irvine in 2019. Coach Taylor transitioned to the Junior College level and was the assistant coach for indoor and beach volleyball under Coach Nancy Welliever for Cypress College (number one JC in California for academics) where she helped the team get to playoffs. Before Notre Dame High School, Coach Taylor was the interim Athletic Director at Notre Dame Academy in West LA.
At age 29, Coach Taylor was blessed to return to her alma mater Notre Dame High school (Sherman Oaks) where she competed in indoor volleyball and basketball winning the first ever women’s CIF championship ring in basketball with her team in 2009. Coach Taylor wants to build a culture of excellence at Notre Dame HS helping athletes achieve their full potential on the sand!
Coaching Philosophy:
“Success is getting a group of players together, as a team, play hard, and reach their ultimate potential while having fun.”
Ella Driebholz
WC Beach Coach
- As a Freshman (2022) at Cal:
• Tied for the most individual wins in program history as she recorded 28 victories in her debut season and went 28-9
• Posted a 23-7 mark while teamed with Lexi McKeown, tied for the second-most wins by a pair in school history
• Recorded the ninth-best season-long winning percentage by a pair in school history with a .767 mark
• Currently ranked second in school history in career winning percentage with a .756 mark as an individual
• Recorded 11 ranked wins over No. 9 Hawaii, No. 3 TCU, No. 18 Pepperdine, No. 12 Cal Poly, No. 17 Arizona, No. 16 Long Beach State, No. 1 USC, No. 9 Stanford, No. 8 Stanford, No. 17 Arizona and No. 8 Stanford alongside McKeown.
Coaching Philosophy:
"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm."
Ava Guerra
WC Beach Coach
- Ava is currently enrolled at Tulane University from Santa Monica, CA where she started playing beach volleyball at age 10. Guerra earned her AAA rating by age 14 Guerra has placed 2nd in the AAU Junior Olympics in 2016 and 2017, 3rd in 2018 and 2019 2nd in Cal Cup 2019 and 3rd in 2017, 1st and two 2nd’s in AAU Best of the Beach 2019, 2018 and 2017, 3rd at BVCA 2017 and has held number 1 in CBVA points for Juniors for the last 2 years.
Coaching Philosophy:
“Every day is an opportunity to grow and strive to do the impossible.”
Ben Wood
WC Beach Coach
- Hometown: Monterey, CA
- Team Manager at Loyola Marymount University (LMU)
- LMU Dean’s List
- USA Beach Volleyball High-Performance Team Member 2017-2018
- USAV High-Performance Pacific Zonal Champion 2017
- 4 Year Starter for Palma School (Setter/Outside Hitter)
Coaching Philosophy:
“Learning how to be coachable has gotten me further in my athletic career than any other skill. If I can teach kids how to humbly accept short-term “failures” for long-term progress, they can tap into potential they never knew was possible."
Weston Carico
WC Beach Coach
- 2015-2016: AVP Coach, Lane Carico/Kim Dicello, (2) Bronze medals
- Represented USA Beach Volleyball in international competition.
- Junior World Championships: Men’s U 21 division, Halifax, Canada
- 2013 - 2014: Concordia University, Irvine; OH/Opp;
- 2012 – 2013: Golden West College in Huntington Beach, CA, for two years (2012-13) Competed on the varsity volleyball team for two seasons ... Named First Team All-Conference both seasons ... Was a member of the State Championship team his sophomore season.
- 2011: Prepped at Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach. Was a member of four League Championship teams ... Team made CIF Quarterfinals his senior season. MVP Mira Costa-Redondo Varsity tournament.
Coaching Philosophy:
"I want everyone to feel included and encouraged when playing. Have fun and be confident no matter the result. Believe in yourself and your teammate next to you."
Evan Dean
WC Beach Coach
- COACHING & RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
- Wavehuggers, Surf Instructor, Los Angeles, CA
- Teach 1 and 2 hour lessons for 1-4 clients at a time ranging from children to adults from Malibu to the South Bay Balboa Bay Volleyball Club Newport Beach, CA Head Coach/Assistant Coach
- Head Coach for 15 3s team & Assistant Coach for 15 1s team for Summer tournaments and USAV Junior Nationals Pepperdine Family Camp Malibu, CA Kids Camp Leader Aug 2014 • Led and assisted with the planning of land and sea activities for 80 youth campers and their families in 2 weeks Beach Volleyball Summer Camps Orange County, CA Instructor for American Beach Volleyball Camps and FCA Beach Volleyball Camps Jul-Aug 2013 •
- Coached elementary and high school youth at beach volleyball camps and clinics Volleyball Private Lessons Corona del Mar, CA Instructor Jul-Aug 2013 •
- Private lessons for 1-3 youth at the beach at a time to improve beach and indoor volleyball skills Marv Dunphy Volleyball Camp Malibu, CA Counselor Jul 2012
- Instructed youth athletes on various drills to develop competitive skills and abilities for greater success City of Newport Beach Newport Beach, CA Recreation Leader Jun 2011-Aug 2013
- Supervised activities at Day Camps, NMUSD Autism Camp Friendship, and community-wide events PLAYING EXPERIENCE Pepperdine University Malibu, CA Aug 2011-May 2014
- Division I Men’s Indoor Volleyball Team (3 years), MPSF Co-Champions (‘13), Scholar-Athlete (‘12-’14) CBVA Southern California Aug 2009-Mar 2019
- Competed in CBVA and USAV tournaments ‘09-’19, Earned A rating in ‘17 USA Volleyball Southern California Aug 2011-May 2014
- Junior Olympic Indoor Volleyball Team & Pipeline (‘07-’08)
- Junior Olympic Beach Volleyball U17 Team (‘09-’10), USA Beach Volleyball Exchange Delegate in Russia (‘10) Balboa Bay Volleyball Club Newport Beach, CA Aug 2006-Jul 2011 • Volleyball Club 1s Team Age 14-18, 3-Time USAV Jr. Olympics Nat’l Gold Medalist & All Tournament Team (‘07) Corona del Mar High School Newport Beach, CA Jan 2009-May 2011
- Indoor Boy’s Volleyball Varsity Team (3 years), Team Captain, CIF/State/National Champion (‘11)
Coaching Philosophy:
“I strive to help players become complete athletes; as prepared for success mentally as they are physically. By growing fundamentals into effortless familiarity with the game, we not only achieve more success on the sand, we also have more fun.”
Ilan Goldstein
WC Beach Coach
- 3 Year Starter NYU Volleyball (Setter), Team Captain (2009)
- EIVA Semifinalist (2008) Best finish in program history.
- Set records for most assists in a game, season and career.
- 3 Year Starter for Brentwood School (Outside Hitter)
- 2 Time CIF SS D4 Finalist (2003 & 2004)
- 3 Time All-CIF Selection (2003, 2004, & 2005)
- 3 Time All Olympic League Selection (2003, 2004, & 2005)
- – 2003 Junior Olympics 16U Gold Medal
- – 2005 Maccabiah Games Bronze Medal (2005) Beach Volleyball
- – Junior Olympic 16U All tournament team selection (2003, SCVC)
- – MA Sociology (2014) UCLA
- – Private Music Teacher since 2011