COACHING STAFF
Motivators. Educators. Mentors.
GEN BALETO
Seattle Volleyball Academy Director
U11 Regional Co-Head Coach
Coach Gen started out playing volleyball as a Freshman at Rim of the World High School in California. During her Junior and Senior years, her team won the 1981 and 1982 California State Girls Volleyball Championships. She was named 1981 and 1982 MVP of the Sunkist League and was on the California State Girls Volleyball Regionals and All-State Tournament Teams both years. She also played for the Orange County Volleyball Club, where they were top finishers at the Junior National Open Volleyball Championships from 1981-1983.
From there, Coach Gen moved to Seattle, and played volleyball at the University of Washington from 1983-1986. She captained the team her last two years there and held numerous records. She held the record for Career and Season Service Aces for nearly 20 years and was honored to become a member of the Pac-10 All-Decade Team for 1980-1990.
After completing her college career, Coach Gen founded the Seattle Juniors Volleyball Club with her former University of Washington coaches. She helped bring a U18s team to a 6th-place finish in the 1989 Junior Nationals Open Championships.
From 1994-1997 Coach Gen was the club coach at Seattle University where her women’s team competed in and won numerous Evergreen Regional tournaments.
The 2021-22 indoor season was her official return to coaching where she took a SVA U12 team consisting of first year club volleyball players to a 17th place finish in a field of 33 teams. Coach Genne brings her leadership and organizational qualities to SVA as the Director of Seattle Volleyball Academy overseeing all aspects of the club.
JOE BALETO
Seattle Volleyball Academy
Director of Player Development
U11 Regional Co-Head Coach
U12 Regional Head Coach
Coach Joe is one of the most well-known and well-respected coaches in the Northwest. He started out playing volleyball in 1981. His interest in the sport grew quickly, and within five years, he was playing for the Seattle Athletic Club, one of the top Evergreen Region Men’s Club Teams. During that time, he began coaching junior players, and helped bring a Seattle Juniors U18s team to a 6th-place finish in the 1989 Junior Nationals Open Championships.
Coach Joe began his collegiate coaching career at Seattle University and remained there from 1990-2000. He took his men’s club team to back-to-back Evergreen Regional Championships in 1998 and 1999. In 2000, Coach Joe joined the Seattle University Division II Women’s Volleyball Team as an Assistant Coach and remained there until 2007.
From 2010-2014, Coach Joe was the head volleyball coach at West Seattle High School where he coached both of his daughters.
In 2019 he became the assistant coach for beach volleyball at the University of Washington and coached through the 2020 season.
After leaving the University of Washington Coach Joe moved to Kennedy Catholic High School as the Girls' Volleyball JV Head Coach and Varsity Assistant Coach 2020-2023.
Coach Joe also brings many years of club volleyball coaching experience to Seattle Volleyball Academy. As the Director of Player Development, he will oversee all of the training throughout the Seattle Volleyball Academy program Coach Joe also brings many years of club volleyball coaching experience to Seattle Volleyball Academy. As the Director of Player Development, he will oversee all training throughout the Seattle Volleyball Academy program and head the U11 and U12 Regional teams for the 2026-2027 season.
STEPHANIE PAPKE
Seattle Volleyball Academy Training/Setting Coach
U17 National Setting Coach
U14 Development Head Coach
Coach Steph hailed from Auburn Washington where she helped lead the Auburn HS volleyball team to the State Tournament her senior year. Coach Papke attended Washington State University on a volleyball scholarship and became a four-year letter winner (1994-97), and was the first Cougar volleyball player to be voted by coaches to the All-Pac-10 team. She finished her career third in school history with 3,839 assists and was a three-time All-Pac-10 honoree. During her junior year she earned Pac-10 All-Academic First Team honors and was an All-District 8 selection as well. That same year, Coach Steph was named an AVCA All-American.
In 1998 she was a Pac-10 Conference Medal Winner and was WSU's nominee for NCAA Woman of the Year. In 2019 she was inducted into the Washington State University Hall of Fame. In 2026 she was inducted a second time with her 1996 team and coaches.
Coach Steph has coached at the club, high school, and junior high levels, along with running volleyball camps and clinics, for over 25 years. She is currently the Skills Specialist Coach at Go Time Athletics, where she specializes in setting.
Aki Petronijevic
Libero/DS Training Coach
U17 National Head Coach
Coach Aki was a standout libero at the University of Memphis (2011-2014) where she broke the school's all-time dig record finishing her career with 2,335 digs and three of the top four marks in school history. Coach Aki played in every set during her four years in the Blue and Gray and finished her career with 417 assists, 120 aces and 126 points.
In her senior year at Memphis Coach Aki was named to the American Athletic Conference Second -Team. First Memphis player to record 700 digs in a season, finishing with 717. Finished atop the American Athletic Conference in digs and digs/set with 717 and 5.39, respectively. Named the conference's defensive player of the week on two separate occasions and garnered honor roll honors. Named the AVSR Global Player of the Week two times, given weekly to the Top-International player in the country. Earned All-Tournament honors at the Maroon Classic. Posted double-digit digs in 30 matches and had more than 20 on 17 different occasions.
Coach Aki hails from Belgrade, Serbia where she graduated from the Prva Beogradska Gimnazija (First Gymnasium HS of Belgrade). A multi-sport athlete in Serbia she also competed in track and field and tennis.
Davis Moon
Seattle Volleyball Academy
U17 Natonal Assistant Coach
Coach Davis- Seattle Volleyball Academy U17 National Assistant Coach
Coach Davis is a self-taught, volleyball-obsessed athlete. He started playing indoors on Western Washington University’s club team, and within his first 2 years there, he captained the team.
After playing in college, Coach Davis followed his passion to the south shore of Oahu to play competitive beach volleyball.
In 2025, his return to Seattle led him back to indoor volleyball, where his obsession to learn and develop continues. He directs his energy to using his keen eye for movement mechanics, technique and strategy for developing junior athletes.
Claire Baker
Coach Claire - Seattle Volleyball Academy U18 National Head Coach
Coach Claire is excited to join SVA after growing up playing club volleyball in the Puget Sound Region and attending Holy Names Academy.
She played NCAA DIII volleyball at Clark University and then attended Western Washington University where she completed her masters degree in sports psychology.
Coach Claire is excited to help athletes grow on and off the court, and further their passion for the game of volleyball.
Seattle Volleyball Academy
U18 National Head Coach
Kaiona Apio
Seattle Volleyball Academy
U18 Regional Assistant Coach
Kaiona Apio - Seattle Volleyball Academy U18 National Assistant Coach
Coach Kaiona was an athlete at Edmonds-Woodway High school, where she was a varsity libero. Kaiona also competed in multiple AVP nationals for beach volleyball while in high school.
In college, Coach Kaiona competed in both volleyball and track & field at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. She later coached at McNary High School in Keizer, Oregon as the freshman volleyball team head coach and as an assistant track coach. She also coached club at Courthouse Volleyball.
Coach Kaiona is excited to join the SVA team and continue to foster a positive mindset culture and person-first practices.
Coach Laryssa grew up in Colorado and played volleyball for 15 years, competing at the club level from ages 11–18 with Momentum, Colorado Juniors, Front Range Volleyball Club, and Colorado Volleyball Academy. Throughout her playing career, she competed at nearly every position on the court. Her strongest weapon, however, was always her serve, a skill she developed from an early age and carried throughout her playing career.
In 2017, Coach Laryssa was selected to compete in the USA Volleyball High-Performance Camp, and in 2019, she participated in the Colorado High School Coaches Association All-State Games where her team won Gold. She went on to play Division II volleyball at Arkansas Tech University before transferring to Texas Christian University, where she graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Strategic Communication and a minor in Film and Media Studies.
Following her playing career, Coach Laryssa spent several years working in Power 4 college athletics, producing creative content and working closely with coaches and student-athletes across a variety of sports. Her experience provided her with a unique perspective on the dedication, preparation, and development that goes into collegiate athletics.
In 2026, Coach Laryssa found her way back to the court through beach volleyball and league play. She has also worked with middle school and high school athletes through private lessons, helping players develop their skills and deepen their understanding of the game.
Outside of volleyball, Coach Laryssa is the founder of LAMyers.Digital, a creative business specializing in photography, videography, and storytelling. As a female founder, she brings the same intentionality, creativity, and commitment to growth into her work both on and off the court.
Coach Laryssa joins SVA as an Assistant Coach for the 16 Navy team. She brings a love for competition, a passion for developing athletes' skillsets, and an appreciation for the process of growth. She looks forward to sharing her experience and enthusiasm for the game with the next generation of volleyball players.
Lamar
Seattle Volleyball Academy
U16 National Head Coach
Coach Lamar entered the world of volleyball after his track and field hall of fame career at the University of Oregon. He has been coaching volleyball for over 20 years, most recently, at Seattle Juniors for 15 years with two Puget Sound Regional Championships. He’s also had stints with other junior volleyball clubs.
Coach Lamar also served as Girls Volleyball Head Coach at Roosevelt High School for nine seasons, compiling a 123-18 regular season record. Under his leadership, the team made four consecutive trips to the state tournament, placing 4th in state — the best finish in Roosevelt High School history. Coach Lamar also coached the Boys volleyball team at Roosevelt and guided them to a District Championship and a 2nd place finish at their state championship in 2024. Coach Lamar currently coaches at Lakeside High School during the fall season.
As a volleyball player, Coach Lamar began playing over 30 years ago and was a six-time Evergreen Regional Champion and two-time Evergreen Regional MVP. He also placed 2nd at the Seaside Beach Tournament in the Men's AA division back in the 90’s.
Prior to volleyball, Coach Lamar was a track athlete at the University of Oregon, where he set school records in the 100m High Hurdles and Triple Jump that remained in Oregon’s all-time top 10 performances for over 4 decades. In 1984, he was a high hurdle competitor in the Olympic Trials in Los Angeles, CA. Coach Lamar was later inducted into the University of Oregon Track and Field Hall of Fame and was also inducted into the Seattle Public Schools Athletics Hall of Fame as a result of his success in basketball and track at Garfield High School in Seattle.
His philosophy is winning from the inside out, and his passion is to help individuals perform at an optimal level in every area of their life.
Peter Duane
Seattle Volleyball Academy
U16 National Assistant Coach
Coach Peter was a high school wrestler and football player. After gradrating, he bacame an assistant wrestling coach and later found competitive volleyball while in college. In the late 1980's, early 1990's, he first played intramurals and then joined the Seattle University Men's Volleyball Club Team.
After college, Coach Peter moved to Hawaii, and continued to play club volleyball, as well as outdoor tournaments and played a season of semi-pro football. Peter moved back to the Seattle area, where he started coaching high school wrestling. He also played adult rec volleyball, and eventually found his way to coaching youth rec and middle school volleyball.
SVA brings a whole new challenge and commitment for him in the sport of volleyball, and he is grateful to be assisting with the U16 National team!
Tyler Donlan
Seattle Volleyball Academy
U16 Regional Head Coach
Coach Tyler is a class of 2019 graduate of West Seattle HS where she was a 3 year varsity player. Standing at 6'1" Coach Tyler was a force at OH and Middle Blocker for West Seattle..
Coach Tyler was an All Metro 1st Team selection in both her Junior and Senior seasons as well as leading the team as a varsity captain. in both her Junior and Senior seasons for the Wildcats. Coach Tyler also earned Most Inspirational honors and was voted Best Offensive Player three times while earning 2 player of the match awards.
After graduating from West Seattle HS she continued her volleyball career at Bellevue College where she had limited playing time and opportunities due to Covid. She transferred to Washington State University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Strategic Communications with a focus on Public Relations.
Coach Tyler is excited to proivide her vast knowledge of the game to our young athletes helping them better understand the game and teach what it takes to get prepared to enter their high school career.
Laryssa
Seattle Volleyball Academy
U16 Regional Assistant Coach
Coach Laryssa grew up in Colorado and played volleyball for 15 years, competing at the club level from ages 11–18 with Momentum, Colorado Juniors, Front Range Volleyball Club, and Colorado Volleyball Academy. Throughout her playing career, she competed at nearly every position on the court. Her strongest weapon, however, was always her serve, a skill she developed from an early age and carried throughout her playing career.
In 2017, Coach Laryssa was selected to compete in the USA Volleyball High-Performance Camp, and in 2019, she participated in the Colorado High School Coaches Association All-State Games where her team won Gold. She went on to play Division II volleyball at Arkansas Tech University before transferring to Texas Christian University, where she graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Strategic Communication and a minor in Film and Media Studies.
Following her playing career, Coach Laryssa spent several years working in Power 4 college athletics, producing creative content and working closely with coaches and student-athletes across a variety of sports. Her experience provided her with a unique perspective on the dedication, preparation, and development that goes into collegiate athletics.
In 2026, Coach Laryssa found her way back to the court through beach volleyball and league play. She has also worked with middle school and high school athletes through private lessons, helping players develop their skills and deepen their understanding of the game.
Outside of volleyball, Coach Laryssa is the founder of LAMyers.Digital, a creative business specializing in photography, videography, and storytelling. As a female founder, she brings the same intentionality, creativity, and commitment to growth into her work both on and off the court.
Coach Laryssa joins SVA as an Assistant Coach for the 16 Navy team. She brings a love for competition, a passion for developing athletes' skillsets, and an appreciation for the process of growth. She looks forward to sharing her experience and enthusiasm for the game with the next generation of volleyball players.
Carmen Tryka
Seattle Volleyball Academy
U15 National Head Coach
Coach Carmen grew up in San Diego, CA playing a variety of sports which included volleyball, starting in the 5th grade. She played competitive softball through high school at Point Loma High School and was recruited by Division 1 schools, but realized that her passion was volleyball. During her Senior year in high school, she played varsity volleyball as a Libero and went on to play on an elite team at Coast VBC in San Diego. She later went on to college and continued playing at the University of San Diego for their competitive club team.
Coach Carmen chas over 9 years of coaching experience with high school and club teams. Her coaching passions include mastering the fundamentals and improving a team’s overall volleyball IQ. She is excited to be a part of SVA and to continue to inspire and encourage players to become “volley-obsessed”.
Cassie Miller
Seattle Volleyball Academy
U15 National Assistant Coach
Coach Cassie - Seattle Volleyball Academy U15 National Assistant Coach
Coach Cassie grew up in Wisconsin as a 3-sport athlete, though volleyball always held a special place in her heart thanks to her father, who was also a coach.
In high school, she was a four-year varsity player who filled whatever role her team needed—playing setter, outside hitter, and middle blocker. Her versatile play earned her two First Team All-Conference honors, and she was named Player of the Year as a senior for her Conference.
Coach Cassie went on to play collegiate volleyball at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater before relocating to Seattle, where she reconnected with the sport through local indoor and outdoor leagues. She also joined the coaching staff at Lakeside High School this fall.
Coach Cassie is thrilled to join the SVA family and share her passion, knowledge, and experience with the team!
Coach Junior has been a youth sports coach for over 25 years. He started his career coaching boys’ and girls’ recreation volleyball and basketball. Coach Junior then moved on to coaching AAU basketball and high school football.
He has spent the last 10 years coaching girls’ volleyball in middle school and on select club teams including being the assistant coach on the SVA U16 National team in the 2022-23 season helping them to a 3rd-place finish in the 2023 14th Annual Summer Soiree in California.
Coach Junior is excited to be a part of the coaching staff with Seattle Volleyball Academy, where he will be instrumental in helping players build confidence, as well as improve their volleyball skills in a positive, and highly competitive team atmosphere.
Jr. KITIONA
Seattle Volleyball Academy
U14 National Head Coach
Coach Violet was a 4-year varsity player at Chief Sealth High School where she won all-league honors each season and helped lead her team to the 2A WIAA State Tournament over multiple years. She has served as a team captain on her high school team both her Junior and Senior years.
Coach Violet also played club volleyball for four years with Seattle Volleyball Academy. She helped her 17s National team earn bids to the USAV National Tournament. She is excited to be coaching for the program that helped shape her as a volleyball player.
Violet Lindow
U14 National Assistant Coach
Coach David brings years of experience in competitive athletics and the values of discipline, teamwork, and continuous growth. Volleyball quickly became a passion for David because of its dynamic pace and the strategy behind every point.
Coach David bringx a high level of energy, positivity, and a strong commitment to player development fostering a supportive environment to encourage hard work and help his U16 National Team feel confident on and off the court.
David Tsay
Seattle Volleyball Academy
U13 National Co-Head Coach
Coach Alida comes to us as a former Franklin High School player where she grew her love of the game.
After assisting with the SVA U16 National Team last season. Coach Alida is assisting on the U13 National team.
Coach Alida emphasizes teamwork, positivity, and a healthy approach to learning, ensuring each athlete has the tools to succeed both on and off the court.
Alida Muongchan
Seattle Volleyball Academy
U13 National Co-Head Coach
Nate Starlin
Coach Nate hails from Las Vegas where he started playing volleyball at a young age with various school and club teams. He continued his passion for the game while attending the University of Nevada, Reno, where he set for the men’s club team. After graduating he moved to Seattle and continued his passion for volleyball and moved into coaching where in addition to coaching for SVA he is also the Head Volleyball Coach at The Northwest School in Seattle.
He is excited to work with this young group of athletes and watch their development as individuals as well as team players. He looks forward to coaching for SVA in the years to come.
Seattle Volleyball Academy
U12. Assistant Coach
Rose Letofsky
Coach Rose comes to SVA from Minnesota where she grew up playing all variety of sports. She started playing volleyball in 6th grade and has not looked back. She spent three years on her high school’s Varsity team, playing anywhere in the back row, and had the honor of being Captain during her junior and senior years.
Going into college, Coach Rose decided to prioritize academics over playing, allowing her to get her degree from the University of Minnesota and to start her coaching career. Coach Rose started coaching in 2019 at the high school and club level, and has had the joy of working with many players to build their fundamentals, and increase their playing IQ and love for volleyball. Coach Rose is excited to join the SVA family and learn more about coaching.
Seattle Volleyball Academy
U11 Regional Assistant Coach
Jerome Arfaoui
Seattle Volleyball Academy
OH/Middle Training Coach
Coach Jerome began playing volleyball at just eight years old in Paris, France. Throughout his volleyball career he gained experience across multiple positions, most notably as an outside hitter and middle blocker. As a young professional, he competed at the national level, representing France on the U18 National Team, winning several national championships with his teams in France. He later attennded Michigan State University, where he played and earned recognition on the Big Ten Men’s Volleyball Association Championships, First Team (2009–2010).
After college, Jerome played at the senior semi-professional level in France. While competing semi-professionally, he began coaching youth players aged 8–10, introducing them to volleyball focusing on the fundamentals of the game.
His coaching philosophy centers on mindset, and personal growth, believing volleyball teaches lessons that extend far beyond the court. Originally from Paris, Jerome now lives in West Seattle, where he continues to share his lifelong passion for the sport. A multi-sport athlete, he has also competed in basketball, soccer, tennis, handball, karate, and swimming, experiences that shape his well-rounded approach to coaching.
McQella Adams
Seattle Volleyball Academy
Floater Coach
Coach McQella is a 2012 graduate from Doherty High School in Colorado Springs where she was a multisport athlete competing on the volleyball, and the swimming and diving team. She earned Colorado Springs Metro League honorable mention as a senior and helped her team become Metro League Champions. Was honored with the Most Improved award while at Doherty.
Coach McQella went on to play volleyball at Colorado College in Colorado Springs
where she played in 54 matches and 100 sets, recording 95 kills, 38 assists, 37 digs, and 35 blocks. She registered a career-high six blocks against Division II Colorado State University-Pueblo, and had a career-high 10 kills against Austin College. Coach McQella hit a career-best .833 attack percentage on five kills in six attempts against Centenary College and had a career-high four assists on two occasions and a career-high five digs against UC Santa Cruz. In her Senior year she was a team captain for the Tigers and earned her undergraduate degree in biology & ecology.
Coach McQella has coached all genders at the club and high school level, spending over 10 years with The Colorado Springs School, Team Colorado Volleyball, and prospective student camps at Colorado College. She is most excited to help SVA's players build solid volleyball acumen, develop confidence on and off the court, and learn to view "mistakes" as an opportunity to grow!
Makaela Smith
Seattle Volleyball Academy
Floater Coach
Coach Mak began her volleyball journey as a freshman at Garfield High School, where she quickly developed a deep passion for the
sport. As a middle blocker, she earned a varsity letter and received the Western Athletic Conference Scholar-Athlete Award for excellence both on the court and in the classroom. Continuing her athletic career, Makaelah played competitive club volleyball at Seattle University for four years.
Since 2019, Coach Mak has been coaching youth volleyball, focusing on skill development, teamwork, and fostering a lifelong love for the game. While she still enjoys competing in adult leagues as a hitter, she has recently found a new enthusiasm for passing. Coach Mak’s primary passion lies in mentoring young athletes and contributing to their growth within the sport.
Ben Turcinec
Floater Coach
Coach Ben hails from West Seattle and excelled in club and beach volleyball. After graduating from West Seattle High School Coach Ben attended and played volleyball at Park University in Gilbert Arizona, as well as Benedictine Mesa University. In the 2023 season Coach Turcinec earned honorable mention in the Cal Pac as well as becoming a captain during his Sophomore year.
Coach Ben continues to play competitive volleyball and has played for Semi pro teams such as the Phoenix Ascension and the Seattle Riptide in the Volleyball League of America. He has traveled across 7 different countries playing volleyball overseas, playing against multiple national teams.
In addition to leading our U17 Regional team Coach Turcenic is one of our Go Time Athletics volleyball instructors, and looks forward to working with all of our SVA teams.
Addison Zeissel
Floater Coach
Coach Addi attended Kennedy Catholic High School, where she was a 4-year varsity standout player. During her junior and senior seasons, she earned First Team All-league, honors and help lead her team to a 2nd place finish at State in 2024.
Coach Addi brings a wealth of experience as a player, where in addition to her High School experience, she played club volleyball for 8 years, 3 of those years playing at SVA. She loved the community and culture surrounding the club, and we are fortunate that she is continuing to be a part of our program as a coach to help our future players to grow into great players and people.
Coach Addi hopes to use her experience and knowledge of the sport to help support growing athletes in all aspects of volleyball. Her goal is to give players an opportunity to grow in their love for volleyball the same way she did!
Interested in Coaching for Seattle Volleyball Academy?
Seattle Volleyball Academy is always looking for qualified coaches. If you are interested in coaching and sharing your love of the game with our next generation of players please reach out to us for an interview. We would love the opportunity to work with you.
Please email gen@gotimeathletics.com
Please provide your contact info and your volleyball playing/coaching experience.
We look forward to meeting you!
