OK PREMIER 2023-2024
Coaching Staff
Coaches
11 Diamonds: Grace Thompson
Assistant: Emma Moore
12 Diamonds: Hailey Wilson
Assistant: Brooke Page
12 National: Faith Davis
12 Purple: Katelynn Pearson
12 Purple: Rachel Parrish
13 Diamonds: Nichole Powell
Assistant: Tammy Powell
13 National: Kearra Zachary
Assistant: Cearra Zachary
13 Purple: Sophia Walker
13 Purple: Rebekah Davenport
13 Purple: Brooklynne Werkne
13 Purple: Matthew Brimer
14 Diamonds: Stacey Upchurch
Assistant: Sadie Schuh
14 National: Tyler Walker
Assistant: Alica Britt
14 Purple: Hailey Wilson
14 Purple: Angela Madory
14 Purple: Cearra Zachary
15 Diamonds: Brooke Page
Assistant: Katelynn Caldwell
15 National: Hayden Millerick
15 Purple: Brandon Battle
16 Diamonds: Paul Page
Assistant: Kearra Zachary
16 National: Megan Guzlas
17 Diamonds: Brandy White
Assistant: Brooklynne Werkne
18 Diamonds: Mel Potts
Assistant: Trey Potts
Check out their Bios below
OK Premier Coaching Staff
All OK Premier coaches are listed in alphabetical order below
Coach Brandon Battle - 15 Purple
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Brandon has spent most of his time with the Premier Youth League, coaching various teams from Prep to Power. Before his time at Premier, he played co-ed indoor volleyball in leagues and tournaments, and pick up sand volleyball since high school. He also spent time coaching volleyball at the Earlywine Park YMCA. Brandon is passionate about helping others succeed and growing the love of volleyball in every child. Brandon has a diversified heritage, being half Filipino and a proud Cherokee Nation Citizen and has lived his entire life in the OKC metro area. Brandon is married to Andrea Battle and together they raise 4 school-aged children in Choctaw, OK. Outside of volleyball, he runs a team of network engineers at a local IT firm and has spent over 20 years in IT, works with the Choctaw High School Band Boosters, enjoys playing piano and working with various other crafts.
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Coach Alicia Britt - 14 National Assistant
Alicia has been involved with volleyball since she was in junior high school. Her playing career culminated as a member of the varsity volleyball team at James Martin HS in Arlington, TX.
For over 10 years, Alicia has served as an assistant coach in Plano, TX at the Plano Sports Authority and as head coach in Norman, OK as part of the Norman Junior Jammers Volleyball league.
Alicia is passionate about helping young women learn important life skills through volleyball (teamwork, persistence, poise, and communication). Additionally, she emphasizes developing strong fundamental volleyball skills while learning the value of positive competition and teamwork. Alicia enjoys finding new ways to work on these skills and sharing them with her players.
For over 10 years, Alicia has served as an assistant coach in Plano, TX at the Plano Sports Authority and as head coach in Norman, OK as part of the Norman Junior Jammers Volleyball league.
Alicia is passionate about helping young women learn important life skills through volleyball (teamwork, persistence, poise, and communication). Additionally, she emphasizes developing strong fundamental volleyball skills while learning the value of positive competition and teamwork. Alicia enjoys finding new ways to work on these skills and sharing them with her players.
Coach Katelynn Caldwell - 15 Diamonds Assistant
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This is my fourth year coaching for OK Premier. I have played volleyball for 10 years including two years of college volleyball. I graduated with my bachelors in Kinesiology and plan to continue my education to get my masters in Occupational Therapy.
I am so pumped to be coaching for such an awesome group of coaches and players. I look forward to creating memories and experiences with each and every person I come in contact with through the great sport that we all love. Volleyball isn’t about the wins and losses but about the way God’s light shines through on and off the court. “When you’re all in, there is no limit to what God can accomplish through you.” I am also mom to a two year old boy who already loves being at the gym. |
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Coach Rebekah Davenport/Assistant Jeremy Davenport - 13 Purple
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Rebekah has been coaching Youth League at Premier for about a year. Last session her team went undefeated and took 1st place! Rebekah's husband, Jeremy is going to join in and assist this season. He coaches football and is great with stats.
She loves kids and is a natural encourager. Her coaching philosophy is to nurture the person not just the player. She played volleyball as a setter throughout Middle School and High School. Her love of the game runs deep and you can find her playing ball with the kids on Open Gym nights. She's excited to continue her love for the game at the club level this season. When she’s not in the gym you can find her busting out some karaoke! So if you’re looking for a singer for your next bar mitzvah, she’s your gal! |
Coach Angela Madory - 14 Purple
Coach Madory is a long time resident of Oklahoma raising her 3 amazing kids and coaching volleyball all around the state. Coach Madory holds one of the highest honors in volleyball with a High School State Title. She not only coached in High School but she went on to coach in college at Seminole State and 2 years internationally. She started it all spending 16 years with junior high. In addition to volleyball Coach Madory has ran High School and JR High Soccer programs. She has a passion for recruitment and can't wait to help guide these girls right into college.
Coach Hayden Millerick - 15 Nationals
This is my second year coaching club volleyball. I look forward to continuing to bring my knowledge of the game to more people. I grew up playing sand volleyball and indoor volleyball in Southern California, where I played varsity high school and club volleyball for four years. I have had the privilege of playing with and being coached by many elite volleyball players, and I have learned so much that I hope to pass on to players looking to grow their volleyball careers. I also play on the OU club volleyball team.
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Coach Markus Mills
Markus has been active in sports all of his life. He has played golf, basketball and baseball throughout middle school and high school. Markus attended Norman North High School and graduated in 2013. He has been an assistant coach for our National teams during the 2011-2017 seasons. He played men's volleyball for Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis, Missouri. Markus is Impact, SafeSport, CAP 1 and CAP 11 certified. He is excited to be assisting with the all the teams again this year.
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Coach Patty Mills
Patty is Impact, Beach and SafeSport certified. She has been around volleyball since 1992 when she married her husband, Pete Mills. She has assisted with many of his teams, including the Boys Junior Olympic teams and girls teams of all levels. She is one of the proud owners of OK Premier and has been a primary hand in the development of our club and the Crosspointe youth leagues. In addition to her volleyball experience, she grew up in El Reno and graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a degree in elementary education. She served for 13 years as the children's director at Goodrich Memorial United Methodist Church. She has two boys, Jace who lives in Norman with his wife and son and Markus who also lives in Norman.
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Coach Peter MillsPete is a 1977 graduate of Norman High School and has been involved in community sports and recreation for more than 45 years. After graduation, Pete worked for the Norman Parks and Recreation Department, Norman Public Schools and as a volunteer for the Norman Optimist Club, where he coached and played the usual baseball, basketball, softball and the unusual World Freestyle Frisbee and Team Handball. In 1984, Pete started part time for United Parcel Service and has been full time since June 1986. In 1985-1986 while coaching 7th grade boys basketball at Whittier, Pete was asked to coach 7th grade girls volleyball. The Whittier girls team was undefeated, and the nucleus of this Whittier team, as seniors at Norman High School, won a state 5A High School championship, a perfect 51-0.
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Pete met his wife Patty in 1991. Patty adopted the 11 boys on the club team and planned their wedding and honeymoon around volleyball tournaments, practices and a trip to Chicago for an AAU tournament. Married 31 years, they have two sons — Jace, who lives in Norman with his wife and son, and Markus.
Pete is a member of USAV, CAP 1, Beach IMPACT and SafeSport Certified, member AVCA and JVA.
Volleyball Highlights:
2013 USAV Girls Nationals with OKPremier 12s and 14s teams
2014 USAV GJNC 15s,
2014 AAU 13s,14s,15s
Playing club ball at OU for coach Tom Hilbert, now the head coach at Colorado State
Two trips to USA Jr. Nationals with 14s and 18s boys.
One trip to AAU Nationals with 18s boys in1992
Co-founder with Brandy White of the Crosspointe Winter Youth League
President/Co-founder of Oklahoma Premier Volleyball Club
Pete is a member of USAV, CAP 1, Beach IMPACT and SafeSport Certified, member AVCA and JVA.
Volleyball Highlights:
2013 USAV Girls Nationals with OKPremier 12s and 14s teams
2014 USAV GJNC 15s,
2014 AAU 13s,14s,15s
Playing club ball at OU for coach Tom Hilbert, now the head coach at Colorado State
Two trips to USA Jr. Nationals with 14s and 18s boys.
One trip to AAU Nationals with 18s boys in1992
Co-founder with Brandy White of the Crosspointe Winter Youth League
President/Co-founder of Oklahoma Premier Volleyball Club
Emma graduated from WestMoore High School where she had won heart of the team her junior year. She is continuing her education at the University of Oklahoma working on becoming a physician assistant. Emma played volleyball for 8 years as a DS/Setter and enjoyed playing at Premier. She knew she wanted to coach and began her coaching year last year. She is excited to be coaching the 11 Diamonds this year.
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Coach Paul Page - 16 DiamondsPaul works full time as an IT Project Manager for a local Bank. He has played Volleyball for more than 38 years, both indoor and sand. He also has participated in adult tournaments in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Tulsa and Oklahoma City area. Paul is certified in Impact, SafeSport and Concussion in Sports along with membership with USAV and AAU. He has coached Girls Competitive Volleyball (club) for 7 years, starting at Stingray coaching the 12 regional team (took 9th overall at OKRV Regional), then moved to OK Premier Volleyball, where he has coached the 12 National, 13 National and 13 Diamond’s. When time allow he coaches Youth League Volleyball. He hopes to install in his players a passion for the game and push them to their full potential, whether that maybe playing for years to come or even coaching the games in the years to come. His coaching philosophy is best expressed with this: “It is teamwork that gives us the ultimate competitive advantage in sports and in life.”
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Coach Brooke Page - 15 Diamonds
This is my fourth year head coaching at Ok Premier. The past three seasons I have been the 11 Diamonds Head Coach. All three years, I led my team to a top 4 Regional finish. We took 2nd overall at regionals this past season as well as placing in the top half of AAU Nationals the past two years. I assisted the 15 Diamonds two seasons ago and we were the 2022 AAU National Runner-Up's. I played varsity at Westmoore High School all four years and won numerous awards. I played club volleyball from 10-18s. I played for almost 13 years combined before deciding to coach. I was the head JV and Freshman coach and assistant Varsity coach for CCS in Norman. During my time at CCS HS, we were the 4A State Runner Ups in 2022. I am currently the 7th and 8th grade coach at CCS Junior High. I currently attend MACU as an Elementary Education major and will graduate this May! I am certified in Impact Sports, Bullying/Inappropriate behaviors, cardiac arrest, concussion in sports, and heat illness. I have a huge passion for coaching and am super excited to get this season started! |
Coach Abby Potts - 13 Purple Assistant
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This is my first year coaching club volleyball! I have played volleyball for ten years, including some amazing seasons here at Premier. I was an all around player throughout my years in club and I specialized in setting and middle blocking. I have coached and reffed Youth League at Premier and I am so excited to begin coaching club! I fell in love with volleyball when I was seven years old and my main goal in coaching is to share my love for the game.
Some of my volleyball highlights include: - Being team captain throughout my years in volleyball. - Winning OKRVA Regionals in 2021 (16s Open Division). - Having one of the fastest serves in the gym. - Placing 2nd in the Rockin' It 'Til Midnight dance category in 2022. - Making some of the best friends I still have today! |
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Coach Mel and Trey Potts - 18 DiamondsWe are excited to start our sixth year coaching at OK Premier. Premier has become part of our family and we are grateful for this opportunity to coach at Premier. We believe in developing players who improve their game season after season but also develop core guidelines that will help them from now and into adulthood. Volleyball is more than just a sport, volleyball (and sports in general) can teach us so many life lessons.
Trey and Mel Potts have been married for 26 years and have three children. They have played on several co-ed volleyball leagues, and Mel played volleyball in high school. Together they have coached sports at the YMCA before moving over to the club world. They love sports in general and enjoy spending time with friends and family. Let's goooooo!!! Club coaching highlight: Their 16s team was OKRVA Regional Champions in the Open Division during the '20-'21 season. Trey and Mel are Impact certified, Care and Prevention certified, CPR/FirstAid certified, and SafeSport certified as well as members of USAV. |
Coach Nichole Powell
Nichole is a 2011 graduate from Noble High School. She has played volleyball since she was in 6th grade and club throughout high school. Nichole then played two years of college volleyball at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. She now attends the University of Oklahoma in pursuit of a degree in physical therapy. School volleyball teams. She is Impact and SafeSport Certified. Nichole coached the 16s and the 12 Diamonds. She enjoys taking her experience of the game and technique and pushing the girls to be the best they can be!
Grace graduated from WestMoore High School where she played on the varsity volleyball team. Her senior year she was voted MVP by her teammates. She is currently attending the University of Oklahoma majoring in Elementary Education. She wants to teach while coaching high school volleyball. Grace has been playing volleyball since the age of 10. She played with Premier her entire volleyball career 13's through 17's. Grace then started her coaching career with Premier Youth League for ages 5 to 13. She was also the assistant coach for Premier 14 Diamonds. "Premier is a place that has always felt like home!"
Coach Stacey Upchurch - 14 Diamonds
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Stacey Upchurch has coached and shared the love of volleyball to student-athletes for more than 20 years. She has coached all age groups but has found a real niche for the middle-school age. Her specialty was a setting coach for years but has taken on head coach positions the last few years. Her focus for every team she coaches is to bring discipline, skill, and love for the sport back to the game.
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Coach Sophia Walker - 13 Purple
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Sophia first played volleyball at the age of 11 during a one day clinic at summer camp, causing her to absolutely fall in love with the sport. She began playing club volleyball at Premier that same year up through her 15s year, which ended early due to an injury. Since her dad is also a volleyball coach, she has been subjected to the world of coaching since she was 12 years old. She would sit at the table talking rotations, positions, strategy, statistics, drills and practice plans for all of the teams he would coach. She coached her first Youth League team in 2020. She has moved from the kitchen table to be court side, assisting her dad with coaching his club team as well as his middle school teams too. In 2021 she started working with 14Diamonds as the assistant coach. Coaching is a joy and passion that she hopes to turn into a career as time goes on.
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Coach Tyler Walker - 14 National
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Tyler is a native Oklahoma, having lived most of his life in Norman. He always has enjoyed the game of volleyball and had the pleasure of being coached by Pete Mills in 1991-1992. Tyler is a devoted husband and a loving father of two. He began his coaching in 2017 as an assistant for the 12 Silver team. His desire to coach continued when he took the position as the head volleyball coach for Longfellow Middle School, followed by a teaching position with the school in 2018. His passion to teach drives him to help others see their full potential. With patience, hard work and dedication, Tyler longs to help everyone to be their best on and off the court.
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Brooklynne Wernke - 12 National and 17 Diamonds Assistant
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During my volleyball career, I played for fourteen years. Throughout my playing career, I began to advance in to coaching. Coaching the youth league program through Premier was just the beginning. During the three years, I continued to grow into a coach I always wanted to have. Having the knowledge of being a player was a major asset to my growth. I also was able to coach at the club level for the 2021-2022 season. Coaching the 13 and 15 National team as the
assistant coach was a dream come true. My goal is to grow the mental and physical aspect of volleyball to all the athletes at a young age. I want to challenge and reward the youth to be goal driven and have discipline throughout their lives. Coaching is inspiring and a blessing in my life. |
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Coach Blayne White
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My families love for volleyball and passion to develop their own club has left me sleeping under Ref stands as a young child and had me turning into your ultimate gym rat. Growing up around volleyball, I have developed a deep respect for teaching proper technique and understanding the complexity of the strategy behind the game. I have had the opportunity to learn from some of the best coaches and being able to absorb their knowledge of the game. I have assisted 3 years and am excited to continue learning and developing as a coach myself.
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Coach Brandy White - 17 DiamondsBrandy has been married to Wes White for 20 years and is the proud mother of four children. In addition to that, Brandy is one of the owners of Premier Sportsplex, following her dream to grow the game of volleyball and mentoring through sports and fitness. She was the director of CrossPointe Community Center for six years. She grew up in Noble and played volleyball there, graduating in 2000. Brandy received a volleyball scholarship to Redlands Community College and played there in 2000-2001. In 2002, she was offered the Freshman coaching job at Noble and assisted Darla Smith with the JV and Varsity. Brandy's first coaching job with club was in 2002. She is the co-founder of the CrossPointe Winter Youth League and Premier Youth League, serving more than 1500 girls and boys grades K-12 a year. In addition to being the Co-Founder of OK Premier Volleyball, she also serves on the board as the Vice President, Treasure and Coaching Director.
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Brandy has coached the 11's, 13's, 14's, 15's, 16's, 17's & 18's National teams over the past years, placing 2nd at Nationals, winning the Regional bid with her 15's and 18's, placing third at the ShowMe National Qualifier with her 14's, and 9th at Colorado Crossroads National Qualifier with her 13's and has never placed lower than third in our State's Regional Competition. All of her 18's received scholarships to go on and play volleyball in college. She has had many of her players make the OK HP teams and had the 15s MVP of the Regional Tournament. Her players have made National A2 Teams and A3 National Teams, and one player made one of the eight spots available on the JVA National Team. Two of her players received the JVA National College Scouting Athletes Leadership grant, and three received the JVA Leadership award. Seven of her players have been on the JVA watch List, and 7 was AAU Academic All Americans. Brandy has competed in the USAV Girls Junior National Tournaments and the AAU National Tournaments every year placing 2nd at Nationals out of 200 teams. Brandy also enjoys working the National HP Tryouts and has enjoyed the opportunities training with and learning from Coach Miles Pabst, former OU head Volleyball Coach. Another highlight was meeting Coach Russ Rose of Penn State, NCAA Women’s Volleyball National Champions, when he visited CrossPointe. Brandy has certifications in the following: Impact, CAP 1, CAP 11, SafeSport, Youth and Adolescents fitness and nutrition, CPR and First Aid and also a member of USAV, JVA and AVCA.
Coach Hailey Wilson - 12 Diamonds and 14 Purple
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Hailey Wilson has been coaching for four years. She has experience coaching 11s through 15s. She recently moved from DFW where she coached the Freshmen and JV teams at Pantego Christian Academy and assisted the state runner-up Varsity Team. Hailey played for Monahan's High School as a DS, where she helped lead her team to 2 District Championships and the Sweet 16 back-to-back years. Hailey has her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Oklahoma, as well as, her Master's Degree in Counseling from WTAMU. She believes that if an athlete feels safe, cared for, and appreciated then they are able to play to the best of their ability. Hailey values discipline, clear expectations, communication when it comes to coaching, and feels that it is important to train athletes mentally, as well as, physically. |
Coach Cearra Zachary - 13 National Assistant and 14 Purple
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I’m Cearra Zachary. I have been playing volleyball since I was twelve. I have played school ball with Noble and with OKC Storm attending homeschool nationals with OKC Storm for 2 seasons. I played club with Premier and Elite. I also played beach volleyball for 7 years attending beach nationals in Wisconsin/California/Florida. This will be my second year as a head coach. I have always loved this sport and have always been interested in coaching. I’m excited to see them all grow together and not only on the court but off the court also.
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Coach Cynthia Zachary - 13 National Assistant
I'm Coach Cynthia. This will be my first year assisting my daughters Cearra and Kearra with the 13 Nationals team. I previously was an assistant coach for an 11s team in the 2016/17 season. I love what the sport of volleyball has given to my family and watching the successes (and disappointments) help shape my girls to where they are today. Outside of volleyball, my main passion is spending time with my girls and extended family. I also love to travel and experience new adventures. I am looking forward to this season with the 13 Nationals and watching the players grow and become more confident in volleyball. My philosophy is that there is always something to learn in every situation. Win or Lose.
Coach Kearra Zachary - 13 Nationals and 16 Diamonds Assistant
I'm Coach Kearra. I have been playing volleyball since I was 9. I have played school ball with OKC Storm attending Homeschool Nationals for 6 seasons. My favorite accomplishment in school ball was winning Homeschool Nationals my sophomore year. I played club volleyball and attended Nationals several years. My proudest accomplishment for club ball was winning the Minzuno Cross Court tournament my 17's year where I got 11 kills and 20 digs in the final match for the championship.
I also played beach volleyball for 9 years attending beach nationals in Wisconsin, California, Florida and Alabama. My fondest accomplishment in beach volleyball is winning the Silver Bracket in the AVP America Nationals 2021 in Florida after 3 days of playing with the last day playing 5 matches. It pushed me mentally, as well as, physically.
This is my third year coaching and can't wait for this season to start. Ever since I played my first volleyball game at Junior Jammers I have loved this sport. I have played every position and look forward to helping these girls become the best they can. I am attending Randall University and playing volleyball.
I also played beach volleyball for 9 years attending beach nationals in Wisconsin, California, Florida and Alabama. My fondest accomplishment in beach volleyball is winning the Silver Bracket in the AVP America Nationals 2021 in Florida after 3 days of playing with the last day playing 5 matches. It pushed me mentally, as well as, physically.
This is my third year coaching and can't wait for this season to start. Ever since I played my first volleyball game at Junior Jammers I have loved this sport. I have played every position and look forward to helping these girls become the best they can. I am attending Randall University and playing volleyball.
If you are interested in coaching for OK Premier,
contact us at okpremier@gmail.com for more information.
OK Premier Board of Directors
President/Club Director: Peter Mills
Vice-President/Treasurer: Brandy White
Secretary/Club Administrator: Patty Mills
Parent Liaison: Laura Thompson
Facility & Equipment Coord.: Wes White
Public Relations: Rob Thompson
Director of Coaching: Brandy White
Team and Tournament Coord: Patty Mills
Vice-President/Treasurer: Brandy White
Secretary/Club Administrator: Patty Mills
Parent Liaison: Laura Thompson
Facility & Equipment Coord.: Wes White
Public Relations: Rob Thompson
Director of Coaching: Brandy White
Team and Tournament Coord: Patty Mills