Our staff features exceptional people: teachers, educators, mentors, positive thinkers, and experienced volleyball minds. Our coaches share a deep passion for volleyball and view athletics as a vehicle by which many of life's lessons can be learned. We encourage you to read about our people, both here at LAVA North and also our LAVA staff as a whole.
KRISTIN DOLAN
CO DIRECTOR - LAVA NORTH
Lava North Director and celebrated Santa Clarita Valley volleyball star Kristin Dolan (née Gorman) is one of the community’s most beloved coaches. She has compiled in a relatively short time an extensive and impressive list of accomplishments at the club, high school, and college levels as a player and coach. Kristin is the current Varsity Girls Volleyball Head Coach at Valencia High School, in addition to serving as Director of LAVA North.
Director - LAVA North
(email) kristin.dolanlava@hotmail.com
(cell) 661-713-5123
FULL NAME: Kristin Marie Dolan
HOMETOWN: Santa Clarita
BEFORE LAVA/SMBC: My voice mail box was empty and my emails consisted of ads from American Eagle and Macy's...;)
COACHING BACKGROUND: I began coaching right after high school and have not stopped. Club and high school year round since I stopped playing in college. 18 years of club volleyball experience. 12 years of high school volleyball experience Notre Dame High School, Viewpoint School and currently at Valencia High School. 2 years of junior college experience.
PLAYING EXPERIENCE: I began club volleyball in the 5th grade and played through senior year. I spent 3 years at Pierce Junior college where we finished second in the state of California. I transferred to Cal State LA on a Scholarship and played 1 season.
FUN FACT: I love those terrible hallmark movies, especially the Christmas ones!
GUILTY PLEASURE: Wine, nachos and pizza... please!
MARY IRILIAN
CO DIRECTOR - LAVA NORTH
FULL NAME: Mary Irilian
HOMETOWN: Santa Clarita
BEFORE LAVA: I was working on my Master’s and was a Training Director for Bally Total Fitness (before LA Fitness bought them out).
COACHING EXPERIENCE: I have been coaching at Hart for 16 years and have been with LAVA for 10 years. I started coaching 15U for my first few years and have been the head 16’s coach for the past 8 years. I received Coach of the Year for Hart in 2006 and in 2019. My Hart program has a four year consecutive league title from 2017-2020. My 16 Adidas team won a Gold Medal at Junior Olympics in 2016.
PLAYING EXPERIENCE: I played at Hart High School from 1993-1996 and was part of the first ever league championship for the school in 1996. I earned 1st team all-league, All-Santa Clarita Team. I went on to play at College of the Canyons and helped my team win their first Conference championship in 1999 and earned top honors such as All Western Conference and All Southern Section.
FUN FACT: I have a relative that was once on America’s Top Mafia Bosses.
GUILTY PLEASURE: Watching Great British Baking Show
MEIGHANN MAHONEY
FULL NAME: Meighann Mahoney
HOMETOWN: Grew up in San Fernando Valley
BEFORE LAVA: Was a player for LAVA and have been in my post- graduate program
COACHING EXPERIENCE: Have coached for LAVA since 2019. Started as an assistant coach, worked with LAVA Lite and has worked for various LAVA areas such as North, South, and Shack as an assistant to 11U, 12U, 14U, and 15U teams. This year I am head coaching 17B for LAVA North and very excited for this opportunity.
PLAYING EXPERIENCE: Started playing for LAVA North 16’s year and continued through 18’s. Played at Occidental College as a Libero/DS.
FUN FACT: I am attending Law School
GUILTY PLEASURE: I love wearing hats.
CLAY TIMMONS
FULL NAME: Clay Patrick Timmons
HOMETOWN: Santa Clarita, Ca
BEFORE LAVA/SMBC: Grew up in Glendale, Ca. Played tennis, soccer, baseball and hockey. Moved to Valencia in 1995. Attended Valencia High School and played volleyball, graduated in 2003. Son of Kirby and Gloria Timmons, brother to Heath.
COACHING BACKGROUND: Started club volleyball coaching career with SC Elite in 2003, coached with them for three years. Coached for Revolution Volleyball Club in 2005 and 2006. Started coaching as a volunteer assistant in 2004 for College of the Canyons, became first assistant in 2007. Coached as first assistant until 2015, State Tournament Final Four Team for COC. Head Coach for College of the Canyons from 2016 to present. State Tournament appearances with COC as Head Coach in 2017 with an Elite 8 Semi-Final finish and recent 2021 State Tournament Elite 8 Quarter-Final finish. Have coached for Lava since its inception in 2012, Head Coach for 18 ADIDAS since 2014.
PLAYING EXPERIENCE: Graduated from Valencia High School in 2003, a member of the 2003 Valencia High Boys Volleyball CIF Championship Team, first CIF Title for the School. Played Outside Hitter and Libero for 2006 Semi-Final Santa Monica College Team.
FUN FACT: I’m a twin, fraternal of course haha. Tennis was my first sport.
GUILTY PLEASURE: Not sure how to answer, but I love food.
ZACH AMBROSE
FULL NAME: Zachary Ambrose
HOMETOWN: Saugus, CA
BEFORE LAVA/SMBC: I have been with LAVA North from the beginning. Before that I coached with SMBC.
COACHING EXPERIENCE: 26 years of coaching experience, including all ages in club, high school, and college. I am currently the head coach for the Saugus High School girls program.
PLAYING EXPERIENCE: I played in high school (Saugus) and college (Pasadena City College) before my coaching career began.
FUN FACT: I have visited 27 islands around the world.
GUILTY PLEASURE: Reading
NATE SPARKS
FULL NAME: Nathan James sparks
MY HOMETOWN: Valencia, CA, but born in Tempe Arizona
BEFORE LAVA/SMBC: Been coaching for LAVA since I was 18. Took a 2 year hiatus and lived in Brazil during that time.
COACHING BACKGROUND: 2007-2011 girls varsity west ranch, 2008-2017 boys varsity west ranch, 2012-present assistant at college of the canyons. Also coached many current and past lava coaches.
PLAYING EXPERIENCE: 2 years high school at Valencia high school. 2003 CIF Champion starting middle blocker.
FUN FACT: I’m fluent in 3 languages. Ask to find out which ones.
GUILTY PLEASURES: sweets
EBONY BOLDEN
FULL NAME: Ebony Bolden
HOMETOWN: Woodland Hills, CA
BEFORE LAVA/SMBC: I got more sleep!
COACHING BACKGROUND: I began my coaching career in 2007, coaching both high school and club. I have ample experience coaching 12s through 18s and both Varsity and JV level volleyball. I am currently the Varsity assistant at Valencia High School after spending 8 year at Notre Dame and 7 years at Valencia High School.
PLAYING EXPERIENCE:.I played my high school career at Chatsworth High as middle blocker. I continued my playing career at Pierce College where we finished 2nd in the state.
FUN FACT: I get very little sleep and still function at a very high level!
GUILTY PLEASURE: candy! Vampire and Witch TV shows!
ADAM BURGER
FULL NAME: Adam Burger
HOMETOWN: Santa Clarita, CA
COACHING BACKGROUND: Started coaching volleyball at Golden Valley for both boys and girls until 2018. I have had three successful seasons as the head coach for Highland High School. I have coached all levels from 12U to 17U for LAVA North
PLAYING EXPERIENCE: Played at Canyon High School under Brian Ingino.
FUN FACT: Hiking and Travel Enthusiast
GUILTY PLEASURE: Haikyu
BRITTANI ELSER
FULL NAME: Brittani Elser
HOMETOWN: Santa Clarita, CA
BEFORE LAVA: Just finished a State Championship title in 2012 for Pierce College.
COACHING EXPERIENCE: Started coaching in 2012 for LAVA with years of assisting local parks and rec clinics. I have contributed to several roles for the club including LAVA Lite and Juniors program, administrative work, and coaching for SMBC as well. This season, I will be assisting the 13U girls team and helping with the 16U SMBC boys team.
PLAYING EXPERIENCE: Played at Hart High School and was on varsity all four years earning CIF First team All- League and Team MVP in 2011. I still hold the serving ace record for the Hart program. I continued on to play for Nabil Mardini at Pierce College having a successful record of 33-0 in 2012 and earning the coaches award back to back years during my time at Pierce along with 2013’s First team All Conference and Team MVP.
FUN FACT: I am an avid Hallmark Channel viewer
GUILTY PLEASURE: Vegas Slots
LISA HOOPER
FULL NAME: Lisa Hooper
HOMETOWN: Santa Clarita, CA
BEFORE LAVA: Professor of Kinesiology, Physical Ed, and Health at College of the Canyons since 1997. I also taught at Pepperdine, Long Beach State, National University, and Pasadena City College.
COACHING EXPERIENCE: I was the head coach for Women’s Volleyball at College of the Canyons from 1997-2015, earning five Western State conference Championships and two appearances in the State finals. I was named Coach of the Year five times and have had numerous athletes recognized as All-Conference, All-Southern Section, and All-State. I have also coached two AVCA All-Americans.
PLAYING EXPERIENCE: I attended both Village Christian and Canyon High School where I earned All-League, All-Santa Clarita Valley, and All-CIF honors for volleyball.
FUN FACT: I am a published poet
GUILTY PLEASURE: Drinking fine wine.
SANDRA DUARTE
FULL NAME: Sandra Duarte
HOMETOWN: Valencia, CA
BEFORE LAVA/SMBC: I graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute with a BS and MS in Biomedical Engineering.
COACHING BACKGROUND: During my summers in college, I spent my time head coaching girls volleyball summer camps at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where I coached girls from the ages of 12 to 16.
PLAYING EXPERIENCE: I started off my volleyball career playing 3 years of Varsity volleyball at Hart High School, and 2 of those years also playing at LAVA. After graduating from high school, I moved on to play college volleyball at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where I received multiple All Tournament honors.
FUN FACT: I have travelled to 32 states and 7 countries
GUILTY PLEASURE: Overpriced lattes
SEAN PARCHEJO
FULL NAME: Sean Parchejo
HOMETOWN: Pampanga, Philippines
BEFORE LAVA: Coached at Golden Valley
COACHING EXPERIENCE: Six years of high school. Second year as the Varsity coach for Golden Valley Girls Volleyball. First year coaching at LAVA North 14U team.
PLAYING EXPERIENCE: I played at Saugus High School and college club at CSUN.
FUN FACT: I grew up doing musical theater
GUILTY PLEASURE: TikTok and volleyball open gyms
Bio coming soon.
LEXI CHABINIAK
FULL NAME: Lexi Chabiniak
HOMETOWN: Valencia, CA
BEFORE LAVA/SMBC: I went to San Francisco State University for two years before transferring to Boise State and graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Marketing.
COACHING BACKGROUND: I recently finished my first season as assistant and head coaching for the JV Girls Volleyball team at Hart. I have been helping with clinics and POD training at LAVA for the past year. This is my first season officially head coaching and assistant coaching for a club team.
PLAYING EXPERIENCE: I started playing volleyball when I was 10 years old and started playing on my first club team at 11 years old. I played high school and club volleyball until I was 18 and going to college. I started my freshman season as a walk on for a Division 2 team at SFSU and ended the season as a starter. After my freshman year playing I took time away from volleyball to focus on school and work. I then transferred to Boise State where I played club volleyball my junior year.
FUN FACT: I speak fluent Polish.
GUILTY PLEASURE: Harry Styles
Bio coming soon.
SAVANNAH RENNIE
Full Name: Savannah Rennie
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Before LAVA: Played at Cal Berkeley from 2015-2019, then transferred to Marquette from 2020-2021 for my master’s and to finish my eligibility.
Coaching Background: I am currently on staff as the volunteer assistant at USC. I have coached numerous camps at Cal Berkeley and Marquette as well as summer volleyball camps throughout my high school and college years.
Playing Experience: I played for Wave Volleyball a club and at Torrey Pines High School in San Diego. I traveled to Croatia, Italy, Slovenia, and Mexico to compete with the USA Youth National Team. I then played at the University of California, Berkeley from 2015-2019. After graduating with my undergraduate degree, I transferred to Marquette for my remaining eligibility and to earn my master’s. I played at Marquette from July 2020-Dec 2021.
Fun Fact: I played baseball (not softball) till I was 13/14 years old.
Guilty Pleasure: Chocolate and French fries.
CAROLINE PAGE
FULL NAME: Caroline Page
HOMETOWN: Santa Clarita
BEFORE LAVA: Was a student working on my Bachelor’s in Kinesiology from Cal State Univ. Northridge (CSUN).
COACHING EXPERIENCE: This is my 4th year coaching at LAVA. I have just finished my 2nd year coaching at Valencia High School as the JV coach. I am currently assisting the 14 Adidas team and Head coaching the 15 black team this year.
PLAYING EXPERIENCE: Notre Dame High School 2012-2016, Played for LAVA and earned two medals at Junior Qualifiers. Played at College of the Canyons as earned All Tournament Team at the State Tournament as well as 2nd team from 2017-2018. Continued to play at CSUN from 2018-2020 as a Libero/DS and was named on the 2019 Big West Academic All Conference Team.
FUN FACT: Currently working at Robert Frost Middle School in Granada Hills
GUILTY PLEASURE: Silly Putty
EMILY HANNA
FULL NAME: Emily Hanna
HOMETOWN: Valencia, CA
COACHING BACKGROUND: This is my first year coaching. I feel my volleyball career coming to an end, but I could not let it go. I started coaching for lava lites and juniors and that is where I learned to love coaching. I hope to learn more from this experience.
PLAYING EXPERIENCE: I have played volleyball for eight years. I recently played at College of The Canyons and we went to state!
FUN FACT: I’m Russian AND Egyptian
GUILTY PLEASURE: Strawberry apple sauce, chewing gum 24/7... and Irish cheese.
RUBY DUNCAN
FULL NAME: Ruby Duncan
HOMETOWN: Santa Clarita, CA
BEFORE LAVA: Student and Player
COACHING EXPERIENCE: Second year at LAVA and have assisted with Clinics and Juniors program. Coaching volleyball at Legacy Christian Academy Middle School program.
PLAYING EXPERIENCE: Started Volleyball in the 7th grade. Played at LAVA from 14’s and was on Varsity at Hart High School all four years and earned a 4x4 award and Player of the Year award. Currently play for The Master’s University.
FUN FACT: My high school team won League three years in a row. First ever for consecutive titles at Hart High School.
GUILTY PLEASURE: Eating raw cookie dough
MELANIE GOERES
FULL NAME: Melanie Goeres
HOMETOWN: Santa Clarita, CA
BEFORE LAVA: I played volleyball at Saugus High School and graduated in 2020.
COACHING BACKGROUND: This is my second year coaching. Last year I assisted the 16 Black.
PLAYING EXPERIENCE: I started playing volleyball when I was 12. I continued to play for LAVA for 5 years and played for Saugus High School for 4 years.
FUN FACT: I love to write, draw, and paint!
GUILTY PLEASURE: I love reality TV shows.