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2024-25 MAC Volleyball

Fall Volleyball & Pre-Season Events

2024-25 Club Season Meet & Greet
Monday, September 30th  |  6 - 8 p.m.

MAC Volleyball invites new and returning families to spend an evening learning about the club volleyball program, geared toward youths ages 8-18. Families can come meet coaches and get information about the upcoming season, including tryouts, tournament & practice schedules, overall commitment, and more. Guests are welcome, and light refreshments are available.
Members: Register for Meet & Greet here
Non-members: Please email Volleyball@themac.com to get registered.

2024 Volleyball Meet & Greet

Skills & Pre-tryout Clinics 
September & October

Open to current MAC members. These clinics cover individual skill training, such as passing defense, hitting, and serving. Athletes learn proper footwork and timing, efficiency of movement, and general game-play.

Pre-Tryout Clinics
Shake out the pre-tryout nerves and come meet the 2024-25 MAC Volleyball coaches! These clinics are intended for those who plan to try out for MAC Volleyball teams in November. Coaches cover a variety of skills to get athletes ready for tryouts. Guests are allowed.

2024 Volleyball Pre-Tryout Clinics

September 29th October 6th October 27th Junior Open Play is on Sundays from 12-2pm through October. Depending on group size, athletes will be split by age/ability. No registration required. 

2024-25 Club Team Tryouts

Non-Members: Please check out this information on our Athletic Membership here.

12-14U Team Tryouts - Sunday, November 10th

Please note: The 12-14U ages typically include ages 8-12 (for 12U) and 12-14 (for 14U). Each athlete should double check the USAV Age Definition Chart to make sure. Athletes are allowed to play up an age division, but cannot play down without a special age-waiver (must be approved by the club and region). There are also certain requirements for male players looking to play on a girls' team. Please check CEVA's website for more information. 

15-18U Team Tryouts - Sunday, November 17th

  • Tryouts for all 15-18U teams: 10am-3:30pm
    All of our 15-18U teams will be "traveling" to some degree. Athletes and families should make themselves familiar with the difference between our "Elite" and "Premier" teams. We typically do not offer "Select" teams in the 15-18U age levels. 

Please note: The 15-18U ages typically include ages 14-16 (for 15/16U) and 16-18 (for 18U). Each athlete should double check the USAV Age Definition Chart to make sure. Athletes are allowed to play up an age division, but cannot play down without a special age-waiver (must be approved by the club and region). There are also certain requirements for male players looking to play on a girls' team. Please check CEVA's website for more information.

A NOTE ABOUT TRAVELING vs NON-TRAVELING TEAMS:

In order to better serve our athletes, we are changing the format of tryouts so that we can better form teams with similar commitment & goals for their season. Those attending a traveling team tryout will need to sign a contract ahead of time that they understand the commitment of what it means to be on a traveling team. Athletes wanting to tryout for a traveling team will need to commit to the full tournament & practice schedule. For multi-sport athletes, this means that you will be prioritizing the volleyball schedule over any other sports/activities. 

For our 15-18U ages, all teams are "traveling" to some degree. "Elite" teams will have more travel tournaments than "Premier" teams. If you are interested in trying out for an "Elite" team, please make yourself familiar with the schedule once it is posted. Athletes interested in being on an Elite team will be signing a separate contract at tryouts that states that they understand the schedule commitment (2-3 tournaments per month, some out of state travel, and 3 practices per week). If an athlete cannot commit to the posted schedule, they should not consider an Elite team.

We will also be offering a non-traveling team tryout at the 12-14U level, which is best suited for those athletes who are multi-sport and/or prefer not to attend anything other than 1-day tournaments. 

What do I need for tryouts?

  • Register for tryouts. MAC Members use links above. Non-members: Please email Volleyball@themac.com to inquire about this year's tryouts.

  • 2024-25 CEVA/USAV Junior Membership

    • Must update for each season.

    • Tryout OR full memberships are fine (tryout memberships are recommended as all memberships are non-refundable)

    • Turning 18 during the school year: If a player is turning 18 before 6/30/25, they will need the CEVA 18s Player Membership.

  • CEVA Concussion Form (found under "INCIDENTS/INJURIES/MEDICAL")

  • CEVA Medical Release Form  (found under "INCIDENTS/INJURIES/MEDICAL")

  • Kneepads, athletic attire, court shoes, water bottle, healthy snack, necessary medications/inhalers. Please eat a good dinner before tryouts and something light & nutritious the morning of tryouts. No crop-tops, long fake nails, or large/dangling jewelry (no hoops or chain necklaces/bracelets). 

Club Season Resources (will be updated for the 24-25 season by Sep 30, 2024).

Contact Info: Head Coach Taylor Canoso

 

Team Levels

Elite/National Teams

These teams consist of advanced/experienced athletes looking for a high level of play. They attend more competitive traveling tournaments and consist of training 2-3 times per week in addition to tournaments. Travel tournaments can be anywhere in the U.S. These teams also compete in CEVA Power Leagues and Regionals, as well as some friendship tournaments in the region. Great for players who want a lot of exposure to a high level of play and opportunities for college recruitment.

Intermediate/Regional teams

These teams consist of athletes with 1-2 years of competitive team experience who are looking for a high level of play, but are still developing skills and knowledge of the game. These teams are also great for athletes who are passionate about the sport, but are not ready to commit to a national team travel schedule. These teams typically train 2 times per week and compete in local CEVA Power Leagues and Regionals, as well as other friendship tournaments in the NW region (locations range anywhere from Ridgefield, WA to Eugene, OR).

Developmental/Local teams

These teams consist of athletes that are at a beginner level and are new to club volleyball. Ideal for athletes and families that do not want to travel and are looking for consistent practice and a mild tournament schedule. These teams typically train 2 times per week and compete in local CEVA Power Leagues and Regionals (locations range anywhere from Ridgefield, WA to Eugene, OR).

MAC Volleyball Coaches

2024-25 coaching & team assignments will be announced later this fall!

Taylor Canoso - Head Coach/Director

Taylor is a born and raised Portland native. She is heading into her 3rd season as the MAC's head volleyball coach and program director. Before MAC, she coached high school volleyball for 10 years at Sam Barlow (her alma mater).

Taylor played club volleyball for Nike NW Juniors for 9 years. While playing for Barlow, she received honorable mention and 1st Team All State as a 6A setter. After high school, Taylor went on to play for Mt. Hood Community College, where she ultimately retired from her time in competitive volleyball. She began coaching at age 21 and has played in adult leagues around the Portland area since. 

Taylor has two boys - Holden (9) and Cove (5) - and has spent the last 10 years being a stay-at-home mom, freelance graphic designer and volleyball coach. When she’s not on the court, Taylor spends her free time with her kids, traveling, fishing and camping.

Ashley Allred

Coach Ashley played four years on varsity at Thurston High and is currently playing her third year as an outside hitter at Multnomah University, where she is majoring in biology. She’s has coached for MAC for three years, having coached 14U, 16U, and most recently 18U.

Ashley is originally from Bakersfield California and loves to be outdoors either at the beach or exploring. Her hobbies include working out, cooking, adventuring, and fashion.

Kristin Bowen

Kristin is an Oregon native, raised in Estacada she began playing volleyball in 3rd grade as part of the Estacada LOCO’s Volleyball Program. As part of the EHS program she earned all-league honors her junior and senior year. She played her last two seasons of club ball with Nike NW Juniors before moving to South Carolina to play collegiate volleyball for 2 seasons.

Kristin is the Head Volleyball Coach for Gladstone High School and is working to develop an elementary and middle school program in Gladstone. Kristin has coached multiple sports over her 15 years of coaching, including softball, baseball and volleyball, she enjoys the competitive aspects of coaching while being able to watch players develop.

Kristin works for the City of Gladstone, is married and has 4 kids (1 daughter/3 sons). In her spare time Kristin can be found at the baseball field supporting her 2 high school aged sons, paddle boarding, or traveling.

Nick Costello

Coach Nicholas is a UC Merced grad, who was a member of the Men’s volleyball club program as well as a member of the university’s inaugural men’s varsity team for the 2014 season, once the university team transitioned from a club program to an official member of the NAIA. He has experience playing the outside, middle, and opposite positions. Nicholas has various levels of volleyball: middle school, high school JV & Varsity, college club, and multiple youth camps and clinics throughout the years. He is currently part of the volleyball program at Beaverton High School.

The upcoming 2024 CEVA season will be Nicholas’s 5th season with MAC, and he is extremely excited to develop the young women on his team as volleyball players and as terrific people in society. His focus is providing athletes with tangible feedback to improve their volleyball skills and understand the tactics of the game. Coach Nick loves the opportunity to coach and help grow the MAC Volleyball Program.

Gee Gee Crichton

Gee gee is an Oregon native born an raised in The Dalles Oregon. She went from playing high-school ball to coaching with many years of playing adult league volleyball.

She plays for the Polynesian Community and has coached for club, high school, and adult leagues.

With 15 years as an Executive Director she owns her own Healthcare business and enjoys what she does. When not working, coaching, or playing on the court she enjoys spending time with her family, lifting weights, and watching football.

Cory Shackelford

Cory started playing volleyball when he was around 8 years old on the beach in Southern California where he is originally from. He grew up playing any sport he could get his hands on, but once he started high school and discovered indoor volleyball, it rose above all the others and he ended up playing for his high school and on club teams as well.

When Cory went to college, he was more focused on his degree but still played volleyball wherever he could outside of school. Having a dad that was a varsity high school football coach, Cory's childhood was filled with sports, training and advice (whether it was wanted or not), but Cory accredits his dad's guidance in helping him build an understanding and desire to also be able to coach the sport he now loves and coaches today.

Cory has also coached youth camps, volunteered for other sports teams, and also just recently got a coaching job at PSU for their newly formed mens club team. Cory is also the JV volleyball coach at Benson Tech High School. He is excited to be coaching his second season at MAC and grow with a new team!

Also, two fun facts about Cory are that he has a degree in Theatre Arts and can speak French!

Kiara Kersey

This will be Kiara’s second year coaching for MAC. Her history in athletics include playing varsity volleyball and basketball throughout middle school and at Sam Barlow High School, as well as club ball in the off season for NW Juniors, PVC, and Oregon Reign AAU.

Kiara’s love for sports started at a young age, watching her parents play professionally. Her mom, volleyball on the sand and grass circuits in California and Oregon, and her dad, in the NBA, for the Portland Trail Blazers among other teams.

She always knew she wanted to coach someday, her inspiration being her own experience within the world of sports itself and the influences of her coaches along the way. She hopes to pay it forward by helping guide, develop and empower these young women in life on and off the court.
She grew up in Gresham, Or. and now lives in Portland with her husband and 3 kids and she’s been playing indoor and sand rec volleyball in her spare time. She loves anything Disney, reading, traveling, and enjoying time with friends and family.

“Don’t settle for average. Bring your best to the moment. Then, whether it fails or succeeds, at least you know you gave all you had.” -Angela Bassett

Dani Kellis

Dani has been playing volleyball for over 20 years. It has been a passion of hers since the first time she played, in a little recreational league. She played at Liberty High school where her team took 2nd and 5th in state. After high school, Dani played 2 years of collegiate volleyball before switching her focus to playing sand volleyball with a club team, and playing lacrosse.

Dani has been coaching volleyball for about 5 years, both club and school teams. In addition to coaching, she has been a personal trainer and sports performance specialist for about 10 years, and loves applying her knowledge of kinetics and exercise to coaching athletes.
 

Molly Brennan

Molly is from Tigard Oregon and has played volleyball since she was in 8th grade. She played throughout high school and played club volleyball. Before playing volleyball she was an elite gymnast for many years. She’s currently a sophomore at Multnomah University playing volleyball and is studying to be a trauma nurse! Molly has previously coached with NW Elite and is excited to be apart of the MAC VB program!

Carsen Nies

Carsen Nies grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, where she started playing indoor and sand volleyball in 6th grade. Carsen played for several competitive clubs and school teams throughout Arizona and Portland, Oregon, where she moved to in high school. Although she stopped playing competitively in college, Carsen continues to play in leagues throughout the Portland area.

In 2018, Carsen started coaching the junior varsity and varsity high school teams at the Northwest School in Seattle for three seasons. She also coached 12s, 13s, and 15s club teams in Seattle and Vancouver before coming to the MAC, where she coached the 13 Elite team this past season. Besides coaching, Carsen writes for PrepDig, a website that provides coverage of local and national high school volleyball players. She is also a lawyer for the Oregon Judicial Department. This is her third year coaching for MAC VB!

Dominique Doherty

Dominique was born and raised in the Portland metropolitan area. She played volleyball for 8 years for her school teams and on club teams. Dominique played club for Athena Volleyball Club and Lakeside Volleyball Club (now known as Oregon Juniors Volleyball Academy). She additionally played for Beaverton High School and participated in CYO volleyball in elementary and middle school at St. Cecilia School. She also enjoyed participating on other high school sports teams including the swim team and golf team.

After high school, Dominique went to Oregon State University to pursue her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Services and Psychology, and she also played intramural volleyball during her time at OSU. After graduating from OSU she went on to complete her Master of Social Work at Boise State University, and today she is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at an outpatient clinic of Randall Children’s Hospital.

During her down time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, family, and friends. She also loves to go hiking and on adventures with her two dogs, Kobe and Bailey. Dominique is looking forward to returning for her second season as a MAC VB Coach.

Alyssa Aubrey

Alyssa Aubrey was born and raised in Washington state. While growing up she played many sports and started playing volleyball in 7th grade. She has played for multiple volleyball clubs such as Lake Tapps and Puget Sound and is now playing at Multnomah University here in Portland! She graduated from Puyallup High School in 2021, which is also the same year her and her volleyball team were the SPSL League Champions and went 15-0! Alyssa is very excited to coach at MAC and watch the players grow as athletes.

Emilina Merafuentes

Emilina was born in Washington state but spent most of her time growing up in Hawaii. In Hawaii, she started playing volleyball for both school and club. She graduated from Mililani High School where she was a part of two Oahu Interscholastic Athletics D1 championship wins for volleyball. Also throughout high school, her team would run clinics and camps for younger players. After high school, Emilina moved to Portland to play for Multnomah University. She has been playing volleyball for eight years now and is excited for her second season coaching at MAC!

Quin Kloppenburg

Quin started playing volleyball in 5th grade when her school soccer team didn’t have enough players. From there Volleyball became her main sport playing club and traveling to play at tournaments across the region. She played Varsity volleyball at Lincoln, swinging up from JV her freshman year and was on Varsity full time every other year. Quin has led and developed sumo camps and class curriculum for THPRD, as their lead volleyball instructor and their Director of Volleyball Camps at Conestoga. While in college, Quin played club Volleyball at Portland State University.

Quin started coaching 14U and 12U club in 2013 and joined the MAC program in 2015 coaching the 12U White team. She loves coaching 12U players and watching them grow and develop over the season. She is currently heading into her 9th season as a MAC VB Coach!

Cassidy Galyon

Cassidy is a recent graduate of Multnomah University and will be coaching her 3rd season at MAC this year. She has experience playing in high school, club, and sand volleyball. Cassidy is always finding ways to stay active and she loves the sport of volleyball!

Amy Harrison

Amy has been involved with volleyball for over 40 years. She played for Corvallis HS where the varsity team had a 104 match winning streak and four straight State Championships. Amy started playing beach doubles while in high school and became one of the top women players in Oregon, winning local, state, and Seaside championships. Amy also played on the OSU women’s club team.

Amy has coached all age groups in CEVA for multiple clubs, including Nike NW Jrs., PVC, and Athena. She coached Coach Taylor on a 12’s team that won a division at Festival. Amy also coached high school and led Kennedy HS to the State playoffs. Amy is a long-time referee for CEVA as well as 11 years experience officiating at the collegiate level.

Amy also loves to practice karate, hike, travel, and quilt. She is excited to be coaching again and looks forward to helping the MAC program.

Whitney Johnson

Whitney played for Clark High School in Las Vegas. During that time, the team won three regional championships, and two state championships. She played for Nevada Jrs. volleyball club, where her team won two national championships.

Whitney's played OPP hitter and setter. After moving back to Portland in 2008, she started coaching at Portland Volleyball Club, where she coached 18U, 15U, and 12U for give years. Whitney also coached JV/JVII at Sam Barlow High School from 2012 - 2017, and then Mountainside High School from 2019 - 2021. This is Whitney's third year coaching 12U at MAC. 

Laura Cartwright

Laura brings 28 years of working in athletics and with youth as a coach, athletic director, teacher and advocate. Her passion for sports as a vehicle for empowerment started as an athlete herself playing volleyball, basketball, softball and swimming competitively while growing up. As an adult she has coached more than 50 teams and has worked with all ages and levels through camps, club, middle school, high school, and college teams. She just moved to Portland with her partner after living in Oakland CA for 20 years. She feels most at home in the volleyball community so finding MAC and joining this program is already bringing her so much joy. She literally can't wait to get on the court and meet the players and teams. In her spare time she loves cooking up new recipes in the kitchen, attending live performances, and finding new places to explore and learn about.