Lynn McMillan is the director of the Blue Valley Activity Center (BVAC) and has worked for this organization for almost 30 years. She is a Certified Youth Worker and Ordained Minister in her church. She is also the Director of Facilities at the Family Life Center in downtown Independence.

The ATTACK Volleyball club has been a part of Lynn’s life for over 25 years, as all three of her sons played competitive volleyball. She organizes countless clinics, practices, and volleyball tournaments, as well as directs soccer, basketball, and youth baseball leagues at BVAC.

Lynn says she is excited about our ATTACK coaching staff this year. Each coach is experienced, qualified, and ready to push our players to work hard and develop into great athletes. Watching the players improve their skills and enjoy the game while learning to work as a team is her goal for the ATTACK volleyball club.​​

Kelly is a graduate of Graceland University with a BS in elementary education and minors in math, political science, middle school, coaching/kinesiology and psychology. She received her Master’s Degree from the University of Missouri (MU) in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis. Straub is currently a math teacher at William Chrisman High School and is the lead teacher in Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies (PBIS) there. She is a nationally certified basketball, volleyball and soccer coach. She is also a member of the priesthood in her church and a Mary Kay Representative.

As a former player of volleyball for 10 years, she says she was blessed to play for the Attack Volleyball Club, her high school, and at Youth Nationals. She was invited to try out for the National Youth Team. She has coached middle school, recreational and competitive youth volleyball teams accumulating to over 14 years of coaching experience. Kelly regularly coaches volleyball camps and clinics. She believes volleyball is a fun sport that can teach many life lessons. ​

A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, Philip attended the University of Kentucky, receiving an Associate of Arts as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree specializing in Kinesiology and Education. While at Kentucky, Bennett was a member of the Men's Volleyball team. As a setter, Bennett helped guide his team to the National Club Volleyball Federation tournaments in 2001. He began his coaching career at the University of Kentucky as he assisted the Women's NCAA Division I program. After graduation, Philip served as the Assistant Coach at Carson Newman College NCAA DII for the 2007-2008 seasons. While his duties included Game Planning, Promotions, Marketing, and training Middle Hitters/Blockers his highlight was leading the Eagles to a first place finish in NCAA DII Blocking Stats.

Bennett has extensive Volleyball camp experience, coaching in camps at Kentucky, Carson Newman, Tennessee, North Carolina, Belmont, Middle Tennessee, and East Tennessee State University. He was previously the Associate Women’s Volleyball Coach at Longview Community College. Philip also has ties to the Volleyball Club teams in the Mid-South region of the country - serving as Head Coach/Director to a number of Club programs. ​​

Coach Kramer began playing volleyball at the Jr. High School level. She continued playing through high school, at the collegiate level, and has also played almost 10 years as an adult. Lacinda graduated with two majors from Drury University; one degree in Business Administration and one in Communication and Public Relations. She obtained a third degree in Accounting from Park University. Additionally, Lacinda has a master’s degree from Keller Graduate School of Managment in Business Administration, as well as a Certification in Project Management.

Kramer started coaching recreational volleyball 5 years ago and has been the assistant coach for the ATTACK 13's and 14's for several years. The past season Lacinda was the lead coach for the ATTACK 14’s team. She has over 30 years of experience of playing and coaching volleyball. Lacinda recently attended the Art of Coaching volleyball clinic held in Kansas City. She enjoys transferring the skills and fundamentals of playing volleyball to her players. She is a passionate and educated coach who wants to instill that passion into her teams.

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Stephanie Tauber is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, (UNI) with a major in Education and a minor in Special Education. She is currently an elementary special education teacher in the Independence School District.

Stephanie comes to the ATTACK coaching staff having played volleyball since she was 8 years old. She played all through high school at North Kansas City High School. She also participated in competitive club volleyball for 3 years during that time. Coach Tauber played one year of volleyball at UNI and then coached club volleyball in Iowa before moving back to Missouri after receiving her teaching degree. Stephanie has also coached for the Blue Valley Activity Center (BVAC) as a youth coach. ATTACK looks forward to working with her for the first time this coming season.​

Haley Ratliff is one of the newer additions to our ATTACK coaching staff this year. She graduated from Grandview High School, where she played varsity volleyball. She has been a volunteer coach at ATTACK volleyball clinics during the summer, and coached in our youth 6^th – 8^th grade volleyball league at BVAC this past fall. She continually finds ways to enhance her coaching knowledge and expertise.

Haley demonstrates discipline and compassion as she works with youth. She previously worked for two years as a para-professional in an elementary school in Grandview, working with third grade students, and her love for kids shows even now as she works for Toys-R-Us.

Haley has decided to become a volleyball coach because she loves being an adult figure in the lives of kids. She loves teaching them values and skills that can be used on and off the court, and does everything she can to help kids develop successful, productive lives.

Willie is a native of Smithville, Texas and attended Dallas Baptist University. A few years later, Willie transferred to Calvary University, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies, and a master’s Degree of Divinity. Willie played college basketball for Calvary University. During that time he also worked as a YMCA counselor and assistant director.

Willie became interested in volleyball about 3 years ago while seeking to help his daughter become a better player. Through a series of events Willie attended training and volleyball clinics under Carla Cole. She motivated him to become IMPACT certified because of his coaching technique. Willie has been an assistant Golf Coach at Blue Ridge Christian High School and served as an assistant girls coach for the Blue Ridge Christian Elem. School. Lacinda Kramer gave Willie an opportunity to be her assistant coach in 2017 for the 14’s ATTACK team, and Willie has assisted in various volleyball camps and clinics.

Willie says his coaching goal is to: “Help the player learn how to handle success like they handle failure; with grace and with understanding that change is a must to become a better player.” Willie believes any player can improve if they are given the right information. Willie describes his coaching style as “Fun with great expectation of winning.”​​

Shaun began playing volleyball in Junior High School. He says he greatly improved his skills by playing doubles in sand volleyball. Shaun played for Graceland University at the collegiate level, where he was a setter. The past 5 years Coach Martin has directed double grass volleyball tournaments, as well as USAV tournaments for the Blue Valley Activity Center, (BVAC). He recently coached at a clinic held at McNeese St. University.

Shaun has coached 14 teams of varying ages for JO clubs in the greater KC area. This past season he was the lead coach for the ATTACK 13’s team.

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Rachael’s goal for this season is to bring girls together and teach them teamwork, while individually developing their skills, self-confidence and love of volleyball. Rachael has been coaching for 3 years both at the youth and high school level. As the Center Place Restoration Jr. High School Volleyball coach, Rachael believes each player can be successful at volleyball if given the correct training and encouragement; and if they have the drive to improve. Her passion for volleyball began when she was 10 and she still plays today. She challenges herself through continued education of the sport and works hard to pass that on to younger players. ​

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Fred Clark has the unique distinction of being one of BVAC’s oldest club players. He began playing volleyball when he was in Junior High. He was on a boy’s team that existed before our club changed our name from BVAC to ATTACK. But this team was amazing. They headed to National’s during the 1979-1980 season and have the honor of being National Champions!

Fred attended Graceland University and was a part of the collegiate team. Over the past years he has coached for many varied teams of different ages.

Fred is currently a millworker working with wood to make archectitual molding. But for 32 years he owned his own landscaping/construction company. As he says, now he works on the inside of trees instead of the outside.

Fred believes success in anything comes with commitment and hard work. He’s looking forward to being a part of the BVAC/ATTACK program once again.

Coach Ashley is a graduate from Holden High School where her team was awarded a State Championship Medal her senior year. She attended both Central Missouri State University (CMSU) and Longview and has over 15 years of volleyball experience as a player and coach. She currently works as a supervisor for Express Scripts and is a volunteer at her church as a nursery caretaker and greeter.

Ashley has coached volleyball for the past 7 years. Her teams include competitive club high school players as well as youth recreational teams. She has coached numerous Volleyball Camps and has been a Tournament Director for the past 3 years. Ashley attended the Art of Coaching Volleyball Clinic which was held in Kansas City. Ashley has a passion for the game and her goal as a coach is be a part of that passionate development for the girls. She believes “fundamentals”, on and off the court, is the key to success, alongside Teamwork and FUN. ​

Leah Horton has been an exceptional part of the ATTACK coaching staff for several years. In high school, she was a setter for Lee’s Summit North HS. She attended Longview College and then transferred to the University of Missouri at Kansas City, UMKC. She will soon graduate with a double major in Psychology and Criminal Justice. She is also participating in a 2 year program to have a third degree in Nutrition. While attending college, she has been employed for the past 10 years at the Kennedy Animal Clinic located in Raytown, MO.

Leah has been a volleyball coach for the past 6 years, coaching mostly high school age club teams. She is a firm believer in fundamentals and wants her players to learn simple techniques. She loves winning, but most of all, loves getting to know the players on a personal level … and winning. She tells us that she is awesome; and at the ATTACK club, we agree.​

Jared grew up playing volleyball from the time he was 5 years old, and has loved it every day. Coach Jared is the owner of MOJO Construction Co. and the father of six kids. He volunteers regularly at his church and every Sunday morning is the head cook for breakfast for his entire congregation. He also teaches the youth classes there from time to time as needed.

Through his Jr. High and High School years Jared played on one of the few boys club teams (ATTACK) in the Kansas City area. He began coaching 14 years ago, and has coached for the ATTACK club for 10 years. He took a short break from coaching, and is now returning to the ATTACK staff. Jared believes listening to others is a big key to success in volleyball and in life. His philosophy about coaching is simple, and he says it like this: “Volleyball is a team sport, and so is the real world. I’m teaching TEAMWORK to my players so they can discover how to have success in everything they do for the rest of their lives.” ​

Carla has a BS in Management from Friends University, a K-12 Teaching Certification from UMKC, and a Master’s Degree in Behavior Specialization. She is the Assistant Director of the ATTACK Volleyball Club. Carla is many faceted as she is also a ReMax Real Estate Agent, an ordained Elder in her church, an author, and has a ghost tour in Independence.

Carla has participated in club volleyball for over 30 years. She has been a national coach, with teams placing as high as 16^th and 9^th. She has also been a club director, given private lessons, and led volleyball camps and clinics. She has coached on the high school level and currently coaches volleyball and soccer.

Carla describes her coaching philosophy in this way:

“The best part about coaching is that you get to teach kids life lessons while you play a game with them. Keeping that thought in mind, I approach tournaments, practices, and my relationship between my players with an attitude that it's a game. But honor in sports is crucial to my coaching style. I look forward to many more years of having fun with kids.”​