Aly MacDonell

Club Director

About Aly:

Hi there! My name is Aly, I have been with the Hurricanes since 2019, I typically coach the 17-18 State teams for our club. I am taking this year off from coaching to run extra support for our staff and players. Kara and I partnered to take over leadership at the club starting in 2022. We have been in development of reestablishing our club and image since then. 

I absolutely love the sport of volleyball, it's one of my greatest joys in life. I have been playing since I was about 14. I played at Pinckney High School and was captain of the Varsity team there my senior year. I played one year of club at Grand Valley State, where I received my bachelors in Biomedical Science. I played mostly recreationally after I left the club team there and never stopped playing. In 2016, I returned to Pinckney to coach the JV team there. I took a few years off to plan my wedding; my husband, John and I were married in 2018. After we moved to Canton that year, I found my coaching home at High Velocity and I have been an active member of the staff here since I started. When I'm not at High Velocity, I work full time in Ann Arbor at a Life Sciences company in the commercial group. My husband I and spend most of our free time outside with our dog, Honey. 

My goal for our club is to create a family-like environment where young girls can find the same love I have for the sport of volleyball. I want to make sure that girls are challenged to push outside the comfort zones and give them the skills and experience to help them in all facets of their lives going forward. We are dedicated to our players and are invested in their improvement as players on and off the court. 

Bronte Downing

Club Director

About Bronte:

Hello everyone, my name is Bronte and I have been working with Hurricanes since 2017. I have coached every age group from 12-18, and I am very excited to embrace this new role.

Volleyball has been my life since I was 12 years old, and was lucky to play colligate volleyball all 4 years at the University Of Michigan-Dearborn. I graduated with my M.S  in Criminology and Criminal justice in 2020, and have recently welcomed a baby boy with my husband early September 2023. I am happy to make Hurricanes my  home, and will assist anyway I can!

Kaitlyn Moore

17 State Head Coach

About Kaitlyn:

Hi, I’m Coach Kaitlyn! I am so excited to back for my second season with Hurricanes and my fourth full year coaching. I fell in love with the sport as a 6th grader and have found a way to be on the court ever since. I played at Wayne Memorial High School and several travel club leagues in the Metro Detroit area as a setter and OH. After high school, I made the hard decision to take a break from athletics, and play only recreationally, to pursue my degree in Elementary Education at Eastern Michigan. As soon as the opportunity presented itself, I found myself back at Wayne Memorial to take over as the head coach for their Varsity volleyball team. This journey has really taken me full circle. Coaching brings me so much joy! I hope to instill a love and drive for the sport, while also giving athletes skills that will benefit them on and off of the court. Outside of volleyball, I’m a kindergarten teacher, an avid Target shopper, and love to travel with my husband, Tye, and our two dogs - Copper and Kona!

Avery Solomon

16/17 State Head Coach

About Avery:

Hi I'm Coach Avery! this is my 6th year coaching for the Hurricanes! I began my volleyball career as a 6th grader and instantly fell in love with the sport! I played throughout high school at Belleville and started playing club here, at Hurricanes as a freshman! After high school, I continued my academic and athletic career at Schoolcraft where I learned a lot about being a player and a coach! Volleyball has always been a passion of mine and I'm also pursuing a career as a strength and conditioning coach working with all athletes of many ages!

Angie Smith

15 State Co-Coach
 

About Angie:

I am Angela Smith, I prefer to be called Angie. I started playing volleyball at Plainwell High School in Plainwell Michigan. I was also involved with AAU Volleyball out of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo Michigan. I took several recruiting trips and ultimately decide to play for Kim Berrington at Concordia University in Ann Arbor. I've coached varsity volleyball at Brighton High School as well as Arbor preparatory High School. I'm currently the Head Coach at Washtenaw community college for the Men’s Volleyball program. I am also directing the volleyball skills clinic with my good friend and co coach Emily Stratton. It has been my pleasure being involved with the Hurricanes program for the last 3 seasons.

Emily Stratton

15 State Co-Coach

About Emily:

I am thrilled to be back for my 4th season with the Hurricanes! Volleyball was my first love and still is.Coming back each year and seeing girls I've previously coached grow in this program is amazing. I got my start playing AAU in Ann Arbor so being able to coach in this league is full circle for me. I first starting my coaching career for JV/Varsity at a small private school in Ann Arbor. I also co-lead the hurricans clinics during and outside of the season. When not coaching, I work full time as a sales analyst and get bossed around by my dog, Mickey.

Lashawn Webb

13 State Head Coach

About Lashawn:

COMING SOON

Ramiya White 

16 State Head Coach 

About Ramiya:

Hi, I'm Coach Ramiya! I am very excited to be coaching my first season at Hurricanes. I fell in love with the sport of volleyball in the 7th grade. I've played volleyball for 9 years as an OH Hitter as well as started my first season as an assistant coach at Wayne Memorial High School. My career as a volleyball player didn't stop with high school. I was blessed to attend Penn State (Beaver Campus) where I played volleyball for 4 years and obtained my Bachelor's degree in Psychology. I am excited for this opportunity and I look forward to sharing my passion of volleyball with this next generation of athletes.

Catherine Persad

15 Red Local Head Coach

About Catherine:

Hi there! My name is Catherine Persad. This is my second year coaching with the Hurricanes, but my 7th year coaching overall! I've played volleyball most of my life and knew I wanted to coach the moment I finished high school. I started as a head JV coach, then assisted with a Varsity team in Arkansas, and got a head coaching job for a Varsity team at a small private school in Ann Arbor when I moved back to Michigan. Coaching is one of the most exciting parts of my day, but when I'm not coaching I have a full time job at the University of Michigan or I'm spending time with my dog, Dani!

Batoul Fakih

15 Black Local Co-Coach

About Batoul:

My name is Batoul Fakih otherwise known as Coach B. I've been playing volleyball since I was 12 years old, some of those years being with hurricanes! But now being a college student studying for my degree in behavioral and biological sciences, I've made the switch to becoming a coach! Although I miss being on the court, This is my 3rd year coaching now and I am absolutely overjoyed with being able to share my passion and wisdom from past coaches and experiences of volleyball with so many awesome kids and see them succeed. When I'm not coaching, I'm studying hard with my cat Milo beside me as well as building my side business as a nail tech!

Ruby Morrow

15 Black Local Co-Coach

About Ruby:

Hi I'm Coach Ruby! This will be my first year as a coach with the Hurricanes, but I have been at our weekly clinics since 2022! I have played volleyball for about 7 years now and am super excited to begin my AAU coaching! I'm currently a senior at Divine Child High School and am graduating this upcoming May. As a player, I always put 110% effort on the court and plan to do the same on the sidelines as a coach. I believe the most important part of this sport is to have fun with your teammates and hope to instill that into the girls this season. I can't wait for a great season!

Kaylyn O'Grady

14 Black Local Head Coach

About Kaylyn:

My name is Kaylyn O’Grady and this is my second year coaching with the Hurricanes! I have also coached at Lincoln High School. I’ve been playing volleyball for 8 years, 4 of them being at Lincoln High School. I knew I wanted to coach because I want to share all of the knowledge that my amazing coaches shared with me! A fun fact about me is I graduated from the SWWC Cosmetology School.

Shantel Green 

14 Red Local Co-Coach

About Shantel:

Hello, my name is Shantel Green, this is my 3rd year coaching but 2nd year with High Velocity! Ive coached in Texas for about a year and Ive also coached a Junior Varsity team at CPA in Chandler Park. I’ve been playing volleyball since I was about 13 years old and I am so infatuated with the sport that I wanna share what I know with the younger generation. Some non volleyball facts about me are I'm very creative, anything art related I love. I can paint, crochet clothing, and I draw.

Breanna Walker

14 Red Local Co-Coach

About Breanna:

Hi, my name is Breanna, and I’ve been coaching volleyball since 2021, working with young female athletes through clinics and the traveling Hurricanes AAU team. I love helping players grow their skills, build confidence, and develop a deeper understanding of the game. Right now, I’m currently a student at Wayne State University, studying for my Master's in Sports Administration. Volleyball has always been a huge part of my life, and coaching gives me the chance to share my passion while mentoring the next generation of athletes. My focus is on fundamentals, game strategy, and teamwork, but more than anything, I want my players to enjoy the process, push themselves, and have fun competing. Whether I’m running a practice or leading a team on tournament day, my goal is to create a positive, competitive, and growth-oriented environment.

Looking forward to another great season!

Alyssa Melidosian

13 Red Local Head Coach

About Alyssa:

Hey! I’m Coach Alyssa and I am super excited to be back this year! I previously coached in 2021 and I couldn’t be more excited to be coaching again. I have played volleyball for 13 years and although I was mainly a defensive specialist, I have played all positions on the court. Since I was a freshman in high school, I have played for the High Velocity Hurricanes Club teams. After high school, I went to Grand Valley State University to get my Bachelor of Science degree and plan to attend Medical School. I have loved the sport for as long as I can remember and being able to be the person to inspire other players is something I truly cherish. I'm looking forward to a fantastic season!

Hailie Bielski 

13 Black Local Head Coach

About Hailie:

Hey! I’m Coach Hailie! This will be my first year coaching with the hurricanes. I played volleyball for 9 years as a Defensive Specialist/Setter. Two of those years were played here with the Hurricanes. I then went on to play nationally for my senior year! The love I have for this sport can never be shown enough and it is my goal to make my players enjoy the sport as much as I do. Some non-volleyball facts about me are I am currently in school to become a CRNA, and I currently work in the hospital as a PCT (Patient Care Tech). I am super excited for this season and helping my girls grow as players!

Stacy King

13 White Local Head Coach

About Coach King:

I am Coach King, and this my 1st year with the Hurricanes. I have coached for 5 years with 2 years as Head Varsity Coach, and in club. I have experience working with middle and high school players. I enjoy educating, training, and challenging players as they develop skills to play the game confidently. I believe that practice makes it permanent, and encourage each player to work hard during practices, and during games. I look forward to an awesome season.

Ava Churnesky

12 Red Local Head Coach

About Ava:

Hi, I'm Coach Ava! This will be my first year coaching with the Hurricanes. I have played volleyball for about 7 years and I am. super excited to be coaching! I am currently a senior at Canton High School. I was on Varsity since my Sophomore year. I am currently committed to playing in college. I have always been a super talkative but also serious person, I always gave my full effort as a player, and I am going to bring that to coaching as well. I am super excited to be coaching, I can't wait for a great season!