Staff
Laikin Ramirez
MEET LAIKIN
Coach Laikin Ramirez runs Forza1’s VolleyPrep league. She is currently the Varsity Volleyball Coach at Great Oak HS. In 2019/2020 coached the 17 Elite team. In 2018 she head coached the 13 National and 16 Elite Red team and assisted on the 14UA team. In 202 she is coaching the 13’s, 16’s and 17’s. She holds previous coaching experience with 16s, 14s, 13s and 12s at the National, Regional and Local levels, and truly enjoys sharing her passion and wisdom with the areas upcoming athletes. In 2015, Laikin was the head coach of Forza1’s top 14 Regional team and was the assistant coach on the 16 regional team. In 2016 she was the assistant coach on our 12UA team. She also coaches at Chaparral High School.
Laikin likes to be a year-around coach. She coached 3 years as the Freshmen Coach at Murrieta Mesa High School. Laikin also helps coach classes and camps and Forza1. In 2016 to present she is the coach Freshman at Chaparral HS.
Coach Laikin grew up playing every sport she could sign up for, including basketball, softball, soccer, and even tennis. The summer before entering high school, she was in search of a summer soccer camp, and found a volleyball camp instead. Determined to learn something new, she gave volleyball camp a shot, and fell in love with the sport.
Coach Laikin attended Vista Murrieta HS, where she played volleyball and soccer for the Broncos. She also played for Temecula Viper and Premier Volleyball club during high school. After graduating, she headed to Palomar College, where she played libero for the Comets, and helped the team become conference champions two years in a row.
While coaching is her passion, Laikin’s favorite job is being a wife to her husband Chris and mother to their daughter Kenley. Laikin is also currently working on a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Athletic Training at Cal Baptist University.
Bethany Prochnow
Bethany has been playing volleyball since she was 13 years old. She played for Elsinore High School for four years. She then went on to play indoor and beach volleyball for Palomar College, then onscholarship at Coker College in South Carolina, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Economics. After finishing her Bachelor’s degree, Bethany decided to continue her education and to continue playing volleyball in England at Newcastle University, where she received her Master’s degree in International Business.
Coaching Experience:
Coach at Elsinore HS Summer Camps 2014-2016
Coached 13’s at Forza 2015-2016
Coached Leagues in South Carolina 2016-2018
Coach Intramurals at the University in England in the 2018-2019
Kat Pierce
MEET KAT
In 2015-2018 Kat helped to develop new and experienced players at Forza1. She continues to be involved in our GoForza Classes that introduce new players and she also privately trains many of our top players in the 16 and older age groups. Kat is a talented coach that loves the game and is passionate about helping young players reach their potential and play with intensity. In 2019 Kat head coached the first ever Forza1 11UA team.
In 2014, Kat coached a 16-1 team and finished in the top 6 of SCVA and finished 5th place at the AAU National Tournament. In 2013, her 14-1s team finished top 5 in SCVA and took home the bronze medal at the Junior National Championships in Dallas. In 2012, she head coached the 13-1s to a 6th place finish in SCVA 13s and in 2011, she coached the 12-1’s to a #1 title in Southern California and 5th place overall finish at the Junior National Championships in Atlanta.
Kat has helped develop a lot of young talented players in the valley over the last five years and has a keen eye for training youth.
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
At a young age, Kat’s parents introduced her to volleyball, and her passion and love for the game grew quickly. As a Director, Kat truly enjoys introducing young athletes to the game of volleyball as well, and has an excellent eye for developing skills and the ability to infuse players with an enthusiasm for learning.
Kat was a three sport athlete in high school and excelled in basketball and volleyball. It was in her junior year that she realized volleyball would be her future. She was named team MVP and League MVP as a senior and earned a scholarship to UC Riverside as a setter/right side.
While attending UCR, Kat was given many opportunities to coach youth volleyball and quickly fell in love with idea of coaching. She credits her college coaches, Sue Gozansky and Monica Trainer, for helping her to realize her natural ability to connect with children on and off the court. Kat earned a BA in Liberal Arts, a teaching credential and Master’s Degree in Education from UCR.
Ashleigh Page
ASHLEIGH PAGE
Ashleigh has been a part of the Forza1 family for the past few years; first as a high level setter and then as a coach in the Forza 4 All school leagues, VolleyPrep League, and skills classes over the past few years. She brings positive energy and first hand knowledge of Forza1 training methods to the court. She is a relatable roll model for players. Ashleigh will be coaching in the 14u Local levels in 2019/2020 season.
Kelcie Nilson
My name is Kelcie Nilsen. I am currently a full-time student at Mt. San Jacinto College. I was introduced to volleyball my freshmen year of high school. Since then I have played just about every position besides libero. At banquets my coaches would always say I was the one that they could just throw into the game to play any position.
I played for Temescal Canyon High School all four years. My senior year we made it the second round for CIF. For club volleyball, I started playing my sophomore year of high school at Forza 1 South and continued playing club at Forza through my Senior year moving up in level of play each year.
2018 is my first year coaching at Forza, and I could not be anymore excited to share my passion of the game with the youth.
In 2018/2019 Kelcie finished the season as the head coach for the 18 Elite team and taught weekly classes. We look forward to her continuing at Forza in the fall while she starts nursing school.
Chris Nguyen
MEET CHRIS
Chris is an integral member of the Forza1 staff. He has coached and have been involved with Forza1’s teams of all levels, from Locals to the top Under Armour teams. Chris’ attention to detail and training as a coach is exhibited by the incredible improvement of his young players. Chris is a mentor coach at Forza1 and will coached the 15 National team in 2018/2019 and had one of the most improved teams at Forza1.
Chris is starting his 12th year coaching volleyball but started playing in middle school over 30 years ago. He did not, however, fall for the sport until he took volleyball classes at UC Berkeley where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Math/Computer Science. With these classes, he learned the techniques and intricacies of the game. He went on to play in intramural leagues at UC Berkeley as well as local adult Division A leagues. He won several championships with his team.
Although he had to stop playing after suffering a back injury, he found a new way to enjoy the sport through coaching when his children became interested in the sport. While imparting his knowledge to his children, Chris found the process extremely rewarding with the natural progression of then wanting to teach any and all young players the skills to play and love the sport as much as he does. His passion for teaching prompted his appointment to Director of Locals at Club West Temecula in 2012. In this role, he was able to oversee the development of all new players who come through the Locals program. Many of these players continued their development on Regional and National level teams, with some currently competing at the collegiate level.
Chris enjoys working with young players of all age and skill levels, from breaking down fundamentals with new players to fine tuning the skills of the top elite players. He has coached players from 8 to 18 years old on teams of various levels. At Forza1, his teams have consistently finished in SCVA’s Gold division and oftentimes, have taken first in their SCVA Regional bracket. His teams have won divisional brackets as well as top 10 finishes at the end of the year tournaments, including 1st place at the 2018 AAU Festival in Arizona!!
Volleyball (as well as work, school, a 2nd degree black belt) has taught Chris that through hard work and dedication you can become successful in any endeavor you choose. His knowledge of the game has grown through his coaching experiences, including ones with the amazing coaches he has been blessed to work with over the years. Although results are important, the journey to get there is just as valuable. Chris’ goal is to be able to teach these lessons to a new generation of players. With this philosophy, players will learn and have fun becoming the best athletes they can be while adapting what they learn into other aspects of their lives.
J.D. Miranda
MEET J.D.
J.D. is a well-versed athlete of many sports and has taken his passion for teaching and translated it into coaching volleyball. This will be J.D.’s 9th year of coaching Club Volleyball. Im 2018/2019 JD coached the 14 Elite Red team where he had good success throughout the season. In 2017/2018 JD coached the 16 National team, 18 Elite team. In 2016/2017 JD coached the 16 National team at Forza1 along with two elite teams. In 2015, JD was the head coach of a 14 and 16 Regional Team and his 16s teams was one of the most winning teams in the club. JD loves to join in with the players on their path to becoming a better player and you can see his passion everyday on the court.
in his first season he head coached at Temecula on a 16 National team and won more tournaments than any other team in the club. Prior to starting at the club level, J.D. coached at North Side High School in Tennessee for 3 years and in 2013 took over as Varsity Head Coach at Murrieta Valley High School.
Off the court J.D. teaches math and still enjoys the sports he played and coached alongside volleyball – basketball and football.
Heather Miller
MEET HEATHER
Heather has been coaching club volleyball for over 8 years. In 2019 She coached the 16 Elite Black team to a 17th place finish in SCVA! In 2018 she coached the 13Elite Red team. In 2017 and 2016 she coached the top 16 Elite team for Forza1. In 2015 she head coached Forza1’s 13-1 Local team that won the Forza One Performance Cup that May! She has also been involved in the Forza for All Middle School league from the start. Heather is an incredibly motivating coach and she infuses her players with a passion and competitiveness!
Heather has a history of success with local teams and in 2014 and 2013, Heather led her 12 Local teams to top 10 finishes at Spike-Fest.
Heather coached at Murrieta Valley High School for four years.
As someone who loves the sports and wants to help it grow, Heather has run a recreational volleyball league and has kept her focus on providing girls with a chance to play and learn the fundamentals of volleyball. Heather truly enjoys volleyball and it is evident in her upbeat and positive approach to coaching.
Heather realized her love for volleyball in high school, where she was All Golden League (volleyball and basketball) and Quartz Hill Athlete of the Year (1993). She also broke the league high jump record, which stood for 16 years. Heather went on to college, eventually graduating with a degree in physical education from BYU.
Heather has been married for 21 years and has four children, one of which currently plays for BYU and was ranked Freshman of the Year(Mckenna Miller) in 2017. In her spare time, Heather enjoys camping with her family, spending time at the beach, and of course, playing volleyball.
Tobi Melton
MEET TOBI
Tobi Melton joined the volleyball coaching community at Forza1 as a Local Club, Middle School League, and Elementary School League Coach in 2015. She is also the Junior Varsity coach at Temecula Prep High School. Prior to coaching at Forza Tobi coached for and helped coordinate youth Volleyball camps at Rice University, and coordinated Adult indoor and outdoor co-ed Leagues and Tournaments in Houston, TX. In 2018/2019 Tobi coached the 11 Local Red team to a 5th place finish in VolleyFest 12’s division!
Tobi strives to inspire youth athletes through her passion for competition, passing on a love for and dedication to the sport of volleyball. Her coaching philosophy is to enjoy the work, play your role, lead through example, BE FEARLESS in play and learn to win with joy and lose with grace.
As a player, Tobi was a 1992 Graduate of Capistrano Valley High School, which was ranked in the Top 10 in the State of California and Top 25 Nationally (Mizuno/USA Today, Volleyball Monthly). As a three-year letter winner, Tobi earned All Pacific Coast League honors in 1990 and 1991 and League MVP as a senior, and was named All CIF and All Orange County in 1991. She led her Mission Valley Club team to a hard fought second place at prestigious Volleyball Festival in 1992. Tobi chose Rice University after being recruited by over 20 Division I volleyball programs, including Fresno State, U of A, Ohio State, Oregon, UOP, Loyola Marymount, USD, UCSB, and Colorado State. She was the starting outside and swing hitter at Rice University for two seasons as a true Freshman and redshirt Sophomore prior to a career ending shoulder injury in 1994. She finished her career at Rice University as a statistician for both Women’s Volleyball and Men’s Basketball.
Patrick Manning
MEET PAT
Coach Manning has been coaching volleyball since 1991. In 2015, Pat was the head coach of Forza1 18-1s and helped the team prepare to play in college and obtain college scholarships. The team competed in the Gold Division and showed tremendous technical improvement throughout the 2015 season.
In 2016 Pat was the head coach of the 13-1s where the team competed in the Gold Division, Pats passion for technical training is seen in his players, they are prepared to play at the next level with concrete fundamentals. In 2017 Pat coached the 18UA team with Dana Burkholder and successfully helped all the seniors on the team sign with colleges for volleyball. In 2018 Pat assisted Coach Mauro on the 17UA team and they finished 6th in SCVA. In 2018/2019 Pat head coached the 18UA team and finished top 10 in SCVA!
He started his coaching career at Calvary Church of Santa Ana, as the head coach for the boys & girls middle school programs, then soon after moved on to the club and high school ranks.
For the past 17 years Pat has worked with clubs in the area, including Vintage, 951 Elite, Park Center, Viper and most recently Club West. Pat’s primary role has been coaching Elite Teams, but he has also made huge contributions in the technical development of both players and teams.
Some of Pat’s accomplishments as a coach are: 2 CIF Championships (1 as head coach, 1 as assistant), 1 VB Festival championship, 2 VB Festival championship appearance’s, So Cal JNQ 16 Open Finalists(’08), 11th @ 16 Open Junior National Championships (’08) and coached 3 teams ranked nationally in the top 15.
Pat is currently the Varsity Head coach at Murrieta Mesa high school, where he hopes to rebuild the program into a power house in the toughest CIF division in Southern California. He led them to their first ever showing in CIF in 2016!
Patrick Manning was born in Laguna Beach to Patricia & Guy Manning, and has 6 sisters & 2 brothers. Patrick, his wife Teal, daughter Skyler, dog Gillian, & their African Grey Mongo live in Murrieta. Aside from family & coaching, Manning’s other passions are surfing and snowboarding.