Top coaches leading players on the rise within the Heart of America

With club season in full swing, there's no better time to highlight some of the top club coaches in Missouri and their teams. Clubs from all over the state utilize local college coaches as ‘gurus’ of the game. It goes without saying that those same talented and successful collegiate coaches make outstanding coaches for the youth in the area. Within that group of coaches lie former All-Americans, Olympians and other extraordinary individuals who defy all odds to become the rare family man or woman who can excel at both during the club months. Here are a few coaches to look out for in the Heart of America Region, as well as the teams they spend their weekends with. In no particular order: 1. Mavs KC 18-1 What does is feel like to coach one of the, if not ‘the’, best 18s team in the state? Just ask Head Coach Lauren Ramatowski. Ramatowski is in charge of what I like to call the super group in the HOA Region. Her team is stacked with more talent than anyone could imagine. Last season, this Mavs squad qualified for Open before adding stand outs Audrey Klemp, Invasion 17-1, and Amaya Tillman, KC Power 17-1, to this season’s line-up. Ramatowski also assisted a Washburn University team this season that finished 33-5 before losing in the national semifinals to the University of Tampa. Her Mavs 18s team is currently number 1 in the HOA Region at 26-1 and will no doubt be a force to be reckoned with at the USAV National Tournament this season. 2. Adidas Dynasty 13-1/Adidas Dynasty 15-1 If you haven't heard of Adidas Dynasty, then you haven’t gotten out much in the world of club volleyball. Club Director Bryon Larson has no doubt created a ‘dynasty’ (no pun intended) in terms of volleyball in the Kansas City area. His 13’s squad is nothing short of unbelievable featuring two outsides and an opposite who could have easily been all state performers amongst high school competition this season. His 15-1’s team is equally as dominant led by long-time coach and USAV National perennial attendee Tui Atagi, III. These guys may not have the same college coaching experience as many of their peers, but they know how to win. The two squads currently boast a combined record of 95-12. Believe me when I say NCAA Division I colleges across the nation will strongly benefit from the athletes participating on these two squads in the future. 3. Springfield Juniors 17-1 Jen Bahner definitely made her name amongst the best in the junior college volleyball world after bringing home two national championships at Cowley College, but she wasn't done yet. After taking over at Drury University, she has completely rejuvenated the squad putting them amongst the top of the GLVC, as well as some of the best in the nation. Her Springfield Juniors 17’s squad is currently ranked 3rd in the Region boasting strong NCAA Division II and Mid-Major Division I talent, but no surprises here as two of the "studs" from this team, Tayte Kozlowski and Claire Taylor have already decided to take their talents to Drury. 4. Shockwave 17-1 Scott Larkin had a successful playing career at BYU, as well as part of the Men's National Team and playing overseas, before focusing his efforts into co-directing and coaching for Shockwave. This season his 17’s team is ranked 2nd in the HOA Region behind Mavs KC. Scott's squad is full of college ready athletes and will no doubt make an impact in their freshman seasons at the next level. 5. PVA 14-1 If it wasn't already apparent from our list, great club coaches seem to make great club directors. Christi Lutman is no exception to the rule. As a former Division 1 All American and record holder at Mizzou it was no surprise that Christi immediately changed the face of PVA. Her 14-1 team currently sits atop the HOA Region at 39-5 amongst fellow Open level teams like Topeka Impact and Adidas Dynasty 14-1. This group is definitely one to watch in the Region as these girls are sure to make big college visits in the next few years. 6. 417 Net Results 16-3 Hannah Werth was a household name during her playing days at Nebraska. Outside of being honored as an All-American multiple times, as well as the AVCA Freshman of the Year, Werth also had a highly decorated career overseas. Some people might ask how in the world she ended up in Springfield, Missouri and to those people I would say we are just that lucky! Her 16’s team currently has three NCAA Division I commits in Payton Van Veen, Maddy Bushnell and Kate Owen, and is sure to add more as the season goes further. Her squad is currently ranked 4th in the HOA Region and much to the dismay of the other clubs in the area, about a third of her team is playing up an age group this season. 7. Springfield Juniors 18-1 Lori Endicott-Vandersnick might be one of the most successful club coaches in Missouri and did I mention she played for the United States Olympic team? Her resume is far beyond what you would see from the normal club coach producing more NCAA Division I athletes than I can count on two hands. This season, her squad is full of D1 commits like Azyah Green, Kennedee Anderson and Julia McCown, not to mention Florida University commit Birdie Hendrickson. This squad already has their bid to nationals and are ranked 3rd in the HOA Region. The only question is, who gets Coach Lori next season? 8. Adidas Dynasty 17-1 Brian Tate is what comes to mind when I think of Dynasty and Rockhurst Volleyball. Brian's 17’s squad is bursting with Mid-Major NCAA Division I and high level Division II talent. Coaches will be lucky to get to these kids before they are fully committed to playing for him and the Hawks in the future. This season, Rockhurst finished 32-7, which should be no surprise to anyone who follows DII Volleyball. Tate has been a driving force behind the success at Rockhurst serving as an Assistant Coach since the Fall of 2017. His Dynasty squad currently sits at number 8 in the HOA Region. 9. Invasion 15-1 Craig Berg may not immediately ring a bell to club fanatics in the area, but the last name is sure to make an impact for a few more years at Washburn. His daughter, Genna, was a driving force behind an outstanding year for Washburn. Meanwhile, Berg is back to his winning ways with Invasion. He has produced countless college level prospects and this team is sure to follow suit currently sitting at 4th in the HOA Region. If you aren't familiar with this name, write it down, because college coaches across the state will be reaching out to this guy for years to come as he makes his name as one of the leading club trainers in the area. 10. Performance 18-1 Aleah Hayes is the current Assistant Coach at Columbia College making another NAIA National Championship appearance this season. Following a stand-out career at Columbia College, Hayes has returned to her alma mater to help breed even more success into the program. Her 18’s team has current commits from schools like Columbia College, Eastern Michigan, Arkansas Tech and Pitt State. Performance 18-1 already boasts a USA bid to Nationals and currently sits at number 6 in the HOA Region. 11. Thr33 16-1/Thr33 14-1 Kinsey Palmer isn't only a successful club coach, she is one of the area's best club directors. Currently, Kinsey has seven teams ranked within the Top-15 of the HOA Region. After a stint as the Assistant Coach at Evangel, Kinsey has focused her efforts on her club. Her 17’s team has a current UCA commit while her 16’s team is full of college ready athletes like Taylor Golmen and twins setter/libero and state champion combo Sam and McKinzie Thompson, just to name a few. Palmer’s 14-1 team currently sits at number 9 in the HOA Region, while the 16-1’s edge them out at #8. 12. H2 Columbia 18 UA Ashley Nehls has now spent two seasons in charge of the William Woods volleyball squad as well as two seasons leading the 18’s duties for H2 Columbia. Her 18-1 squad was the only team in mid-Missouri to receive a bid to nationals last season under fellow collegiate coach Garrett Case, who leads the 14 UA team this season at H2 Columbia. In two seasons with H2 Columbia, Coach Nehls has helped every athlete receive a college scholarship. Her 18 UA finished top 10 in the Region last season as juniors, and currently sits at number #11, boasting commits to Central Methodist University, William Woods, Benedictine and Mid America Nazarene. 13. Topeka Impact 17-1 Head Coach Mark Evans needs no introduction as he has coached and developed some of the best players in the Nation, including current Nebraska opposite Jazz Sweet. Much like other dominant coaches on our list, Evans is also a club director who sends athletes to notable NCAA DI and DII schools every year. His Topeka Impact 17-1's currently sits 5th in the HOA Region, while his 14-1's ranks 2nd with a record of 32-4. Any college coach within hours of the HOA should add Mark Evans to their list of coaches to know in terms of quality recruits. 14. Club North 15-1/Club North 18-1 Head Coach and Club Director Ibraheem Suberu has made a name for himself amongst the ranks in the HOA Region. After a successful coaching career at Pitt State, ‘Coach Ib’ has put Club North back on track to compete with the best of the best in the Region. Suberu is a huge supporter of all of his teams making himself a constant figure on most benches, but his 15 and 18 teams currently rank among the top 15 in the HOA Region. The highlight of his season so far is a second-place finish for the 18-1 group at the Martin Luther King, Jr., American Qualifying Tournament. 15. KC Power 16-1 Ever heard people say that sometimes the best players don't always make the best coaches? If there's an exception to the rule, Mike Stowell would be it. After being named an All-American not one, but three times, Stowell took his expertise to the collegiate coaching sidelines. Now as a club coach, he boasts 13 bids to Nationals as well as a club win/loss record well above .800. His 16's team currently sits in 2nd behind Mavs KC but are closing in fast, as they have already taken sets off of the current leader. Be sure to look for them to make a strong push at the #1 spot as the season rolls on.