our coaches
AMBER BETTILYON
Amber started playing volleyball at her mother’s knee at 10 years old. Her love of the game grew quickly. At Provo High School in Utah, she quickly made the JV/Varsity team as a sophomore playing libero. Her junior year they took 4th in state. Her senior year as a team captain, she played outside hitter. She played 3 years of club ball. Amber coached 2 seasons of club and 1 season of high school. While pursuing her bachelor’s degree in music and minor in ASL, she was always involved in some kind of volleyball; classes, intramurals, pick up play, sand, and grass. She is married and has 3 daughters.
JULIA GRANATO
Julia is a former College Club Player and Manager. She played outside hitter/setter and enjoys teaching and learning. She was selected to play internationally in Europe in 2014 and currently works for CMS as a Speech Therapist. She has 12 years of playing experience and is excited to have her own team and to compete as a NC Gold coach this next season as our 15U coa
MADYSON DOMSTER
Madyson is from Olean, New York and she has a Bachelors Degree in exercise science and she is currently working on her Masters Degree in Sports Management with a specialization in Coaching at Wingate University. Madyson has been working as a student assistant with the Wingate Volleyball team for 2 years and she is currently the Head Varsity Girls Coach & JV/Varsity Mens Head Coach at Union Academy Charter School. During her High School years her team won a State Championship, she played beach volleyball winning a National Qualifier and played Club at Octane Volleyball Club. She is ready to put all her knowledge and expertise into coaching at NC Gold Volleyball Academy and we are thrilled to have her leading our 15U and 17U teams.
Tricia Foster
Tricia Foster played both club and high school volleyball in California. She then went on to play volleyball at a D1 college in Texas called SFASU.
She began her club career in California coaching for Empower volleyball club, and Laguna Beach Volleyball Club. Her last year coaching in California she lead her 13s team to be a top 5 team in SCVA. She moved to North Carolina and began coaching a top 12s team at CUVC and ended the season with multiple Gold medals finishing in the top 80 in the country. This past year Tricia lead her 13 open team at CUVC to take home 6 Gold medals and taking 5th place in the Gold division of Premier at AAU nationals in Florida with a record of 52-11 and winning THE MOST VICTORIOUS TEAM in the club. Her 13U team ended the season 35th in the Country! She is currently an Assistant Coach at Nations Ford High School and NC Gold is excited to have her lead our & 16U teams to Victory!
KJ JACKSON
Coach KJ is a highly experienced volleyball coach with over 12 years of coaching experience, who has worked with athletes of various ages and skill levels in and around Charlotte. Her passion for the sport of volleyball began over 20 years ago when she first stepped onto the court as a freshman in high school. She quickly earned a spot on the varsity team among upperclassmen and was a key player in their team's victory at the State Championship that year. As a team captain for all 4 years she received multiple awards for her contributions to the team.
After graduating, Coach KJ continued to pursue their passion for volleyball by accepting a D1 recruitment offer to join the NC A&T State University Volleyball team. She transitioned into coaching after college and has since trained and coached athletes of all ages, including 10-17 year-olds in clinics, high school and travel club teams, as well as adults. With a coaching style that emphasizes the importance of teamwork, communication, and a growth mindset. Coach KJ is committed to helping each athlete she works with achieve their full potential both on and off the court. She is dedicated to providing a fun, safe and supportive learning environment.
Todd barnes
We are delighted to have Todd Barnes as part of the NC Gold coaching staff.
Aaron Decker
Aaron has over 20 years of volleyball coaching experience at many different levels including: volley tots, JV, Varsity, club volleyball at the local, regional and national levels, volunteer assistant Division 1 (St Bonaventure University). I have coached both boys and girls at the JV and Varsity level. I was responsible for starting the club volleyball scene and volley tots (youth) program in Cattaraugus County in South Western New York. With the assistance of current Virginia Tech assistant Volleyball Coach and former head coach at St Bonaventure University, John Wasielewski, we started COBRA Volleyball Club based out of Olean, NY. As club director, I was responsible for all aspects of the club. As a head coach in COBRA, I coached national teams at the 15U-18U level, as well as assisted with 13U-14U national teams. Our teams competed up and down the East Coast and made several appearances at Nationals. As a high school coach, I coached the Portville Lady Panthers volleyball teams. I coached both JV and Varsity and led the Lady Panthers to the school’s first State Championship in 2008. I was named WNY Coach of the Year. I also coached Boys Varsity Volleyball at Cuba Rushford High School for 2 seasons. I am truly a student of the game as can be seen by my massive collection of coaching videos, books and notes from having attended numerous AVCA coaches Conventions and clinics hosted across the country by some of the best college and Olympic coaches. I attained CAP III level coaching certification through USA Volleyball. I look forward to sharing my love and passion for the game of volleyball with the NC GOLD Volleyball Club as a whole, but especially for the athletes and parents I will be working directly with.
KEN TUCKER
We are delighted to have Ken Tucker as part of the NC Gold coaching staff.
kellie streater
Kellie is the JV Head Coach and Assistant Varsity Coach for Union Academy Charter School. She played Middle and Right-Side hitter during high school as well as on Junior Olympic teams. She continued to play club in college and in adult leagues after graduation.
She currently lives in Monroe with her husband, Matthew, and her dog, Charlie. She's excited to join NC Gold and to coach a great team of volleyball players.
Shi'Anne Caldwell
Shianne Caldwell is the Assistant Volleyball Coach at Charlotte Country Day Middle School, where she brings her passion and experience to help develop young athletes. With over a decade of playing experience, Shianne started her volleyball journey in middle school and continued playing competitively through high school, on club teams, and in a college club team. She remains an active player today, competing in various leagues.
Her coaching philosophy centers on fostering teamwork, building fundamental skills, and instilling confidence in players both on and off the court. Shianne is committed to creating a positive, motivating environment where athletes can grow and excel while developing a love for the game.
When she’s not coaching, Shianne continues to pursue her personal development in the sport and remains deeply involved in the volleyball community, always looking for ways to inspire and uplift the next generation of players.
Lindsay Umi
We are delighted to have Lindsay Umi as part of the NC Gold coaching staff.
Tim WIlliard
We are delighted to have Tim WIlliard as part of the NC Gold coaching staff.