John Watkins
John
competed for over 20 years playing competitive volleyball primarily as a Middle Hitter/Setter
combination. He has played at various levels from B to AA competing/participating in venues such as
USVBA, USVA, Delaware Olympics, Several Air Force base and intramural teams, Joint Military Athletic
Competition (JMAC), Jose Cuervo Beach Tournaments, recreational leagues, charity events, and several
others. He started playing competitive volleyball in 1986 while stationed in Turkey. Since then he has
played in Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virgina, Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, North Carolina,
Florida, New Mexico, California, Alabama, and Ohio.
This is John's first year as a coach (other than as a player coach) and his philosophy for coaching is based
on his mentorship from other coaches, research on the internet, lessons learned, and the successful
activities that promoted his transition from a B player to a AA player in 4 years. John's philosophy is that
Performance is derived from effort and execution. Where effort is everything you put into preparing
(conditioning, practice, and nutrition) and participating in competition and execution is the economical
and appropriate use of the skills that you learn in practice and competition.
John understands effort because it was a major component to his training as a player. John was
able to increase his vertical jump from ~24" to 42" in about a year through conditioning, practice,
and competing. His conditioning, practice, and playing kept him busy 7 days a week sometimes with
multiple sessions per day for over 5 years. He also understands the details of execution that was
learned from playing for several coaches and the lessons learned from competition. A major transition
in his skills came from attending Karch Kiraly's Volleyball Camp where he was taught the finer details
and "economy of motion" approach when executing skills.
John still has a deep passion for the sport and enjoys all the moments of mentoring and working
with the players and families, watching them develop, and watching their excitement when their
performance is exceptional.
Scott Ingwersen Scott is new coach with NACA this year. More bio later, but for now just know that he has been playing volleyball a very long time. He will be assisting John with this year's 14U team.
Amanda Hunter Amanda played competitive volleyball for Madison Academy starting in 6th grade until the 10th grade. She was a defensive specialist starter on the varsity team that won second in state. She transferred to Bob Jones and continued to play volleyball through her senior year in high school. In 2011 she was a skills coach for Grace Lutheran and realized how much she enjoyed the interaction with the players and honing their volleyball skills. Amanda is looking forward to bringing her experience and love for the game to a wonderful group of young ladies. Amanda will be coaching NACA's 13U team this year.
Lee Ann Pessoney Lee Ann is a new assistant coach with NACA this year. She will be assisting Amanda with the coaching of NACA's 13U team. More of her bio is coming soon...
Michelle Clay Michelle is the club director for NACA this year. More of her bio is coming soon...
Terry Abel Terry began playing competitive volleyball while a co-op student at Mississippi State in the early 80's, playing on an Army challenge team in Augusta GA. He has played in the local HVBA league for the past 20 years and helped start volleyball at Covenant Christian Academy (CCA) where he also served as their Athletic Director for 10 years. Terry began coaching a middle school team at CCA in 2002 and fielded a team in 2003 that went undefeated in the HISL and won two tournaments. He has coached CCA's high school team since 2004 where his teams have won numerous tournaments in Atlanta, Nashville, Florence, and Huntsville. Terry co-founded NACA where he has coached several 15, 16, and 17 year-old teams and also serves as a board member. His teams regularly compete at a high level seeking to demonstrate strong fundamentals from a Christ-centered foundation.
Doug Taylor Doug is a co-founder, an ongoing board member of NACA, and was the club director for the first 3 years. He has played volleyball for 20 years and has enjoyed coaching on and off for eight years with NACA and for Covenant Christian Academy. In 2008, his 131 NACA team won two of their six 13 Power tournaments. Doug especially enjoys teaching the correct mechanics for volleyball skills.