Caira Dortch
11 National Navy Head Coach​
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Director of Player and Coach Development
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Recruiting Coordinator
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Dortch is in her 3rd year at Apex Volleyball Club as Recruiting Coordinator/Director of Coach and Player Development Coordinator. Dortch will also works with The Art of Coaching Volleyball, LLC. in addition to her roles with Apex Volleyball.
Dortch recently spent 6 seasons (2014-2020) as the Head Coach at NCAA D-II, Southwest Baptist University. During her time at SBU, there were 9 All-MIAA recognition and 46 MIAA Academic Honor Roll recognition. She also guided the team to an AVCA team-academic award in 2017 and 2018.
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Previous to SBU, Dortch spent three seasons (2011-2014) as the assistant coach at Drury University. At Drury, Dortch primarily trained the Defense and Outside Hitters. She helped lead the volleyball team to their first ever GLVC conference tournament win in 2011. Dortch coached multiple All-Conference and Academic All-Conference players while at Drury.
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In 2009, Dortch was the Assistant Varsity/Head JV Coach at Evangel and helped lead the team to a 28-9 record and a berth in the NAIA National Tournament.
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Dortch graduated in 2009 from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in French. She played volleyball for Arkansas from 2005-2006; 2008 where she was a setter and defensive specialist. Dortch went on to receive her Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Evangel University in 2011.
Caira currently resides in Republic, Missouri with her husband Jarrod and two daughters, Addisyn and Evyn.
Paige Huddleston
18 National Navy Head Coach
Currently Paige is the varsity coach at Cassville High School. More information on Paige will be updated soon.
Trisha Rapien
14 Regional Blue Head Coach
​18 National Navy Assistant Coach
Bio coming soon
Kennedy Hammit
17 National Navy Head Coach
Kennedy is entering her 5th year of coaching at Apex. She is a Willard High School alumni, where she received All-District honors (2015-2017) and helped lead her team to four back-to-back District Championships. Following high school, Kennedy attended College of the Ozarks where she continued her volleyball career as an outside hitter. After transferring, she graduated from Missouri State University in 2022. Kennedy returned to Willard as the freshman volleyball coach for one season before taking on her current position as the manager of Dynamic Body, a Pilates and wellness studio. She got married in October of 2023, and resides in Nixa with her husband and 2 dogs. She loves staying active, being social and doing anything creative! Her favorite part about coaching volleyball is not only competing and developing better athletes, but growing young female leaders on and off the court. Kennedy is excited to build relationships and create a positive volleyball experience for her team!
Caylie Adams
17 Regional Navy Head Coach
Caylie began playing volleyball in 5th grade and has loved the game ever since. Caylie was a 4 year varsity starter at Tippecanoe Valley High School as a six-rotation middle.
She then went on to play at Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana where she graduated in 2019. Caylie specialized in many positions. She began her college career training as an outside hitter and a defensive specialist. By her sophomore year, she was the team's libero and received NCCAA 2nd Team All-American. For her Junior year, her training transitioned back to outside hitter and defensive specialist and was a six rotation outside for the season. By her senior season, Caylie was the team captain and continued as a six rotation outside. She received NAIA All American Honorable Mention, NCCAA 1st Team All American, and The Crossroads League Player of the Year.
Coaching Experience:
Caylie has 4 years of coaching experience. She coached at Dunes Volleyball Club for 2 seasons while in college during her off-season. She was the head coach of local 14s teams for both years. She has coached 2 seasons here at NIVA for our 16s national teams.
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Deirdre Smith
16 National Navy Head Coach
Deirdre grew up playing both soccer and volleyball all four years of high school. She was First Team All-Northern for soccer and volleyball, and was the league MVP, team MVP, and top server. Deirdre went on to play volleyball at Evangel and was voted the Most Improved Player in 1993. She graduated college with a degree in physical education and obtained a Masters in Education with an emphasis in Physical Education from Missouri State University. Deirdre has an extensive coaching career, having coached Varsity volleyball at Springfield Catholic, JV volleyball at Parkview High School, middle school volleyball at Reed Middle School, and currently is going into her fourth season as the varsity coach at Hillcrest High School. Coach Smith has coached for Club Bear/Apex for 21 years and the last two took her teams to the GJNC's. Deirdre is CAP 2 Certified and has attended gold medal square coaches' training.
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Favorite Quote: "Most people get excited about games, but i've got to be excited about practice because that's my classroom" -Pat Summit
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Chris Smith
16 National Navy Assistant
Bio Coming Soon
Rachel Watson
16 National Navy Assistant
Bio coming soon
Kiley Alumbaugh
16 National Red Head Coach
Kiley attended Willard High School and played Club Bear volleyball during her time as a high school athlete. She continued her education and volleyball career at Evangel University where she majored in Early Childhood Education. She also received her Masters in Literacy through Missouri State University. She coached club volleyball for Club Bear during her collegiate career until she moved from Springfield to pursue a teaching job. She has coached volleyball for numerous age groups over the past 10 years. She is currently a Kindergarten teacher and a Momma to her two beautiful children. She is excited to build relationships and watch her players grow and develop.
Kara Fodge
16 Regional Navy Head Coach
Kara is the younger sister to Kiley our 16 National Red coach. She graduated from Willard High School in 2018. Kara played volleyball in high school as a 6 rotation outside and earned several honors including All-State. Kara played for Club Bear before it became Apex. She is married an has a son. Kara recently moved back to the area and is rejoining Apex this Fall after coaching for Apex previously while she was attending college. We are excited to have her knowledge and enthusiasm back in our gym this season!
Abbie Lane
15 National Navy Head Coach
​10 Regional Navy Head Coach
This is Coach Lane's fourth year coaching at Apex. Coach Lane and her teams have earned a bid to Girls Junior National Championships each year she has coached at Apex. Abbie played volleyball at the University of Kansas, primarily as a hitter. After graduating from KU, Coach Lane was the head coach at St. Teresa's Academy in Kansas City for 6 years before moving to the Springfield area with her husband and three children. While in KC, she also coached for the MAVS organization and led her 12-1's team to a GJNC second place finish!! She will bring years of experience on the court, as both a player and a coach. In addition, Abbie is a Certified Youth Exercise Specialist and NASM Certified Personal Trainer.
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Ashton Wildermuth
15 National Red Head Coach
Ashton grew up in Willard, MO where she attended Willard High School and graduated in 2020. Ashton played volleyball all 4 years of high school and 2 of those years playing at the varsity level. Ashton was the setter for Willard Tigers, where she led the team to 2 district championships, 2 COC championships, and 1 final four. She was a 2x all-state setter, 2x all district, 2x all-conference and Ozone setter of the year. Following high school, she attended Missouri State - West Plains in West Plains, MO as a setter where her team ended 9th in the National tournament. She has gained a lot of knowledge of the game over the years. Ashton coached for three years at Clever High School. She is attending Missouri State University to pursue her bachelor’s degree in Entertainment Management. Ashton also played competitive club volleyball for 6 years and went to the National tournament for 4 of those years. This is Ashton’s third year coaching at Apex and is super excited to create new relationships and make memories with the Apex family!
Brooke Gabriella
15 Regional Navy Head Coach
Bio coming soon
Ryen Hillhite
14 National Navy Head Coach
Two years of collegiate playing at Labette Community College.
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One year as head coach for the Carthage Spikers club coaching a select 17-1s and select 17-2s.
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One year as head coach for JOMO volleyball club coaching a premier 15-1s.
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One year as assistant coach for JOMO volleyball club coaching premier 16-1s.
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One year as the Lamar High School assistant volleyball coach.
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Two summers of assisting in coaching at Coffeyville Community College during their preseason weeks.
Sarah Holmes
14 National Red Head Coach
Sarah is a graduate of Camdenton High School where she played volleyball, basketball, and ran track. Playing club volleyball since she was little has impacted her and she has developed a love for the game. Sarah is currently at Missouri State University studying biomedical sciences. Sarah says "I am excited to coach this season and be a part of the Apex program!”
Courtney Jackson
14 Regional Navy Head Coach
Courtney played volleyball for 7 years before beginning her coaching career. She graduated from Hillcrest High School, where she played volleyball all four years. She has been a coach for Apex/Club Bear for 7 years now. She has coached many different age groups for Apex/Club Bear. Along with coaching club, Courtney has coached middle school volleyball for three years, one at Hickory Hills and two seasons at Ash Grove. Coach Jackson's goals as a coach are to give every player a chance to love the game and improve their skills while building teamwork. Courtney says, "I strive to be like Proverbs 21:35 “She is clothed in strength and dignity and laughs without fear of the future.”
Kye Browning
14 Regional Red Head Coach
Bio coming soon
Trisha Rapien
14 Regional Blue Head Coach
Bio coming soon
Kaley Thigpen
13 National Navy Head Coach
Kaley is in her 2 nd year at Apex Volleyball Club. Kaley graduated from Stockton High School in 2008 where
she earned several Conference and District honors and a State Championship. After high school, Kaley
continued her volleyball career at Cottey College where she played for one year and then transferred to
Northeast Oklahoma A&M for her second year.
Over the years, Kaley has continued to be involved in volleyball and coached for Club Bear South in 2011
and in 2012 was the Assistant High School Volleyball Coach for Spokane Schools, where she helped lead
the team to a District Championship. In 2013, Kaley moved to Texas and during that time, Kaley started a
volleyball club in the Houston area called Net Force Volleyball. Kaley served as the Director of Net Force
for 2 years before relocating back to Missouri.
Kaley currently resides in Purdy, Missouri with her husband Zach and three sons, Thierry (11), Philip (8),
and Harvey (2).
Chloe Regier
13 National Red Head Coach
Bio Coming soon
Raylee Burton
13 Regional Navy Head Coach
Bio Coming soon
Brynn Darrah
13 Regional Red Head Coach
Bio Coming soon
Carly Genzler
12 National Navy Head Coach
Carly attend Clever High School and graduated in 2020. In high school she played volleyball and ran track. She was on the varsity team all 4 years playing 6 rotations 3 of those 4 years. She earned several awards including, 4x academic all-state, 3x all-conference, 3x all-districts and all-state. Carly played volleyball for 10 years before deciding she wanted to showcase her passion for volleyball through coaching. After high school, she continued her education at Missouri State University studying Entertainment Management. She plans to get a Masters in Business Administration following graduation. This is Carly’s second year at Apex and she also coaches Freshman volleyball at Clever High School.
Savanna May
12 Regional Navy Head Coach
Bio Coming Soon
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Mariah Aldridge
12 Regional Red Head Coach
Mariah played two years of volleyball at Cottey College after playing volleyball since she was in the sixth grade. This is Mariah's second year coaching with Apex and enjoys working with the younger age groups to help develop their love for the game and improve their skills.
Malorie Ablan
11 Regional Navy Head Coach
Bio coming soon
TBA
11 Regional Red Head Coach
Bio Coming Soon
Abbie Lane
10 Regional Navy Head Coach
​15 National Navy Head Coach
This is Coach Lane's fifth year coaching at Apex. Coach Lane and her teams have earned a bid to Girls Junior National Championships competing in the 12 National division, 13 USA, and 14 USA. Coach Abbie Lane played volleyball at the University of Kansas, primarily as a hitter. After graduating from KU, Coach Lane was the head coach at St. Teresa's Academy in Kansas City for 6 years before moving to the Springfield area with her husband and three children. While in KC, she also coached for the MAVS organization and led her 12-1's team to a GJNC second place finish!! She will bring years of experience on the court, as both a player and a coach. She also brings her passion and competitiveness to her practices and we are lucky to have her also leading our 10's group in addition to coaching our 15 National Navy team. In addition to Coach Lane's coaching resume, Abbie is a Certified Youth Exercise Specialist and NASM Certified Personal Trainer.
TBA
10 Regional Red Head Coach
Bio coming soon
APEX STAFF 24-25
Barry Wheeler
FLOATER COACH
Originally from Flint, MI Coach Wheeler has 34 years combined experience in coaching/teaching at the college, high school, and club levels, with 17 years at the NAIA and NCAA DII level. Coach Wheeler received his BA from Harding University, MSS from United States Sports Academy, MEd from Southwest Baptist University, and is USA CAP II certified. Married to Lynette (1986), Barry has 3 children (Logan, Brandtly, and Lauren) and 5 grandchildren.
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HS/College Awards and Accomplishments:
Conference Coach of the Year (3x)
MHSVCA Class 2 Coach of the Year
Rochester University Shinsky Hall of Fame
National Champion (2x)
Missouri Class 2 State Champion
Conference Champion (4x)
District Champion (4x)
State Quarterfinalist (3x)
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Club Awards and Accomplishments:
Regional Champion (2x)
Lonestar National Qualifier Champion
USAV Girls National Championship participant
Mizuno Easterland Qualifier 3rd place
Mid-East National Qualifier Top 10
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SUE DAUGHERTY
APEX CLUB DIRECTOR
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CONNIE FARIA
APEX CLUB OWNER
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