WHAT IS A HYBRID VOLLEYBALL CLUB?

HEAD OF BEACH PROGRAM - OLYMPIC COACH

Pompilio Mercadante is a world-class beach volleyball coach with over 20 years of experience coaching at the highest levels of the sport. A former USA National Team coach, he has worked with over 100 Olympians—including medalists like Alison Cerutti—and helped lead numerous top finishes on both the AVP and international stages, including standout performances in Chicago and Hermosa during the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

With over 70 medals on the FIVB World Tour and 10+ medals on the AVP Tour, Coach Pompilio is one of the most respected and accomplished beach volleyball coaches in the U.S.

He has also coached indoor club teams and brings a well-rounded perspective to athlete development. As the head coach of the beach program at Club SOL, Pompilio is passionate about developing the next generation of athletes. He believes the hybrid model—training in both indoor and beach—is the smartest and most effective way to elevate every part of a player’s game.

Coach Pompilio is excited to bring his global experience and technical expertise to Club SOL and lead the beach training with excellence.

Fun fact: He loves riding horses and used to be a professional boogie boarder!

ASSISTANT COACH 16 TEAL - RECRUITING COORDINATOR - BEACH VOLLEYBALL COACH

Melissa Powell is a professional beach volleyball player and elite-level coach with a decorated background in both indoor and beach volleyball. She has trained with legends like Kerri Walsh Jennings, Olympic coach Marco Sicoli, and renowned international coaches Pompilio Mercadante and Leandro Pinheiro. Competing for Team USA, she earned a 5th-place finish on the World Tour and placed 3rd at an AVP Next Gold Series event.

Melissa played Division I indoor volleyball at Central Michigan University and later at Houston Baptist University (now HCU), where she competed in both indoor and beach and helped lead her team to its first Southland Conference Championship appearance. She also competed in PAC-12 beach volleyball for the University of Utah.

Her coaching experience spans both disciplines, including time as an assistant at Pleasant Grove High School, where she helped lead the team to a Utah State Championship, and as a club coach for Club Utah’s 17s team. She’s also led private lessons, camps, and clinics for years, including two seasons coaching for RAKI Volleyball in California.

Melissa is the founder of Project Beach Utah, the top beach training program in the state, and the owner of Beach Box, Utah’s first indoor training facility dedicated to year-round beach volleyball. She continues to compete professionally for Team USA and will help lead Club SOL’s beach training alongside Olympic coach Pompilio Mercadante.

As Club SOL’s recruiting coordinator, Melissa supports athletes on both the indoor and beach paths through the entire college recruiting process. Having played both at the D1 level, she knows firsthand how each format strengthens the other—and she’s passionate about helping athletes unlock their full potential.

Fun fact: Melissa plays the piano—and there’s a good chance you’ve already seen her pop up on your TikTok FYP.

Hype Song: Yeah! by Usher

ASSISTANT COACH 14 PINK

Morgan Sorensen brings over 15 years of coaching experience and a lifetime love for the game to Club Sol. A former four-year letter winner at Pleasant Grove High School and State Champion, she went on to play as the starting libero at Salt Lake Community College, helping her team to a 3rd-place finish at the NJCAA National Finals. She then transferred to BYU, where she played libero for two more years at the D1 level.

As a player, Morgan also competed internationally with a USA High Performance team, traveling to Russia, Italy, Croatia, and Slovenia, and later represented Utah in a match against a visiting Russian team. These experiences deeply shaped her love for the sport—and now she shares that passion with the next generation of athletes.

Morgan is known for her technical focus on passing, serving, and defense, and for helping players develop positive energy and mindset on the court. Her coaching philosophy emphasizes not just skills, but also confidence, teamwork, and learning how to grow through both wins and losses.

She’s especially excited to be part of Club Sol because it brings together two of her greatest joys: coaching volleyball and sharing the experience with her daughter.

Fun fact: Morgan is a cowgirl at heart—she loves barrel racing and trail riding in the mountains.

Advice to athletes: “Surround yourself with great people. Keep learning. And don’t forget—this sport is FUN.”

Hype song: "Can’t Hold Us" by Macklemore

ASSISTANT COACH 15 TEAL

Desi McPhail is a passionate and joyful presence on the Club Sol coaching staff, bringing over 10 years of experience and a powerful personal playing journey to the court. A JUCO All-American and first-team All-Conference selection across high school, JUCO, and NAIA, Desi was a dominant middle and right-side hitter—finishing top 5 in the nation for both blocking and hitting percentage during her collegiate career.

Her favorite moment as a player? Racking up 28 kills against a triple block in a match against her team’s biggest rival—a performance that nearly broke the school record. But what truly defines Desi is her heart for coaching. During college, she coached club teams for three years, helping “second teams” transform into most improved squads that peaked at the right time. She thrives on guiding players through setbacks, growth, and breakthroughs.

Now a Certified Life Coach, Desi has a gift for helping athletes get out of their own heads and tap into their true potential. She brings a mix of technical precision, mindset work, and total joy to every practice.

Desi is excited to help build something meaningful at Club Sol—a culture where athletes are safe to fail, free to grow, and always encouraged to find the joy in the journey.

Fun fact: She loves understanding how things work—whether it’s volleyball, mindset, or life processes in general.

Known for: Spreading love, teaching with joy, and helping athletes break mental barriers.

Advice to athletes: “The only thing ever holding you back from what you want is your thoughts.”

Hype song: “One Call” by Lecrae

ASSISTANT COACH 14 TEAL

Ashley Taylor brings eight years of coaching experience, contagious energy, and a passion for people to Club Sol. Originally a softball and basketball player, she stumbled into volleyball as a freshman at Brighton High School—and never looked back. She played club for High Country Volleyball and later competed for UVU’s collegiate club team as a middle blocker and opposite.

Ashley’s love for coaching started early and has only grown stronger with each season. She’s especially known for developing beginners—many of whom have gone on to play at the high school, club, and collegiate level. Her coaching style is all about helping players see their next step and believing in their ability to reach it, with an emphasis on joy, resilience, and mental strength.

What excites Ashley most about Club Sol is the perfect blend of high-level coaching and heart. “A 10’ vertical means nothing if you don’t have heart,” she says—and she lives that philosophy every day in the gym.

Fun fact: Ashley is missing a toe and only sees out of one eye—but her remaining 9 toes and one eye are crushing it.

What she’s known for: Big energy, loud encouragement, and celebrating every win—on and off the court.

Advice to athletes: “There is no growth in comfort and no comfort in growth. Lean in.”

Hype song: "Toxic" by Britney Spears, obviously.

HEAD COACH 15 TEAL

With over 18 years of coaching experience, Jared Bishop brings deep knowledge, competitive fire, and sarcastic humor to the court. A former setter and outside hitter at UVU, Jared has also competed at the Open level in beach and grass volleyball, earning multiple doubles beach wins.

Jared’s coaching résumé is stacked: he’s led teams to five state championships and helped over 150 athletes move on to play collegiate volleyball. He holds certifications from GMS, Art of Coaching Volleyball, IMPACT, CAP, and is CPR certified.Known for his technical precision, high standards, and positive relationships, Jared creates an environment where athletes are pushed to give 100% effort in every rep—and in life. His coaching philosophy is all about attention to detail, consistency, and building good humans through sport.

Jared is excited to be part of Club Sol, where he gets to develop athletes in both indoor and beach—and reunite with the Fuchs crew after all these years.

Fun fact: He’s never thrown up. Not once.

Advice to athletes: “It’s what you do when no one is watching that counts.”

Hype song: “Down with the Sickness” by Disturbed

HEAD COACH 13 TEAL & ASSISTANT COACH 16 PINK

Josh Powell is a high-energy, high-impact coach with a sharp eye for potential and a deep commitment to player development. With three years of coaching experience, he’s IMPACT certified, NFHS verified, and CPR/AED certified, bringing both skill and safety to every session.

Josh started as a setter in junior high and later became a three-year varsity libero, eventually training with the Men’s Volleyball Team at Southern Virginia University. He’s also a dedicated beach player and currently competes at the AA level, with tournament wins and consistent success on the sand.

As a coach, Josh is known for his massive energy, strong relationships with athletes, and belief in the power of confidence. “There’s no better feeling,” he says, “than watching a player’s self-belief and personality grow as their game improves.”

Josh is stoked to be part of Club Sol, where player growth, joy, and development come first. His coaching style? Work hard, play hard. When athletes love the game, they’ll be willing to work for it.

Fun fact: Josh was the lead singer in a rock band as a kid—he’s always had a flair for performance.

Advice to athletes: “Be humble. You can learn something from everyone.”

Hype song: "Champion" by Kanye West

Coach Eric played for the USU men’s club team from 2010–2012, starting as an outside hitter before transitioning to setter. Since then, he’s stayed active in the volleyball scene through adult leagues and tournaments—earning King of the Beach titles at Wasatch Beach, Sandbar SLC, and Mtn Peak, and placing in numerous UOVA grass events over the years.

Eric has an extensive coaching background, having served as head coach for the Utah State University women’s club team and the USU men’s volleyball club, volunteer assistant for the NCAA Division I Utah State women’s program, and boys’ volleyball coach at Pleasant Grove High School.

As a GMS Level 1 Certified coach, he believes in a simple, fundamentals-first approach. His philosophy: master the basics, keep it simple, and let consistency lead to confidence. He loves seeing his athletes grow on and off the court.

Eric is excited to be part of Club SOL and believes strongly in the power of hybrid training—especially how beach and grass volleyball can elevate a player’s all-around skill set.

Advice to athletes: "Be self-aware and analytical. The best players aren’t the ones who have to ask the coach 'what did I do there?' But are able to note what they did and instead ask 'what should I have done differently?'"

Fun fact: Coach Eric has even made a few appearances on ESPN.

ASSISTANT COACH 16 TEAL

Kalin Taylor is bringing his energy, playlists, and passion for the game to Club Sol as a first-year coach—and he’s ready to make an impact. A former outside hitter who played throughout high school and club, Kalin now competes in AA-level grass volleyball tournaments, and lives for the competition (especially when he’s pulling off solo blocks on top players like Brendan Sanders—just ask him about it).

Kalin is driven to help athletes grow, compete hard, and love the game. He’s excited to be part of a club that values development over drama and believes in doing things the right way.

His philosophy? “Ball out and get up.” Kalin keeps things simple, hype, and fun—and the fire playlists and big energy are just a bonus.

Fun fact: Kalin was a radio DJ in high school for three years.

Advice to athletes: “Leave it all on the court.”

Hype song: “Backseat Freestyle” by Kendrick Lamar

ASSISTANT COACH 13 TEAL

Taylor Ferrel is a high-energy coach with strong technical insight and a deep passion for volleyball. As a former middle blocker at the NJCAA and NCAA Division II levels, she earned All-Conference honors and ranked 5th in the nation for blocks per set for eight straight weeks. One of her favorite memories was leading Utah State Eastern to a historic reverse sweep, securing second place in the conference for the first time in school history.

With three years of coaching experience at the youth, high school, club, collegiate, and professional levels, Taylor brings a coaching style built on encouragement, connection, and growth. She creates a positive, competitive environment where athletes feel supported and motivated to improve.

Taylor is thrilled to be part of Club Sol, drawn to its mission of developing athletes based on heart, skill, and hard work—not connections.

Fun fact: She’s also a photographer who loves capturing everyday moments.

Advice to athletes: “Get lost in the little moments. Those are what you’ll remember.”

Hype Song: Slim Shady by Eminem

RECRUITING COORDINATOR & CLUB MANAGER

Rebecca Stewart brings elite playing experience and a firecracker energy to the Club Sol recruiting team. A former Division I outside and right-side hitter at Weber State, Rebecca knows what it takes to compete—and succeed—at the highest level. As a high school standout at Menomonee Falls (WI), she was a four-year letter winner, All-State selection, multi-sport athlete, and tournament MVP.

At Weber State, she led her team in total points during her sophomore season, racking up 298 kills, 29 aces, and 74 blocks—with a career-high 22 kills in a single match. She was known for her versatility, grit, and clutch performances in high-pressure moments.

Now with 10+ years of coaching experience, Rebecca brings that same intensity and belief in her players to the court. She’s passionate about using volleyball as a tool for confidence-building and character development. “Sports are one of the best ways to find your inner motivation,” she says. “I want to be the coach that helps athletes discover strength they didn’t know they had.”

As a recruiting coordinator at Club Sol, Rebecca is excited to help players find their perfect fit in college. With her firsthand knowledge of the recruiting process and high-level competition, she’s a valuable guide for both athletes and parents navigating the journey.

Fun fact: She dreams of singing on America’s Got Talent and practices her set list in the car—daily.

Known for: Energy, fire dancing, and telling athletes to “do it anyway.”

Advice to athletes: “Find your fire and don’t let anyone burn it out.”

Hype song: “180” by Bobby Brackins

CERTIFIED MENTAL STRENGTH & PERFORMANCE COACH

Coach Makayla Broadbent is Club Sol’s dedicated Mental Performance Coach, bringing the mindset tools and perspective young athletes need to thrive—not just in volleyball, but in life. A former Division I middle blocker at Utah Valley University, Makayla knows firsthand what it’s like to compete at a high level and face the mental challenges that come with it. She was named to the All-District Team and honored with the Intermountain Inspirational Athlete Award during her playing career.

Now a certified Mental Game Coaching Professional (MGCP), Makayla coaches through Athlete Mental Game Coaching (AMGC), working with athletes to help them perform with confidence, purpose, and resilience. One of her standout coaching stories includes helping a player go from struggling with confidence and inconsistent playing time to becoming a confident starter who earned a spot on her club’s 1’s team.

Makayla’s coaching style is all about connection, accountability, and growth. She meets athletes where they are—helping them feel seen, supported, and capable of using mental tools to level up their mindset and unlock their full potential.

She’s especially excited to bring this mental performance focus to Club Sol, where she sees a culture of hard work, fun, and genuine growth. “It’s going to be such a fun, competitive year, and I can’t wait to be part of helping these girls grow—on and off the court.”

Fun fact: Makayla makes sourdough bread in her free time.

Advice to athletes: “You have so much worth outside of volleyball. Don’t tie your identity to performance—just aim to get 1% better every day and enjoy the journey.”

Hype song: “Snap Yo Fingers” by Lil Jon