Meet the Coaches
Shockwave prides itself in it's coaching staff and the level of experience we are able to provide our athletes. Our satisfaction comes from helping your athlete reach their highest potential. If you're interested in joining our coaching staff, visit our jobs page.
6v6 (13U) Girls Head Coach
Louie Fan
Having previous experience coaching multiple sports, Louie joins Shockwave eager to bring his knowledge and enthusiasm to help develop skilled and well-rounded athletes. He sees volleyball as an excellent way to teach both tangible and intangible skills needed on and off the court. His coaching style creates an environment where athletes learn to support each other, be more confident in themselves, be open to make, learn, and succeed from their mistakes, and to become a voice on and off the court. Louie also draws a lot on his experience as a teacher at a local high school where he also coaches the volleyball team.
6v6 (13U) Girls Head Coach
Riley Brandon
After transitioning from player to coach, Riley has demonstrated an innate ability to connect with her athletes on a personal level. She creates a supportive and nurturing environment where players feel empowered to take risks and grow as individuals and as a team. Riley’s coaching philosophy emphasizes the development of both technical proficiency and strategic acumen, encouraging her players to embrace challenges, learn from their mistakes, and celebrate their successes.
TLS (14U)/16U Girls Head Coach
Caetano Weisenblum
Coach Cae brings a wealth of experience and passion from his extensive playing career to the club. With a background that includes club volleyball and competing on the varsity team at George Brown. Caetano has a deep understanding of the game from both a player and a coach perspective. Now in his third year coaching in the OVA, he excels at mentoring athletes, whether they're just starting out or looking to polish their advanced skills. Caetano's coaching philosophy centres around fostering a strong sense of self-respect, integrity, and perseverance within his team. He aims to create an encouraging and inclusive environment where every player feels valued and motivated to improve. By focusing on both technical volleyball skills and personal growth, Caetano prepares his players to succeed not only on the court but in all areas of life.
14U Girls Head Coach
Abigail Benemerito
​Since childhood, Abigail has been deeply passionate about volleyball. She has earned championships at both the school and club levels and has also coached her school's junior volleyball team. Through these experiences, Abigail has gained a comprehensive understanding of the game's key elements and the challenges players face. As she transitions from being a player to a coach, she aims to impart her knowledge and skills to help develop aspiring athletes. With her profound grasp of the sport, she is committed to creating an environment that inspires and motivates players to reach their full potential. Abigail is thrilled to join the Shockwave family and hopes to gain more coaching experience while sharing her enthusiasm for volleyball.
14U Girls Head Coach
Mark Habib
Mark has been teaching Phys. Ed. for last 6 years at a school in Toronto where he also coaches volleyball. He grew up playing many sports, including volleyball and enjoys teaching/coaching all his students. He believes that through sports, we can teach students to build good character, so they can continue to grow and become successful members in our society. Mark is excited to be part of the Shockwave organization and begin a new journey in coaching.
15U Girls Head Coach
Josh Pereira
Coach Josh has been playing volleyball since he was 10. He started out on the beach where he was able to hone his skills eventually moving up to the premier division in his 15U year. Eventually, he decided to move to indoor where he played for Venom and were top 8 in the province consistently every year. When the pandemic hit in 2020, and losing out on 17u provincials and nationals and his entire 18u season, he took a break from volleyball before signing with Seneca. He is entering his third year playing and will continue to play a big leadership role on the team. This will be Josh's second year as a coach and he is very excited and passionate to share his volleyball knowledge with aspiring athletes and help them reach their full potential and accomplish all their goals!
15U Girls Head Coach
Justin Kelly
Justin is a skilled volleyball player with a strong passion for the sport. His patience and enthusiasm for volleyball is contagious. He will ensure all players succeed and compete to the best of their ability. Justin is dedicated and committed to all of the athletes he coaches and will ensure that he is a great role model instilling the passion for the sport both on and off the court in all.
15U Girls Head Coach
Saad Shams
Coach Saad brings invaluable experience to his coaching role, having progressed to competing at the elite Ontario level. This journey has not only deepened his understanding of the game but also equipped him with unique strategic insights that set him apart as a coach. His dedication to mentoring athletes is evident in his unwavering commitment to fostering a supportive team culture. He prioritizes skill development, teamwork, and personal growth, ensuring that each player not only finds success on the court but also builds resilience and confidence in life. He is focused on unlocking every athlete's full potential, inspiring them to face challenges with determination and celebrate their accomplishments. His holistic approach makes him the ideal coach for young athletes striving to excel in both sports and their personal journey.
17U Girls Head Coach
Stella Dada
​Having competed at the collegiate level with both Centennial and Seneca College, Stella is now poised to channel her extensive knowledge and honed leadership skills into her coaching career. Her experience on the court has provided her with a deep understanding of the game, strategic insight, and the ability to inspire and mentor athletes. Stella is committed to fostering a positive and dynamic team environment, focusing on skill development, teamwork, and personal growth, ensuring that each player reaches their full potential both on and off the court.
18U Girls Head Coach
Michael Cvitkovic
A trained Development Coach, Michael brings high energy and a holistic athlete development approach to the volleyball court. He provides Shockwave with a wealth of volleyball experience in coaching and club leadership, with a concentrated effort in the Train to Train and Learn to Compete stages of Volleyball Canada’s Long Term Athlete Development Model. A certified official with Volleyball Canada, Michael is enrolled in the Regional Upgrade Program. Coach Michael promotes his mantra of “Effort, Focus and Fun” through athlete and parent communication, planning, on-going education and passion.
Technical Director
Vishnu Persaud
Vishnu joins the Shockwave coaching staff having previously coached with several clubs in Toronto as well as with the OVA's regional program, Ontario Summer Games, and Volleyball Canada's Centre of Excellence. He has over 20 years of coaching experience and has coached over 60 indoor teams. Vishnu is an NCCP performance (level 3) in training coach who follows the models set forth by the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) using double goal coaching to teach life lessons through sport. Using their techniques, he encourages and motivates his athletes to perform their best. Vishnu is one of only 20 certified coach evaluators in the Ontario.
6v6 (13U) Girls Assistant Coach
Daryll Jose
​Starting his first year of club only last year, Daryll has quickly developed a deep understanding of the game of volleyball. As a former student coach for his High School Junior team, Daryll developed the team's offensive capabilities, expanding the junior teams arsenal. Daryll is excited to join the Shockwave coaching staff and further develop his coaching skills.
14U Girls Assistant Coach
Fabio Melchert
Fabio is a trained NCCP Development Coach with more than 40 years of experience as an active player. He has played as a setter at competitive levels for several teams in High School and University leagues. He brings a strong sense of teamwork and a permanent commitment to continuing learning. Above all, he believes in the "Volleyball for life" principle and the overall importance of sports in the lives of young athletes. Fabio is in his second season with Shockwave, with experience as an assistant coach for 13U girls Sharks.
15U Girls Assistant Coach
Ferana Rouhi Maleki
6v6 (13U) Girls Assistant Coach
Gabi Beatty
Coach Gabi's deep love for the sport and club background have greatly influenced her coaching style. Whether she's guiding newcomers through the fundamentals or honing advanced skills, Gabi strives to instill an appreciation for every piece of the game in her team. Beyond volleyball, Gabi prioritizes values such as respect, integrity, and resilience, fostering a supportive team atmosphere where each player is empowered to develop. Her philosophy centres on nurturing not only technical volleyball skills, but also self-assurance and collaborative spirit, equipping her players for achievements both within and beyond the game.
15U Girls Assistant Coach
Heart Fortuno
From a young age, Heart developed a love for volleyball which has only grown stronger with time. She began playing club volleyball at 16 and served as co-captain during her 17U/18U season. Known for her positive attitude and leadership, she has been an inspiration to her teammates and coaches. She prioritizes building trust and confidence among her teammates and looks forward to joining the Seneca Sting Women's Volleyball Team for the 2024-2025 season. As a student coach for her high school's junior girls volleyball team, she focused on teaching fundamental skills and improving their self-confidence. She believes in continuous improvement, regardless of experience level, as the key to success in volleyball.
14U Girls Assistant Coach
Jessie Mundy
Jessie joined her high school volleyball team in grade nine. Having less experience from before, this was something she was nervous about. Overtime she grew to love the sport and the companionship it came with. She stayed in volleyball all throughout high school and helped coach the younger grades. Her journey in volleyball has taught the importance of teamwork, discipline, and resilience—values she aims to instill in players. She is committed to creating a positive and supportive environment where young athletes can thrive, learn, and grow. Her goal is to empower each player to reach their full potential, fostering a love for the game that extends beyond the court.
TLS (14U) Girls Assistant Coach
Johnny Poveda
Johnny came to Canada from Venezuela 5 years ago where he coached and nurtured many athletes in various sports. His passion and competitive nature came from beach volleyball where he played for various teams back in Spain. Johnny now in Canada, runs camps for students to learn the love of sport. He is a great role model to all athletes and instills compassion, dedication and perseverance to all he coaches. Johnny has an outstanding ability to communicate with players and guide them to confidence in the sport. His love for the game will no doubt be contagious to all he coaches.
15U Girls Assistant Coach
Liam Gould
​Liam is a dedicated coach to the sport of volleyball. His passion for the sport of far surpasses those in similar interest, saying "it’s one of the most important things in my life and I want others to feel this way”. Liam uses his skills learned from his previous club volleyball experience as well as years of house league and high school coaching experience to coach for the 2024-2025 season. Liam is in the kinesiology program at Durham college where he learns about performance sports training, using this knowledge to his advantage on the court as well as on the sidelines coaching his team.
15U Girls Assistant Coach
Marc Esguerra
Marc has been playing volleyball since the age of 12. Having been coached by several players from Canada's Natinoal Team and former pro players, he grew in the sport and eventually went on to play for the Centennial men's volleyball program and was a finalist at provincials. As a coach, Marc is looking to develop player's technical skills as well and provide a deeper understanding of the game.
16U Girls Assistant Coach
Melanie Liu
Whether mentoring beginners or guiding advanced players, Melanie is a volleyball coach who instills a love for the game while cultivating the skills necessary for success. Her extensive playing experience, combined with her genuine passion for coaching, make her an invaluable asset to any team. Melanie’s commitment to her players' growth extends beyond the court, as she emphasizes the importance of character development, fostering a culture of respect, integrity, and resilience.
15U Girls Assistant Coach
Ryan Kim
​Ryan is excited to start his journey as a volleyball coach, bringing six years of playing experience to the team. Having played since a young age, Ryan has a strong understanding of the game and a deep passion for volleyball.
Over the years, Ryan has honed his skills through practice and competition, developing a solid grasp of strategy, teamwork, and technique. This experience has given him the tools to help players improve and enjoy the game.
As a coach, Ryan believes in creating a positive and inclusive environment where every player feels valued. He will focus on teamwork, sportsmanship, and building confidence, aiming to help each player reach their full potential.
He is eager to share his love for volleyball and support the growth and development of all players.
14U Girls Assistant Coach
Samantha Iannelli
​Samantha brings a wealth of coaching experience to the Shockwave team, having dedicated five years to developing volleyball talent. With two championship titles at the school level, Samantha has demonstrated a keen ability to lead teams to success on the court with a deep understanding of teamwork and strategy. Beyond volleyball, Samantha is a passionate French Immersion teacher, instilling a love for language and culture in her students, and an avid coach throughout the school year. Samantha can't wait to share her love for volleyball and teamwork with the Shockwave team, and she's excited to inspire and empower the athletes she works with.
15U Girls Assistant Coach
Samantha Naccarato
​Samantha is a seasoned and accomplished coach with a background in coaching effectively and leading teams to victories. She is wholeheartedly committed to helping student athletes realize their greatest athletic potential. Samantha is looking to help instruct athletes regarding serving, blocking and passing. Bringing forth the ability to skilfully help players make conscious decisions to improve their form, technique and performance level while also enjoying the game of volleyball.
14U Girls Assistant Coach
Thuy Le
Thuy is excited to bring extensive playing experience to the coaching realm at Shockwave . Although new to coaching, Thuy has a deep understanding of the game, having played at a competitive level for over a decade. Her playing career has provided her with valuable insights into volleyball, which she now brings to her coaching approach. Thuy places a strong emphasis on technical skill development, believing that mastering the fundamentals is the key to both individual success and team growth. Alongside technical development, Thuy is committed to helping athletes understand game play strategy, emphasizing the importance of court awareness, communication, and decision-making in match situations. Thuy’s goal is to help each player grow not only as an athlete but as a thinker of the game. Through continuous learning, Thuy hopes to help players not only improve their skills but also develop a love for the game.
18U Girls Assistant Coach
Tony Kiriakou
One of the most successful coaches in recent memory, Coach Kiriakou has led some of the strongest volleyball programs in the country. His Uxbridge Tigers have captured the past two OFSAA AAA Boys championships. Having previously coached in the OVA with two other clubs, Coach Kiriakou earned OVA Tier 1 gold as well as a bronze and silver medals at Volleyball Canada Nationals. He has coached dozens of Volleyball Canada and OVA all-stars who have graduated to play for elite post-secondary programs. He also created the “Volleyball Village” which instilled a volleyball family atmosphere,
bonding students and alumni for life.