Our Pack Leaders

Meet our leaders and get to know us. Here you can read up on our coaches, their playing careers, coaching careers and a bit more about them.

Alykhan Kassam

Alykhan began partaking in athletics at a very early age in life and excelled at many sports. Since then, Alykhan has played on numerous teams. His playing career has led him to partake in numerous tournaments within Canada and the US as well as tournaments reaching as far as Nairobi, Kenya.

In 2008, Alykhan decided it was time to start teaching others and to pass on his love for the game. He began coaching at the Volleydome for their Dome Club program and soon transitioned to club volleyball. Here he has had the privilege of coaching many athletes. Though Alykhan says his coaching career is still young, there have already been many medal-worthy accomplishments.

Alykhan loves every aspect of coaching and of the game as a whole. As he teaches, Alykhan focuses on the proper technical aspects of the game, and places a strong focus on mental preparation and adaptation so that his players play harder and smarter!

As President and one of the founders of North Western Volleyball Club, Alykhan aims to be a coach who can not only teach players about sports, but also about themselves, teamwork, and life.

Favourite Quote:
“I run along the road, long before I dance under the lights.” –– Muhammad Ali

Matt Winter

Matt is the Vice President and one of the founders of North Western Volleyball Club. With over ten years of coaching experience, Matt is an NCCP recognized Advanced Development Indoor Coach who strives to build positive personal relationships with athletes to better their long-term development. Matt hopes to continue providing athletes with a positive club volleyball experience that extends their love for the sport beyond their time as an athlete.

Having trained as a setter and a libero during his playing days, Matt has continued his love for the sport by transitioning to the coaching side. As a coach he pushes athletes to their limits so that they in turn can set new ones and achieve new heights.

Currently a teacher, Matt started coaching club volleyball in 2014, and has coached age groups ranging from U15 through U18 teams.

Matt has found many successful achievements including a silver medal at Provincials, and a gold medal at Nationals.

Favourite Quote:
“Do or do not, there is no try.” –– Master Yoda

Natalie Laser

Natalie started playing volleyball at the age of 12 with the Volleydome’s Dome Club program. She then played all throughout school and 4 years of club. She was an outside hitter for the majority of playing career, but also gained experience as a libero. What Natalie lacked in height, she made up for in hard work and determination! Natalie has always loved the sport of volleyball and the friendships that come with being part of a team. She found a passion in playing, which she translated into her coaching.

Natalie began coaching in 2019; starting with the atomic age level and helping develop basic skills from a young age. Since then she has coached club with the Wolves and within this role, has found a new love for the sport. Natalie graduated Mount Royal University with a Bachelors of Nursing and even with her crazy schedule, still finds ways to make coaching work!

As a coach, Natalie hopes to develop each athlete and their skills, foster a love for volleyball, and create the same positive and fun club experience that she had as an athlete.

Favourite Quote:
“Though she be but little, she is fierce!” –– William Shakespeare

Madison Mueller

Maddy has been an athlete all her life but started her youth volleyball career at the age of 14 playing in the Volleydome’s Dome Club program. She then continued with playing through high school and 4 years of club. Maddy played as a middle throughout her playing career and finished off her club career playing for the Wolves in their inaugural year. She is very passionate about the sport of volleyball and puts all her time and effort into things she loves. She knew that her next role as a coach in the sport she loved would be a perfect fit.

Maddy began coaching in 2018, starting with the Atomic program for young athletes (9-12 years of age) by teaching the basic volleyball and athletic skills. She coached this program two years in a row. Working with new players really gave her a taste for coaching. This helped pave the way for her to continue her coaching with the Wolves ever since.

As a coach Maddy wants to pass along her love and passion for volleyball to her players and looks forward to to building relationships with each of her athletes.

Favourite Quote:
“Where there is no struggle, there is no strength.” –– Oprah Winfrey

Jimmy Dang

Jimmy has been playing sports since grade school; including Badminton, Volleyball, Rugby and Track & Field. He has been playing volleyball for over 20 years.

He has coached both Badminton and Volleyball at the Jr. High School level and was able to lead his teams to provincials.

Jimmy’s coaching philosophy focuses on team unity, accountability, mental and emotional toughness, and sportsmanship. He enjoys teaching the more technical aspects of the sport as well as fostering the building of character, both as an individual and as part of a team.

Favourite Quote:
“We do not remember days, we remember moments.” –– Cesare Pavese

Matthew Cheng

Matt has always had a knack for various athletic sports. Growing up, he enjoyed many different sports, such as Badminton, Basketball, Volleyball and Swimming. Matt’s transition to coaching was born from this passion to play. He believes his coaching career is young, and looks forward to working with many young athletes in the years to come.

Matt has spent over a decade working in the mental health/nursing field honing his leadership and mental health skills while working with vulnerable homeless with addiction and mental illness. Currently Matt works with young adults with developmental disabilities. He adapts coaching to his profession; believing kids should grow beyond just the sport of Volleyball and into independent strong and resilient young adults.

On the sports front, Matt continues to play volleyball in recreational leagues. His favourite positions to play are right-side, setter and libero. He hopes to pass along his love for volleyball by taking a holistic approach to grow young athletes both physically, mentally and emotionally.

Favourite Quote:
“They tried to bury us. They did not know we were seeds.” — Dino Christianopoulos

Kyleigh Tempany

Kyleigh started playing volleyball when she was 13 when she tried out for her school’s team. Although at the time she was busy with other sports, she found her way to club volleyball.

As a middle blocker, Kyleigh played with a singular focus, “always looking to improve”. The close connections Kyleigh formed with her teammates throughout her club career was what drove her to improve as well as sparked the urge to continue in the volleyball world. Her own club career ended the best way possible, with a gold medal at Nationals!

As a student at the University of Calgary, Kyleigh is working towards a dual degree; a Bachelor of Kinesiology and a Bachelor of Education. She feels this will help her improve as a coach since she has the opportunity to take many courses that pertain to coaching/teaching and the sport environment.

As a coach, Kyleigh continues to give back to the volleyball community by coaching junior high and high school volleyball teams as well as club teams.

Kyleigh’s motivation to coach is seeing athletes smiling and having fun while improving and learning new things. She strives to create the same fun and encouraging environment for her athletes that she had as a player. Kyleigh loves watching athletes grow their love for the sport while improving their skill and making new friendships with teammates.

Favourite Quote:
“Push yourself because no one is going to do it for you.” — Rhyanna Watson

Jayce Klassen

Jayce brings a ton of excitement to her coaching. Through volleyball she learned many valuable lessons that she wishes to pass on to her athletes. Jayce hopes to instill in her athletes the same passion and love for the sport that she was able to achieve.

Jayce has been playing volleyball since grade 9; starting with her high school team and then moving on to some amazing years with NWVC. Her U18 year had an awesome highlight, as she helped her team win a gold medal at Nationals!

Growing up Jayce was always involved in sports; playing a variety including hockey and baseball. Of course, volleyball became her true passion. As a setter, Jayce learned how to be a leader, a strong communicator, and how to work well with her teammates.

Jayce believes that being part of a team and building friendships is incredibly important, as those connections create a supportive and fun environment for everyone. Jayce strives to bring that exact experience to her coaching.

Currently, Jayce is studying for her Bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education at Mount Royal University. She believes that everything she’s learned in school and through sports helps her be a great coach. Jayce is looking forward to sharing her love for volleyball and helping her players grow, succeed, and create lasting friendships along the way!

Favourite Quote:
“Whoever is happy, will make others happy too.” — Anne Frank

Katherine Pelayo

Katherine started playing volleyball from the age of 9 years old and continued on to play 4+ years of club volleyball while moving between British Columbia and Alberta. She played many sports growing up but ultimately her passion for volleyball outgrew the others. Katherine originally trained as a setter but when given the opportunity, eagerly became a libero (a position she always coveted).

Growing up playing on various teams, Katherine became the teammate that would braid everyone’s hair between games. Little did she know, this would spark her love for a career as a hairstylist. Fast forward a couple of years and because of a chat with one of her clients, Katherine managed to find her way back into the sport of volleyball as a coach. When asked about how this all came to be, she says “Volleyball gave me the love for my career, and then my career brought me back into the world of volleyball that I loved as a kid.”

Katherine’s coaching career has primarily been dedicated to high school teams, but she is confident and excited to breach into the club volleyball world. She has spent a lot of hours dedicating her life as a player but says that the best moments she can remember are when she started to coach. Being able to share her passion and love for this sport is the most rewarding thing that she can think of. Katherine aspires to spark the same passion in her athletes, as she felt while playing.

Favourite Quote:
“Love the life you live. Live the life you love.” — Bob Marley

Grace Berning

Grace brings a wealth of experience and passion to the volleyball court. Starting her journey in 6th grade, Grace quickly developed a deep love for the sport. She excelled as a setter in her early years and later transitioned to a left-side hitter who occasionally played libero as well. Throughout her playing career, Grace continuously honed her skills using both these offensive and defensive roles.

With this Grace was able to build a well-rounded background, allowing her a smooth transition when it came time to start coaching. Grace focuses on giving athletes the same versatile skill set that served her so well.

As Grace continues to coach, her goal is to create an environment where each player feels supported, valued, and empowered to grow. She believes these are key qualities both on and off the court. For her, when athletes enjoy their sport and learn to work together as a team, they not only improve their skills but also build lasting friendships. Grace encourages her players to embrace mistakes as opportunities for growth, knowing that with each challenge, they become stronger, more confident individuals, and teammates.

Favourite Quote:
Coming soon!

Viola Sertolli

Viola has been playing volleyball since she was 11 years old. She began her journey playing for her junior high school team and continued to develop her skills throughout high school and club volleyball; joining club in the ninth grade. Viola began as a left-side hitter before transitioning to the right-side and then to a libero in her final years. Through these multitude of positions Viola gained invaluable experience.

With a deep love for the sport, Viola moved into coaching to share her passion and skills. While assistant coaching a junior high school team, she was able to help lead her team to three consecutive league championships. Now with several years of coaching experience, Viola brings passion and energy to her coaching. She is committed to inspire athletes into developing the same love for volleyball that has shaped her own journey. She takes pride in developing players’ skills while adapting her coaching style to meet the unique needs of each athlete, ensuring they reach their highest potential.

Currently, Viola pursues a degree in Psychology at Mount Royal University. She applies her knowledge of mental resilience, motivation, and team dynamics to her coaching. She strives to help athletes build confidence, manage pressure, and develop a strong mindset both on and off the court.

One of Viola’s greatest goals as a coach is to see her athletes succeed and take pride in their progress. She finds the most fulfillment in watching her players grow in skill, confidence, and their love for the game. She strives to create an environment where every athlete feels supported, accomplished, and excited about their journey through the sport.

Favourite Quote:
Coming Soon!