The coaching staff for 2011-12 season continues to grow.  We currently have about 28 coaches and will post their information soon.  Iowa Rockets is pleased to have such a strong coaching staff.  The experience below shows the level of commitment our coaches have toward volleyball and the athletes they are helping.  They come from a variety of backgrounds...but all share a love for the game.

David has been playing volleyball for 25 years. He loves the sport and participates in all aspects of the game, from player, to coach, to referee and scorekeeper. David is a NCAA Division I Referee, USAV Junior National Referee, and Regional scorekeeper and is a USA CAP Level II volleyball coach. In 2008 at the USAV National Tournament, his 15R team earned a National Championship in the 15s age division making it the first Iowa team in history to take home the gold. Another first is his team was the first team in the Iowa Region to qualify in the USAV Open division. His teams have captured 1st and 2nd place at the USAV Iowa Regional tournament and he has taken numerous teams to the USAV National Tournament. In 2001 David was awarded the Regional Service Award and in 2000 was awarded the Regional Meritorious Service Award for his contributions to Iowa Volleyball. Though David is an all-around coach, he specializes in setting, passing, and defensive systems. David is a USAV CAP II certified coach and a Junior National referee.

Kyla is the club director for the Iowa Rockets Volleyball Club and has been playing volleyball for 25 years. She was a player at the USAV Women's AA level and is a USAV Regional Referee, collegiate referee, Men's Big 10 referee. She has taken teams to the USAV National Tournament, finishing as high as 2nd and 3rd in the nation. In 2003 she led the Rockets 15s to a 1st place State finish and 3rd place in the Nation!  And her 16s and 18s teams have both won National Qualifiers.  Though Kyla is an all-around coach, she specializes in attacking, blocking, and offense. Her larger perspective of the game of volleyball focuses on coaching the whole girl, on and off the court.

Angie comes to Iowa after serving as a graduate assistant with volleyball operations at the University of Alabama from 2006-07. Angie was a student worker for volleyball operations at the University of Nebraska from 2003-06. During her time, the Cornhuskers were a perennial top-five program and won the 2006 NCAA national championship. She has four years of coaching experience at the club level, serving as both an assistant and co-head coach for the South Central Volleyball Club in St. Paul, NE, from 2003-06. She also taught private lessons at the Nebraska Volleyball Academy in Lincoln, and is a former coach at Club Crimson Volleyball Club in Tuscaloosa, AL. Currently Angie is the Director of Volleyball Operations at the University of Iowa and is on her third year as a coach for Rockets.

As a member of the University of Nebraska volleyball staff, working under Husker head coach Jon Cook, Ben was a part of one of the most successful programs in recent NCAA history. Ben capped off his career in Lincoln by helping Nebraska earn its third NCAA Championship, as the Cornhuskers finished 33-1 in 2006. After a couple of years at the University of Alabama Crimson Tide, Ben landed in Iowa City as the Assistant Coach for the University of Iowa. He has also spent time coaching with USA volleyball at various levels. Ben served as a USA Youth National team coach in 2005 and 2006 after spending time with the A2 squad in 2004 and again in 2010. In addition to college and national team experience, Ben is also an accomplished coach at the club level. He was a head coach for the Challenger Volleyball Club from 2000-04 before serving as a head coach for the prestigious Nebraska Juniors in 2005-06.

Melissa grew up around volleyball - her Dad coached it for many years and dragged Melissa along to all the tournaments. Then she played club and high school volleyball in Ames for 7 years. Recently she has coached 5th and 6th grade teams, tutored 7th graders in VB, assisted an Iowa Heart 14s team, and coached the Iowa camps working closely with 13-15 year olds. For the last 4 years, Melissa has been the student manager for the University of Iowa Womens' team - attending all practices, taking stats, filming, and assisting with drills. Having completed one major, she is working on her second major - Secondary Education.

Brian & Karla Bronzynski come to the Rockets with 20+ seasons of high school coaching at Corwith-Wesley, Sioux Center, Knoxville, Melcher-Dallas & have an overall record of 654-285 in high school matches. Brian is currently the Head Coach at Clear Creek-Amana and Karla is the Head Coach at South Hardin in Eldora.

Brian & Karla have coached club for 12 years with Power Points, IPVA & Sports University taking 9 teams to Nationals finishing as high as 9th. Karla was the 2003 Iowa Region Female Coach of the Year. Their club teams have achieved an overall record of 714-185. The relationships that they have made with players, families and other coaches are what make coaching Club Volleyball special. They have coached over 50 girls that have gone on to play college volleyball.

Lauren has a wealth of experience as a coach and a player. She played high school volleyball in the Chicago area and was a member of the highly touted Sky High VBC program. Lauren is an authorized high school coach and currently a student at the University of Iowa.

Don has been playing volleyball for 35 years and coaching youth sports for over 15 years.  Since retiring from Procter & Gamble, he has become actively involved in all aspects with volleyball.  He joined Iowa Rockets in 2010 and led 12 Gold to a 2nd place finish at Regionals.  Don is a certified high school ref.

Juliana has been playing competitive volleyball her whole life.  She went to Keota High School and won numerous post-season awards in volleyball, basketball, and track.  She played for the Rockets for many years and was on the 16R team that won the MidEast Qualifier in Indianapolis.  After high school, Juliana continued her playing career at the University of Missouri and was a 4 year letter winner.  She graduated from Missouri with a Masters in Accountancy.  She currently is the Lone Tree Varsity Head Volleyball coach and this is her first season as a coach for the Rockets.

Karen has been playing and/or coaching volleyball since she was in 7th grade.  During high school, she played at Cedar Rapids Washington and then continued her playing career with Missouri Western State College in the early 80's.  After college, she began a teaching/coaching career working with boys and girls age 12-17 in South America and Europe.  In Iowa City, Karen has coached at West High, Top Dog Volleyball Club, Little Hawks Volleyball Club, and now Rockets.  This is Karen's second season with the Rockets, having coached 13Silver last year.

Linnay is a former Iowa Rockets player and has come back to help coach at the club level. She is currently a student at the University of Iowa, a volleyball coach at South East Jr. High and is starting her third year as a Rockets coach.

Sara grew up around volleyball, since her parents both coached and officiated at the high school level.  She played at North Butler High School and continued her playing career at Central College, becoming a three year letter winner.  Sara coached at Central College volleyball camps for four years and one season with Athena Volleyball Club (Portland, OR) with the 14s and 18s teams.  She is currently a graduate student at Iowa.

Chin has been playing volleyball for 22 years. He was part of the University of Iowa Men's Club team during college & afterwards, played at the AA & A level men's team in Des Moines, Tulsa, & Chicago. He's been with the Rockets for 7 years & has also coached in Oregon. He's experienced with players at the 12s level all the way to the 18s. In the past, Chin coached the 14s, 15s, 16s, 17s, & 18s teams, which have won 3 Iowa Regionals & 3 National Qualifiers, and qualified   at the USAV Open division..

Don has been playing volleyball for over 30 years.  He was the setter for the University of Iowa Men's Club Team from '83-'89 and went on to play with the USA Men's team (Iowa Region) for 14 years.  He's played in men's A/AA indoor leagues as well as sand leagues in the Quad Cities for years.  Don has coached a 13s team in Geneseo, IL & last year was his first year with the Rockets, coaching 15Gold.  In case you didn't know, Chin is his little brother!

Alli is currently a freshman on the University of Iowa Volleyball team.  She went to Iowa City West High school where she won numerous post-season awards.  Last season as a high school senior, she led her team to their first ever state title!  She was also a part of the 15R Rockets team that won Nationals and her 16R team was the first team in the history of Iowa club volleyball to qualify for USAV in the Open Division.  This is Alli's first season with the Rockets and after 8 years playing for the Rockets, she's excited to start her coaching career!

Anna is currently a student at the University of Iowa, studying Oboe Performance and Music Education.  She has played volleyball since 7th grade.  She's played for Net Force, Sky High, and TNT volleyball clubs in the Chicago area.  Last year was Anna's first year with the Rockets, assisting with 13Silver.

Brynja Rodgers

Brynja is the daugher of David & Kyla, so she's obviously been around volleyball her whole life.  Imagine her climbing the bleachers at the old Fieldhouse while her parents were playing pickup games.  She was THAT kid!  Brynja was a 4yr varsity setter for Iowa City High School where she holds records for setting and serving. In her senior year, her team won the State 4A title.  She won numerous post-season awards all four years, including Iowa Coaches Association Player of the Year award.  Brynja continued to play volleyball a New Mexico State University and University of Florida and has competed in the NCAA tournament 3 consecutive years. She will graduate from December with a degree in Biology.  She has previously been a club coach in New Mexico and Iowa. She will also be mentoring all the setters within the Rockets organization.

Michael Runde

Michael started his volleyball career in Dubuque playing for CourtMasters.  While still in high school, he coached for Dubuque Volleyball Club at the 13s and 14s age level, then CourtMasters 12s for 1 year.  His first year at Rockets, Michael coached 14 Black and earned his first bid to Nationals.  Also at Nationals he coached Iowa Rockets 12 Black.  In 2010 he coached freshman at Iowa City West High School. Last year he coached 13 Black. He is currently the manager for the University of Iowa volleyball team. This will be his third year with Rockets, head coaching teams and helping with clinics and specialty practice. MIchael is a junior at the University of Iowa, studying business.

Stacey has over 20 years of playing and coaching experience at the junior high, high school, club, and collegiate levels. Her tenur has included head coach at Hempstead HS in Dubuque (1997-1998), head and assistant coach at University of Dubuque (1999-2004), head coach at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL (2005-2007) and this is her 3rd year as the head coach at Pleasant Valley HS in Bettendorf. In her first year at PV, she led the 2008 team to its first State appearance since 1977. She also established the Pleasant Valley Club Volleyball program in 2008 which has grown to 10 teams. Her playing career includes one season at Northeast Missouri State (now Truman State) and 3 seasons at University of Dubuque. Ruff was inducted into the University of Dubuque Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006. Stacey Ruff is an AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Association) member.

Scott started coaching at Iowa Central for four years as an assistant. Then he was the assistant Varsity coach at St. Edmonds High School for a year; and presently is the Assistant Varsity coach at Iowa City West High School.  In his third year at West HS he has helped them to capture 1st place in two consecutive years. His most recent accomplishment was taking 14s team to 3rd place at Nationals. In his fifh year with the Rockets, Scott helps with all aspects of the Rockets organization. Scott knows many college coaches and is active in helping girls to find a collegiate home.

Chelsey has been surrounded by volleyball ever since she was a little girl.  Having two older sisters participate in the sport, she quickly fell in love with the game as well.  She played volleyball at Ankeny High School and won all sorts of post-season awards.  During high school, she coached clinics and camps with her varsity coach.  After high school, she went on to play two years at Lynn University in Boca Raton, FL until a knee injury ended her playing career.  Chelsey decided to transfer to Iowa to finish her degree in Elementary Education.  She joined the Rockets last season, coaching 13Silver.