MEET THE COACHES
MEET THE COACHES
Coach Rachel (Coach)
Coach Rachel started playing volleyball in 2014, when she was in the 6th grade. She played Varsity for Timothy Christian High School for all four years (2017- 2020). She was her team’s starting Outside Hitter for 3 years and Libero for one year. She was awarded All Blue Division for the GMC for 3 consecutive years and was nominated as GMC Player of the Week for Kills and Aces in 2018. She was recognized for leading her team in kills when she was a Junior and Senior. When Coach Rachel was a Senior, she was her team’s Captain and lead her team into the first round of states.
Coach Rachel played club volleyball for 5 years at the National level (2015- 2020). Her team traveled to many single day and multi-day tournaments. She was primarily an Outside Hitter but was switched to a Setter/Right side during her last two years of club. In addition to these positions, she has extensive training as a defensive specialist. She is trained in systems such as 5-1 and 6-2 as an Outside, Setter, Right side, and Libero and can confidently play and coach all these systems.
Coach Rachel became the Timothy Christian High School Varsity and Junior Varsity Girls Volleyball coach in 2021. In her first coaching season, her team made the first round of states and her team had 3 girls that won the GMC All Blue Division. In addition, their volleyball coaching staff won the GMC Coaching Award for the fall season. Coach Rachel also is the Head Coach of other recreational volleyball programs in North Jersey. Coach Rachel coaches the Practice Programs and Leagues for REC It Volleyball. She will also coach REC It and Nike Camps in the summer.
Coach Rachel currently attends Kean University balancing a busy full- time schedule. During her free time, Coach Rachel occasionally plays Women's and Co-ed pick-up games. She plays indoor 6’s. Additionally, she loves to give back to those who are less fortunate and often volunteers at the New York Relief Bus making and handing out food and beverages to the homeless communities in New York City.
Coach Kyle (Coach)
Coach Kyle Knight is one of the Coaches for REC It Volleyball. He has been playing volleyball since 2008. He started his volleyball career in adult recreational open gyms and worked his way into competitive volleyball tournaments. Coach Kyle plays weekly in competitive adult open gyms held by GMAVC. His primary position is Middle Hitter/Blocker.
Coach Kyle took many adult volleyball clinics held by Coach Amber and learned proper mechanics such as footwork, control, and strategy. He also is trained in system volleyball and can confidently run a 5-1 system as a Middle Hitter. Everything that he learned in the adult clinics translates into youth volleyball coaching.
Coach Kyle is a determined and athletic coach. His volleyball history is different than most because there was no formal volleyball training when he was a child. Within the past 12+ years, he has become dedicated to the sport and learned the terminology and positioning to play in competitive games.
Coach Kyle coaches the Beginner Leagues and Beginner Clinic Programs. He works hard with the other REC It coaches to give the young athletes the best learning experience possible. He puts all of his energy into making the game fun and educational. The kids love working with him because he is caring and keeps the practice judgment-free. He gives the athletes input about some of the things that he learned over the years. An example is, “you can be tall, jump high, and hit hard, but that does not make your team win. You win when you work together and support the other five people on the court with you.”
Coach Myka (Coach)
BIO COMING SOON
Coach Comfort (Coach)
Coach Comfort started playing volleyball in 2011. She played varsity volleyball for 3 years for Woodbridge High School. She played middle and outside but ended her high school career as her team’s starting outside hitter. Her team competed in States during her junior and senior seasons. Her team was also GMC- All white division champions twice. She helped her team win GMC-All white division first team her junior and senior year. She led her team in kills and blocks for three years. Coach comfort also played basketball and ran track in high school which gave her “The Most Athletic” award in high school.
In college, Coach Comfort played D3 volleyball for 3 years at Rutgers University- Newark. She played Right side, Middle and Outside but ended her career in college as an Outside Hitter. She took her team to compete in the NJAC playoffs 2 times. She became first team all conference for the NJAC her senior year and she led her team in kills and blocks during her undergraduate career. Comfort got 2019 Athlete of the year for Rutgers Newark for showing her skills and helping her team get as far as they did.
Coach Comfort is now a coach for REC It volleyball where she is advancing her skills everyday. Coach Comfort is planning on playing beach and grass volleyball tournaments this upcoming summer. Additionally, She plays regularly in adult indoor open gyms. Coach Comfort enjoys spending quality time with her friends and family in her free time. She loves to travel and learn about different cultures as much as she can. She also enjoys making travel vlogs and trying new food. Coach Comfort also plays basketball when she can!
Coach Matt (Coach)
Coach Matt fell in love with volleyball in 2015, his senior year of high school. However, because his high school did not have a boys’ volleyball team, he could only play in casual settings with his friends on grass or on beach courts. In college, he continued to pursue volleyball by starting an intramural league team with his friends and hosting practices. During this time, with the help of video tutorials and the knowledge of more experienced players he learned how to run a 5-1 system. Since graduating from college, he has continued to play and hone his volleyball game in the form of open gyms, recreational leagues, and tournaments.
Coach Matt has had a handful of experiences coaching volleyball beginners, from preschool age to full-fledged adults. Working with the preschool and kindergarten age range, he’s had the opportunity to teach for a sports enrichment program. In this job, he taught proper terminology and mechanics of various movements in sports, ranging from soccer, volleyball, basketball, baseball, lacrosse, etc. Among his peers and adults, he’s held volleyball practice clinics to help improve beginner volleyball players from his church. In some of these more intermediate practices, he’s taught a proper 5-1 system and floor defense system with blockers.
Outside of volleyball, Coach Matt is an active member of his church, volunteering with children’s Sunday school and playing guitar/drums as a part of the praise team. His other hobbies include playing video games and watching anime with friends.
Coach Emma (Coach)
Coach Emma started playing Volleyball in 2012. They played for two years as Middle Hitters. When Emma was in high school, they played for Morris Hills High School and played for their school's girl's volleyball team for all four years. Coach Emma's high school coach challenged them, and each year they played in different positions. During their Freshman season, Emma played for their first-year team as a libero and then a Middle Hitter. During their sophomore and junior seasons, they moved up to JV and played Right side, Defensive specialist, and eventually as a full-time Outside Hitter. Wherever Emma's coach needed them, they stepped up without hesitation! As a Junior, Emma was the team captain, leading their team with kills, digs, and aces. Finally, during their Senior year, Coach Emma made Varsity and remained the starting Outside HItter playing all the way around. Morris Hills High School ran a 6-2 System, and Coach Emma has a unique understanding of them because they competed in multiple positions in the system.
Coach Emma played Club volleyball for two seasons for a 16's and 17's National team. The programs trained the girls to understand a 6-2 and 5-1 system. In college, Coach Emma played as a right-side and Middle Hitter for a Division 1 Scottish team for the University of St. Andrews in the United Kingdom. After college, Coach Emma continued playing in adult open gyms. They primarily play in co-ed 6's and 4's.
Coach Emma started coaching in 2017. They coached middle school athletes at Copeland Middle School and Thomas Jefferson Middle School. Additionally, Coach Emma is one of our Lead coaches for our Beginner Practice Programs and Prep 1: Fundamental Advancement programs. They also Lead the Summer camps and Assist at the Rotations classes, Leagues, and High School Tournament Programs. Coach Emma Loves working with the kids because they love to see the athletes grow and learn a lot about Volleyball.
Coach Emma also plays for the Women's United States Fistball Team. They played as a Back player in the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama. Coach Emma also played in the Pan American Games in October 2022. They will also play in competitive USA tournaments this summer, participating in Women's and Co-ed Tournaments.
Coach Omar (Coach)
Coach Omar graduated in 2018 from Rutgers-Newark with a Bachelor’s in mathematics and became certified as a New Jersey EMT the same year. He then completed his Master’s from Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine in 2020 in Biomedical Sciences, and is currently on track to pursue a career in healthcare. Coach Omar played volleyball for 3 years at Edison High School primarily as a right-handed, right-side hitter. He also played as an outside hitter and was known to be an aggressive passer with quick reflexes in the back row. Coach Omar has been a competitive athlete since 2002, playing soccer, volleyball, and Basketball.
Coach Omar is well versed in indoor and beach 6’s and grass doubles. He has been playing volleyball for since 2008. As an adult Coach Omar continues to play volleyball in various open gyms and tournaments across the tristate area. These experiences developed his knowledge deeply of system volleyball, particularly 5-1 and 6-2 formations. His favorite part of the game is blasting the ball through blocks. His motto on the court is: "It's not about how tall you are, it's about how high you jump."
From 2015- 2018, Coach Omar was a volunteer alumni coach, working with the high school Boys during their off-season. Since then, he has coached at REC It Volleyball with boys and girls of various ages. He works with both the High School and Middle School Groups and enjoys helping the kids fall in love with the sport with his infectious energy and intensity.
On most weekends, Coach Omar is catching a flight to visit and mentor youth in different states. He has worked with various organizations, most notably the national organization, Young Muslims since 2008. He has attended youth groups, served leadership positions on a statewide and national level, extended the reach of the organization internationally by impacting youth in other countries, and helped organize events such as sport tournaments, national leadership conferences, youth retreats and camping trips. He has developed into a professional public speaker, often flying out to give speeches on campuses and in conferences. Coach Omar also served Woodbridge Township Ambulance and Rescue Squad as a volunteer EMT since 2018. He spent hundreds of hours responding to 911 emergencies and mentoring new first responders and EMTs. He enjoys math and has been a highly effective tutor for over 13 years for middle school, high school and even college students. In his spare time, he likes to watch anime, learn new styles of cooking, and study theology.
Coach Nicole (Coach)
BIO COMING SOON
Coach Steven (Coach)
Coach Steven Hernandez graduated from Piscataway High School in 2020. He currently attends Rutgers University as an Exercise Science Major; his goal is to become a Physical Therapist. He currently plays for the Rutgers Men’s Club team as an Outside hitter. Coach Steven played for his High School Boy’s team for four seasons. During his Freshman Season, he played on his JV team. He played on Varsity during his Sophomore through Senior years. His primary positions are Outside hitter and Libero.
Coach Steven plays in many competitive open gyms and tournaments. He loves the sport and started expanding his knowledge with beach and grass volleyball. He wants to become a smarter and more versatile player. Coach Steven started Coaching for REC It Volleyball in October 2022. He has coached the Middle School Practice program, Middle School/ Freshman League, League prep: Rotations, High School Girls, and the High School Boys Leagues.
Coach Steven is an overall athlete playing multiple sports, including soccer, basketball, and boxing. Additionally, he donates to charity and gives back to those in need, participating in food drives and the salvation Army.
Coach Tyler (Coach)
Coach Tyler Firestine Started playing volleyball in 2012. He played for South Brunswick High School for two seasons, primarily as a Middle Hitter/ Blocker. His secondary position was a Setter. He attended Camps such as the Penn State Camp to further his education in the sport. As an Adult, Coach Tyler was trained by Competitive players from the Philippines. He plays in adult Men’s club tournaments and in advanced adult open gyms regularly.
Coach Tyler has a background in teaching and enjoys working with students and giving them a safe learning place. He started coaching for REC It Volleyball in October 2022. He mainly works with league athletes, including the Middle School/ Freshman League, High School Girls League, and the High School Boys League. His height and natural athleticism help elevate the intensity of drills during the practices and games.
Coach Tyler likes to balance relaxation and staying active when he is off the court. On his relaxation days, he enjoys writing poems. He also loves the outdoors and enjoys working out to remain in volleyball shape. He also gives back to the community when he tutors elementary Students. He wants to ensure that every student has access to the necessary resources.
Coach Jessy (Coach)
BIO COMING SOON
SEASONAL COACHES
Coach Natasha (Coach)
Coach Natasha Martinez played in the Dominican Republic when she was 12 years old. She played for her Middle School team. When she was old enough, she played for her city National team. The team earned numerous Gold and Silver medals. She primarily played as a right-side hitter and an outside hitter in the National program. This team gave her recognition to where she was invited to try out for the Dominican Republic Team.
Coach Martinez played for Passaic County College as the team’s starting Setter. Her team excelled in their division and won Regionals for the NJCAA. Her team played against a fierce competitor, New Hampton College.
Coach Martinez was an Assistant Coach for Eastside High School in Paterson for a year. She started coaching for REC It Volleyball in Fall 2021 and works with the Beginner/Intermediate athletes who play in the leagues and attend the practice Programs.
In her free time, she tries to stay active by playing volleyball. Coach Martinez currently plays in many competitive open gyms, tournaments, and much more! She hosts an Advanced Co-ed Adult Open Gyms on Monday nights. If she is not on the court, she is exploring different cultures through their cuisines.
Coach Leah (Coach)
Coach Leah Dooley attends the University of Tampa, majoring in Athletic Training. In high school, she played Varsity volleyball as their starting Outside Hitter for all four years. Dooley was the captain for her Junior and Senior seasons. She earned numerous athletic awards throughout her high school career, such as All-Conference Honorable, First Team All-Union County, and Second Team All-State. She was ranked in the top 20th out of 5,000 volleyball players in the state of New Jersey and was named athlete of the week her Junior year of high school. Coach Leah attends the University of Tampa, majoring in Athletic Training.
Additionally, Dooley played at a National level for five consecutive years. She has extensive training in every position on the court. Dooley primarily trained as an Outside Hitter in a 5-1 and 6-2 system. Dooley attended camps, clinics, and other programs to increase her experience in skills like passing, setting, and hitting.
Dooley was an Assistant Coach for volleyball camps hosted by her high school during her off-seasons. The camps trained the incoming freshmen and the returning junior varsity athletes. In addition, Coach Dooley was an Assistant Coach for clinics and camps for middle school athletes in her town at the local YMCA. Coach Dooley started running Private lessons in 2019. The privates helped some of her athletes to get accepted onto varsity during their freshman season. Now, Dooley is a Head Coach for REC-IT-Volleyball.
During the rest of the year, when Coach Dooley is off the court, she contributes to her church activities, including mission trips in Jackson, Mississippi, Philadelphia, and locally in New Jersey. She integrates her leadership skills to get everyone involved both on and off the court to ensure everyone is having fun!
Coach Jaden (Coach)
Coach Jaden Hong started playing volleyball in 2019. He played varsity for two years as his high school’s starting outside hitter. He played JV and Varsity during his freshman Season. His sophomore season was unfortunately canceled due to COVID-19, but he was supposed to be the starting Outside on varsity. During his Junior and Senior Seasons, he was recognized for leading his team in kills and helping his team earn their ranking as twelfth in the state. He was nominated for his all county/conference first team and earned player of the week in his county.
Coach Jaden also played club volleyball for four consecutive years at a national level. He was an outside hitter, but he had training in other positions such as setter, opposite hitter, and defensive specialist. Coach Jaden’s club team won numerous awards, placing third in the Boston Volleyball Festival twice, first in the Wicked Good Challenge, and 3rd in an Atlantic City tournament. This resulted in him and his team going to two National’s tournaments held in Florida.
Coach Jaden has experience playing indoor, beach, and grass volleyball. His beach and grass experience were more recreational and for fun, but he has learned and improved plenty of skills in outdoor play. Indoor he has played for his high school team and on a national level club team.
Coach Jaden has been giving back to the community for many years. He has volunteered for multiple programs such as Bridges, where he helped make sandwiches that are then shipped out to the homeless, Trycan, where he aided special needs children with physical activities, and the YMCA, where he helped the elderly paint nails and more. Some of Coach Jaden’s hobbies include playing video games, playing sports, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family
Coach Jake (Coach)
Coach Jake Martin started playing volleyball in 2014. Coach Jake played indoor club volleyball at the National level during his Sophomore through Senior year as a starting outside hitter. Although playing mostly Outside, Coach Jake also received training as a Middle Hitter/Blocker, Right side Hitter, and Libero. During this time, he helped lead his team to a bronze placement in the club division of USA Volleyball Nationals in Dallas, Texas and placed first in a handful of local tournaments. Coach Jake has also played beach volleyball at national levels. During his Sophomore through Senior year, he placed second in Great American Volleyball's junior nationals three consecutive times. Additionally, he placed first in a USA Volleyball Junior National Qualifier in Staten Island, New York, earning a bid to USA Volleyball Nationals in Florida. He also placed second in an AVP juniors showcase in Manhattan, New York, earning a bid to an AVP Juniors tournament in Hermosa Beach, California.
Coach Jake plays competitive beach volleyball in various locations in New Jersey, playing at the Open level. In addition, he plays in various high level open gyms held by organizations such as GMAVC, Sideout Sports, and GSEV.
Coach Jake also places a high value on academics. He finished top ten in his class and during his Senior year of high school, he accepted a full-ride scholarship to the Albert Dorman Honors College of NJIT where he is currently studying Mechanical Engineering. He is currently in his last semester and has a cumulative 4.0 GPA. After graduation, he will be working at Stryker in Mahwah, New Jersey as an engineer in joint replacement.
When Coach Jake is not playing volleyball, he loves to rock climb, hike, travel, play video games, eat, and spends time with friends and family. He is also passionate about giving back to his community. Each semester, he participates in events hosted at his school such as food and toy drives and helps to coordinate a couple of fundraising events for Children's Miracle Network. He also serves as an Honors Ambassador and a Resident Assistant at school. As an Honors Ambassador, he helps mentor and tutor both existing NJIT students and prospective students in high school. He is passionate about academics as well as personal and professional growth. As a Resident Assistant, he helps build the NJIT community through programming events and daily interactions. Although new to coaching volleyball, Coach Jake is passionate about mentorship and helping others grow, succeed, and accomplish their goals.
Coach Charlie (Coach)
Coach Charlie is currently a college student at Saint Elizabeth University. He is also a part of the school's Volleyball Team. The starting setter and floor captain of the team, He amassed 188 assists his first season and was on track to 400 until the season was cut short due to COVID. His second season he managed to reach 100 assists only playing 5 games due to a shortened COVID season. With his help, Saint Elizabeth managed to come 2nd in the CSAC conference and reach the championship game. When he attended Teaneck high school, he helped his team to the North I championships, going undefeated and to the second round of states beating Bergenfield in the first round. They finished the season ranked in the Top 25 teams in the state during his tenure in Teaneck.
Coach Charlie has had numerous stints in coaching. Charlie Head Coached two Nike Camps held at Sportika and Princeton Day School during the summer of 2021. Additionally, he returns to his old High school and volunteer coaches his previous underclassmen. He has also helped start up a new club volleyball team in North Jersey.
During his free time, Coach Charlie loves to attend open gyms, play grass, and beach volleyball. He loved to eat as well, traveling all around finding new restaurants from New York all the way to Texas.
Coach Aaron (Head Coach)
Coach Aaron de Jesus graduated from Far Eastern University in the Philippines with a Bachelor's degree in Nursing. He then took his Master's degree in Academic Management at St. Paul University in Manila, and extra certifications in graduate studies at the same University. Aaron was part of the first six volleyball players accepted to the new team in his freshman year in high school as a middle blocker and continued as a designated setter for his remaining three years there. In that time, he earned numerous awards such as best middle blocker, a 2x best setter, and was named one of the Mythical Six in his Senior year. He continued his volleyball career at Far Eastern University in Manila as a setter. Still, a knee injury and his chosen course of the study prevented him from playing on his college team. While on the sidelines, he was in rehab and training with the city government volleyball team until he went back to playing while he was taking his Masters at St. Paul University in Manila. On that team, coach Aaron as the setter, led the team to two conference championships. He still successfully competes in regional tournaments such as Nagva, GEVA, and other interstate Leagues. A perpetual student of the game, coach Aaron has attended numerous training seminars and camps such as the Heroes Volleyball Program in the Philippines and Milo Volleyball Clinics.
De Jesus was an Assistant Coach for both the men's and women's programs in St. Joseph School of Fairview. He also coached and played for St. Augustines School of Nursing. His most recent coaching experience is at Bayonne High school's girls’ team. Coach Aaron also helps Coach Julian with hosting his tournaments in Metuchen Sportplex regularly. He is a fixture in the community and well known.
Off the court, coach Aaron is a family man and treats his friends like family. He loves the outdoors and kickboxing and can be found on nature walks. Coach Aaron is a fierce competitor, but he also loves to help recreational players get better in their game - his passion is in helping others grow.