Our Coaches – Hammerhead Volleyball

JASE ANDERSON

13-1

Jase Anderson played for Hammerheads from ages 14-17, continuing on to play college volleyball at North Central University. She is entering her second season as the Hammerhead 13-1s coach. Jase has been the head JV and C girls volleyball coach and assistant varsity coach at United Christian Academy for three years. She is also the assistant boys JV and varsity coach at UCA where she also teaches the first grade.

AMBER MATTSON-JOHNSON

13-2

Amber Mattson-Johnson played volleyball for ten years, playing for Hammerheads for three years. She is entering her second year coaching volleyball. When she’s not playing volleyball, Amy is a kindergarten teacher. In her free time, she enjoys fishing, going to old car shows, and hanging out with her siblings. She is looking forward to coaching this season and getting married in July.

RON ANDERSON

14-1

With over nine years of experience, Coach Ron is dedicated to empowering young athletes by cultivating a strong, competitive, and supportive environment for girls’ volleyball. His coaching style emphasizes teamwork, skill development, and fostering a deep love for the game, while always making sure there’s room for fun!

Coach Ron’s passion for volleyball began as a father of a Hammerhead Volleyball player. From there, he fully immersed himself in the sport, becoming a Certified R1 Official and learning the rules, guidelines, and best practices of the game. He then went on as an assistant coach for two years with Hammerhead Volleyball and eventually took the reins as head coach of his first 14 Girls’ volleyball team in 2017 where he’s honed his skills in game management, practice strategies, and player development.

In 2022, Coach Ron expanded his knowledge of the game and coaching skills by joining the NCR High Performance staff as an assistant coach. He has had the opportunity to mentor and coach high performance athletes for the annual High Performance International Tournament the last two years in Florida and Iowa.

When he’s not coaching, watching volleyball, or line judging, Coach Ron is a Class A truck driver, Boom Operator, and Inventory Specialist with ABC Supply in Savage, Minnesota. He lives in Lakeville with his wife Lori, and has two adult children, Austin and Elizabeth.

OLIVIA FURNSTAHL

14-2

Olivia Furnstahl played volleyball for Rosemount High School and Hammerhead Volleyball throughout high school. She graduated from UW – La Crosse with a degree in Exercise and Sport Science before going on to study at the University of Minnesota for her Doctoral of Physical Therapy. Olivia is entering her first-year coaching for Hammerheads and looks forward to being back with the program and learning alongside her players. Outside of volleyball, she enjoys volunteering, all forms of exercise, and going to sporting events with family and friends.

KELLIE MAIER

14-GREEN

Kellie Maier began playing volleyball at age ten, playing middle school, high school, and club volleyball. She continued to play intramural and recreational volleyball through college, sharing experiences with her younger cousins who have also come to love volleyball. She obtained her Bachelor’s in Psychology from University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 2020 before moving on to complete her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy at the University of Minnesota in 2023. Kellie is entering her first year coaching for Hammerheads and looks forward to sharing her passion for volleyball with both her players and their parents.

MORGAN LONGHENRY

15-GREEN

Morgan Longhenry has been around the volleyball world as long as she can remember. She began playing for Hammerheads in high school, giving her the lifelong memories of playing alongside her team in national tournaments in Chicago, Milwaukee and Florida. Although her career as a volleyball player ended after high school, she continued to carry her passion for the sport, joining the Hammerheads coaching staff after graduating from Iowa State. Morgan is entering her fourth year coaching the 15-Green team for Hammerheads and enters each season with excitement for the new group of girls she hopes to coach into great players and great people.

MEGAN SIMONET

15-GREEN

Megan Simonet began playing volleyball in third grade, beginning club volleyball at age twelve and continuing until she graduated from Rosemount High School. While in high school, she had the opportunity to help coach 5th grade volleyball for a season. She played Libero for Hammerheads for three seasons before continuing on to play in sand and indoor volleyball leagues post-graduation.

Megan is entering her second year coaching for Hammerheads with a strong passion for teaching and coaching the sport she loves. She is excited to see her players grow in their skills, as well as watching each player grow personally. She strives to not only teach but also to ensure the girls have fun each season and continue to play in the years ahead. When she is not coaching volleyball,

Megan works as an RN in the NICU at Masonic Children’s Hospital.

MADY SAICE

17-1

Coach Mady grew up in Apple Valley, MN, where she has been playing volleyball since she was 8 years old. She played all throughout high school at Apple Valley High School, going on to play for North Central University through 2014-2016. This will be her tenth season as a Hammerheads coach and she has also been a coach for the freshman team at Woodbury High School for 8 years.

Outside of coaching, Mady works as a Renewals Specialist at Perforce Software in Minneapolis. You can also find her playing in adult volleyball leagues 3 out of the 5 weekdays!

Paul Wittman

16-1

Paul Wittman began coaching after his wife suggested that commenting from the stands during his daughter’s volleyball matches wasn’t very effective and encouraged him to start coaching. He is passionate about helping players grow and teaching skills that help them both on and off the court.

This will be Paul’s fifteenth season coaching girls JO Volleyball. He coached Lakeville North’s 13s/14s team for two years, then moved on to coach at Hammerheads, entering his thirteenth season with the club.

At Hammerheads, Paul coached the 14-1s for seven years, the 15-1s for five years, and is moving into this season coaching the 16-1s. He also works with players in private lessons at all ages, positions, and skill levels.

In his free time, Paul enjoys traveling with his wife and visiting new places outside the U.S., working on rebuilding his Toyota FJ40, refurbishing old Tonka toys, any activity outdoors in nature, and playing with his four grandchildren.

TRINA FJERSTAD

16-1

Trina Fjerstad coaches the Hammerhead 16-2s, as well as coordinating private lessons and small group work. She is a passionate volleyball coach dedicated to developing athletes both on and off the court. With extensive experience in competitive sand and indoor volleyball, as well as having her doctorate in physical therapy, she brings a unique perspective to training, blending skill development with a focus on injury prevention and long-term health.

Trina is known for being the loudest one in the gym and specializes in working with liberos/defensive specialists, as well as pin hitters. She strives to create a fun and growth-oriented environment for every athlete and to focus her coaching on the strategy of the game.

Outside of coaching, Trina enjoys spending her free time playing volleyball, being outdoors, hanging out with her dog, and staying active.

MICHAEL NEHRING

16-GREEN

Michael Nehring has been a teacher and coach for 25 years with a bachelors, masters, and doctorate in education. He has coached a variety of sports, including high school varsity track & field where both the boys and girls teams won conference championships and he was awarded coach of the year.

Michael has been coaching volleyball for seven years and has attended the AVCA coaches conference three times, as well as earning the head coaching certification from Art of Coaching. He has two daughters, Olivia, a third year student studying mechanical engineering at University of Minnesota and Payton, who is a senior at Apple Valley High School. In his free time, Michael enjoys spending time outdoors with his family, dogs, and horse.

CHRISTA TOLLEFSON

16-BLACK

Christa Tollefson played volleyball for thirteen years, playing as a left-handed middle blocker throughout highschool before going on to play at Bethel University for two years before an injury ended her time in college volleyball. Ever since she began playing in fifth grade, she knew her dream job was to be a volleyball coach because of the difference great coaches made in her life. She is now entering her third season coaching for Hammerheads.

For Christa, volleyball has always been more than a sport, it’s been a way to connect with God by honoring him in using the gift he gave her. In her free time, she enjoys going to her husband’s guitar shows, playing with her two rambunctious dogs, or reading a book while sipping iced coffee.

HANNAH GARSKE

18-1

Hannah Garske played two seasons at Hammerheads and was a part of the 2016 18-1s team that placed 20th in the AAU Nationals in Florida. She began her coaching career as a senior in high school coaching the 12s team in the Rosemount school district. The following year, she coached the 16-1s for Tartan JO.

Hannah started coaching for Hammerheads in 2019, beginning as the assistant coach for the 16-1s and working her way up to the 18-1s. Hannha is now in her 5^th season coaching at Hammerhead and her 3^rd year being the 18-1s Head Coach. Hannah is also involved in running Hammerhead Camps and private lessons.

JEN MURTON

18-2

Jen Murton was a three-time letter winner and two-time all-conference outside hitter at Forest Lake High School. She went on to play for Southwest Minnesota State University as an all-conference outside hitter and helped lead her team to the national tournament and Top 15 finish. In 2014, Jen’s 1992 women’s volleyball team was inducted into the Southwest State University Athletic Hall of Honor. She continues to enjoy playing in occasional grass and sand tournaments with friends and family.

Jen is entering her second season coaching the 18-2s for Hammerheads. Prior to coming to Hammerheads, Jen worked for Mizuno Northern Lights and Minnesota One volleyball clubs from 2019-2023 where she served as head coach for various ages ranging from 13s-16s during club season and led multiple camps, skills sessions, and private lessons over the years. She was also a member of the Hugh McCutcheon summer camp coaching staff at the University of Minnesota for two years. Jen has also coached for Prior Lake Extreme Volleyball Club, serving as Director of Coaching, and coached multiple youth volleyball sessions through the River Valley YMCA.

Jen owns and operates her own marketing and promotions business. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids, playing pickleball, tennis, and racquetball, and running marathons.

MADISON WITSE

18-GREEN & 15-WHITE

Madison Wiltse started playing volleyball at age nine and instantly fell in love with the sport. She played for Hammerheads from ages 16-18 and is now entering her fourth year coaching for the club. She currently works in the accounting field and does hair as a licensed cosmetologist on the side. In her free time, Madi enjoys nature, hiking, football, and DIY projects. Her favorite place to visit is Duluth and the north shore. She is a huge Vikings fan and loves watching all the games. She enjoys testing her skills and learning new things when it comes to DIY projects.