Founder & Head Coach

Mason Willix

See Mason's background and vision behind the company below!

Coach

Elyse Dube

Hi!! My name is Elyse Dube and I am a Junior at Oral Robert's University competing in Division 1 volleyball. I am studying Sports Managment and the growing world of athletics. I am originally from CT and volleyball has been a huge part of my life since I was little. I grew up following in the footsteps of my mom who played for UCONN and this early exposure to volleyball helped shape my love for the game. For most of my club years, 13-18's I had the great privilege of competing for Northeast Volleyball Club and have been shaped by my amazing coaches and club. I have been committed to coaching volleyball for the past 2 years and have been able to offer private lessons as well as work with Athlete to Athlete to mentor young and aspiring volleyball players. As a 6' pin hitter, I have developed versatility on the court and enjoy helping athletes improve in all areas of the game, from fundamentals and technique to the mental and IQ related aspect of the game. One of the things that has helped drive my passion for coaching is the impact coaches can have on athletes journeys. I have learned how valuable it is for athletes to have a coach who believes in them. Because of that, my goal as a coach is to develop strong volleyball skills, but also allow athletes to grow in confidence and the mental aspect of the game. I want to be the kind of coach that I wish every athlete could have, someone who is able to push them to improve while offering a positive and encouraging environment. As I continue my college career and move closer to graduation, I plan to use my experience and degree to develop volleyball athletes and helping them reach their goals on and off the court!n 

Coach

Sydney Houchens

Hi! My name is Sydney Houchens. I am a Division 1 outside hitter/defensive specialist at the University of Rhode Island. I'm currently a junior captain and truly soaking up every moment as I head into my final year! I began my Division 1 career at VCU before transferring after my first semester to URI, where I've continued to grow both as a player and individual. I'm originally from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and attended Liberty High School. During my time there I was named Team MVP from 2019-2022, earned First Team Player of the Year. I was also selected All-Conference Second Team. Volleyball has always been a huge part of my life, and I'm passionate about everything it has given me. I'm excited for the opportunity to work with Growth Chasers and help spread the love for the game to others! 

Coach

Meghan Abbott

Hi, I'm Meghan Abbott! I have experience coaching a national club team at MGA Volleyball Club. Not only was I coaching there, I was a player on one of their National Teams! I am currently apart of the Curry Women's Volleyball team. I love helping players reach their goals! 

Coach

Andres Giraldo

Howdy, I'm Andres Javier Giraldo or Coach Andi! A Houston, Texas native with Columbian and Spanish parents, now bringing GCV to Austin! I discovered the amazing game of volleyball during COVID in 2021, and have reached unbelievable heights since then. In five years of playing and coaching, I have been flown to Tokyo, Japan, as well as 20 other states and cities in the U.S. I helped coach a D3 NCAA team in Boston. I bring an abundance of experiences in many different backgrounds, and love to teach one on one lessons in particular, "Believe". Helping an athlete under tutelage believe in themselves on, or off the court is my undeniable passion.  I encourage and celebrate sportsmanship, kindness, and respect, while acknowledging the inherent animalistic nature of competition. When you sign up with me, your child will learn to appreciate growth, merriment, and corporate, and also how to ace everyone off the court!

Coach

Roula Tzepos

Hi! My name is Roula Tzepos, I am a senior at Sacred Heart University studying Political Science. I grew up in Oxford, CT and have been involved in volleyball for over 15 years. I played 2 years of  D1 volleyball at Sacred Heart University. Although I am not currently playing anymore, my love for the sport has never faded. I have played almost every position from libero to outside, however I specialized in setting and offense. I pride myself on being a disciplined, but empathetic coach who listens to what each player needs. I believe that it is not only the skills that makes up an athlete, but the attitude as well. What separates a good athlete from a great one is being positive, driven, and easy to work with. I am so excited to grow and learn with each player that I have the pleasure of working with!   

Coach

Vaia Tsioutsioulas

Hi, my name is Vaia, and I am a sophomore volleyball player at Merrimack College. I bring over 6 years of club experience and have been coaching for the past 3 years, working with athletes of all ages and skill levels. Originally from Toronto, Canada, I offer a versatile perspective on the sport, as a pin hitter, who also competes in beach volleyball which has strengthened my all-around game and understanding of different playing styles, while also thoroughly understanding the recruiting process. Known for being highly organized and detail oriented, I strive to create structured, and fun training sessions that help athletes build their confidence and improve their skills. I am passionate about developing young athletes and helping them achieve their goals both on and off the court through positive and motivating coaching! 

Coach

Brie Gomez

Hi my name is Brie! I am a senior at Bryant University majoring in Accounting. I am originally from Trumbull, CT. I bring 10 years of volleyball experience, and 4 years of club. I also have 6 years of strength & conditioning experience under my belt. Throughout my volleyball career, I specialized in defense. As someone who was a DS/L, I strive in teaching athletes to strengthen their serve receive skills, defense, and overall skills on the court. I don't just train them in volleyball skills,  I help them increase their overall athleticism by becoming stronger, quicker, etc. I create an environment for athletes to feel like they can be themselves as well as excel within the sport of volleyball. I bring fun, energetic coaching style to not only boost athletes confidence in their play but also just in themselves! 

Coach

Claire Davis

Hi, my name is Claire Davis. I'm from Trumbull CT, and am currently a sophomore at Rodger Williams University in Rhode Island and a member of the women's volleyball team as a Pin Hitter. I have been playing volleyball for 6 years and played club volleyball for 4 years before college. I have been coaching for about 3 years now and have a passion for helping young athletes fall in love with volleyball the same way I did. 

Coach

Ella Maldonado

Hi! My name is Ella, and I’m a junior student-athlete at Merrimack College. I carry a deep love for volleyball and a competive mindset as both a player and a coach. I’ve spent three years competing at the Division 1 level, first at Binghamton University and now at Merrimack, and bring that high-level experience into every gym I coach in. I’m from Long Island, New York, where I played six years of club volleyball and finished my my high school career as a New York State Champion and Regional MVP. I’ve competed nationally in both indoor and beach volleyball, representing OK KKBM Branik’s U19 team from Slovenia. While my primary postion is libero, beach volleyball and years of high-level play have given me a strong tactical understanding of every position on the court. I pride myself on being driven, disciplined, and demanding in the best way. I value effort, accountability, and growth, and I strive to help my players compete with confidence and passion while continuing to enjoy the game as much as I do.

Coach

Fabiola Betancourt

Hey y'all! My name is Fabiola Betancourt and I am a junior on the Merrimack College Women's Volleyball Team. I am from Dallas, Texas where I started playing volleyball at six years old. I played indoor club volleyball for seven years, and beach club volleyball for six, where I won three national titles! I've always loved coaching and have been for the past three years. Being able to coach and watch your athlete excel, brings me so much joy it fulfills my heart! With discipline and determination, we will accomplish anything your athlete sets their mind to. I not only want to improve their skills, but I also want to boost their confidence and succeed in the future! 

Coach

Morgan Thurlow 

Hi! My name is Morgan Thurlow. I am a division 1 middle blocker at Merrimack College. I am currently a senior getting ready to graduate in May! I began my collegiate career at Saint Peter's University where I played my first two seasons. I then transferred to Merrimack going into my junior year. I am from Brooklyn, New York, where I attended Xaverian High School. I also played at Brooklyn Elite Volleyball. I am very excited to work with Growth Chasers! 

Social Media Manager

Amanda Gately

Directing media through the eyes of a volleyball player, Amanda brings over 11 years of playing experience to her creative work. As a member of the Merrimack College D1 Women’s Volleyball team, she combines her passion for the game, with her expertise in marketing. Currently in her final semester at Merrimack College, Amanda is earning her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing, and uses her experience both on and off the court to tell stories that inspire and connect audiences.

Marketing Consultant

Jamie Willix

Meet Jamie! She is from Trumbull, CT. She has been playing volleyball since she was 11 years old. Her turning point came when she won a high school State Championship, where she learned success takes far more than just physical skill. Jamie Spent her off-seasons competing at Nova Volleyball Club and later returned as a coach for 3 years, helping athletes grow, both technically and mentally. She went on to commit to DII volleyball at Alliance University, starting as a libero her freshman year, guiding the team with a resilient mindset. She recently graduated from Pace University with a degree in Marketing and is now thrilled to be apart of Growth Chasers Volleyball as a marketing consultant using the same mindset to elevate the program and connect with more athletes!!

Administrative Assistant

Ava Fernandes

Ava is a collegiate athlete at Assumption University. She brings strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and firsthand experience from competitive volleyball to support smooth program operations. Ava is committed to creating an organized, positive environment that helps athletes and coaches succeed. Through her experience at the collegiate level, Ava understands the importance of structure, accountability, and clear communication in athlete development. She is passionate about supporting players, coaches, and families by helping create an environment that is both organized and focused on growth, performance, and success.  

Administrative Assistant

Adam Olivier

Adam assists in maintaining strategic partnerships, web development, and vendor coordination.