Our Team

Cheyenne Vaca

Owner/Coach

Howdy y’all! My name is Cheyenne Vaca. I am so excited to start this journey here at BPV, as well as continue my 11th year of coaching!

I played club volleyball for 6 years at Pure Energy Volleyball, Austin Juniors and Roots. I was a 4-year varsity starter at Salado High School. Following high school and club, I continued my career playing collegiately at Greenville University as a 6-rotation outside hitter.

I started my coaching career at the young age of 16 giving private lessons to junior high athletes and have continued that work to this day. I have coached for multiple clubs such as H2 in St. Louis, Texas Legends Volleyball, and CTX Slam Volleyball, where I was also the director. I have advised at several other organizations, and coached multiple clinics at various local high schools.

My coaching philosophy is pretty straight forward. I coach in a way that provides young athletes with the tools to succeed, not just in the volleyball world, but in the professional world too. I believe in giving lots of positive reinforcement while still focusing on areas of improvement. I never ask my athletes for perfection. The only thing I ask is that they give me a perfect effort on and off the court, in the classroom, and in the community. What I mean by perfect effort is showing up, in whatever circumstance, and being fully present physically, mentally, and emotionally. I love to win but my success and my team’s success is not based solely on a statistic. I want to see my athlete’s grow in their athletic and personal skills.

Keith Nicholsen

Houston Director/17s Coach

Keith Nicholsen III, a proud native of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, has built an impressive career in volleyball coaching, marked by dedication, strategic acumen, and an unwavering commitment to the sport. His journey began at the age of eight when he first discovered his passion for volleyball. As a standout player through middle school, high school, college, and professional career, Keith's exceptional skills and leadership on the court set the stage for his future coaching career.

Keith's formal coaching career commenced in 2011 when he joined Pure Energy Volleyball Club in Harker Heights. Over two years, he developed a reputation for his energetic coaching style and ability to connect with players, fostering an environment of growth and competitive excellence. In 2016, Keith returned to the Virgin Islands to coach the Antilles School volleyball team. His tenure, though brief, was impactful as he brought innovative training techniques and a renewed focus on team dynamics, leading the team to notable successes during the 2016-2017 season. Keith's commitment to advancing youth volleyball continued with his role at Waco Juniors Volleyball Club from 2019 to 2021. Here, he refined his coaching methodologies, focusing on player development and competitive strategies. In 2022, Keith took on a coaching position at Roots Volleyball Club. His expertise and motivational coaching style contributed significantly to the club's achievements, helping to elevate the performance and morale of the players.

Today, Keith Nicholsen III continues to lead with passion and purpose. His journey in volleyball coaching is a testament to his dedication to the game and his profound influence on the volleyball community in the Virgin Islands and beyond. His story inspires many and stands as a beacon of what can be achieved with passion, perseverance, and a love for the sport.

Bonita Njele

Central Texas

12s Head Coach

Hello! I'm Coach B, and I’m so excited to be a part of this amazing volleyball community. I come from a small town in Michigan, where my love for sports began early. I played AAU volleyball out of Kalamazoo, MI.

I have dedicated over 20 years to coaching youth sports in multiple states. As a medically retired Army veteran and a decorated service member, discipline, hard work, and perseverance are values I carry with me every day. I proudly served in the Army, and while I’ve been away from volleyball for some time, my passion for the game never faded.

Coaching youth athletes has always been my calling, and I’m thrilled to return to the court to help young athletes grow not just as players, but as individuals. My coaching philosophy focuses on building solid fundamentals, setting and achieving goals, and giving 100% effort in every practice. We train how we play. My goal is to help my players develop their athletic skills and, more importantly, grow into confident, responsible adults who understand the power of discipline, teamwork, and resilience. I believe that being coachable, learning how to adapt, and embracing the journey will make these young women not only better athletes but also better leaders in life. I know what it’s like to come from nothing.

I’m excited to teach these athletes the value of hard work, dedication, and the importance of building each other up as a team. It’s an honor to be part of such a great organization, and I can’t wait to see where this season takes us!

Anna Ferguson

Houston

12s Head Coach

Howdy! My name is Ryan Ferguson, and this is my first official year coaching volleyball. This sport has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember.

I grew up in North Alabama, where I played for both my high school team and a competitive travel ball organization. Those years really shaped who I am—not just as an athlete, but as a person—and taught me the value of hard work, teamwork, and pushing through challenges. After high school, I continued my volleyball journey in a different capacity by becoming a team manager for the Division I women’s volleyball program at Troy University. Being part of that program gave me a whole new perspective on the sport. I got to see the behind-the-scenes work it takes to run a successful team, and I learned so much from the coaches and athletes I worked with during that time. After graduating from Troy, I moved to College Station to pursue my master’s degree and have stayed passionate about volleyball ever since.

As a coach, my philosophy is centered around growth—both on and off the court. While I love the competitive side of the game, what matters most to me is helping players build confidence, develop strong character, and believe in their own potential. I want my athletes to walk away from each season not just as better volleyball players, but as more coachable, compassionate, ambitious, and disciplined individuals. I believe that volleyball is an amazing vehicle for teaching life lessons and helping young people find their voice, their confidence, and their strength. To me, success doesn’t look the same for every player. No matter what the goal is, I value personal improvement in all its forms. There’s no one way to measure progress, and I believe every step forward deserves to be recognized and celebrated.

Melinda Woodall

Central Texas

13s Head Coach

Melinda Woodall began her coaching career at the Intense Volleyball Club in Lexington South Carolina where she coached 13’s and 14’s for 4 years. She also coached for 4 years on the high school level as a Varsity assistant coach and head JV coach. Along with playing volleyball in high school and coaching various other sports, she has been involved in sports her whole life. Melinda graduated from Liberty University with a Masters in Teaching, Special Education, in 2023. She began teaching in 2018 as a special education assistant, then at Killeen ISD as a teacher in 2023, and will continue her career, teaching special education, at Rogers Elementary for the '25-'26 school year.

Dia Smith

Houston

13s Head Coach

COMING SOON!

Claresse Cooper

Central Texas

14s Head Coach

My name is Claresse Cooper, but everyone calls me Cece. My love for volleyball started when I watched my older sister play her first middle school eighth grade game. Watching the players dig, set, and kill the ball and seeing the excitement it brought people, made me think, "Yep, this is a sport for me!"

I have played volleyball since 4th grade. I played through my senior year of high school before tearing my ACL. Because of my injury, I have become a huge stickler on injury rehabilitation and self-care as an athlete. Following my knee injury, I played at an HBCU in San Antonio, St. Phillips College, for two years before Covid hit. I still play volleyball in the Waco, Killeen, and Austin areas.

During the time of Covid, I coached the fundamentals of volleyball at local YMCAs, and Boys and Girls Clubs. I began my club coaching career in 2023 as a 14s regional team head coach. I am dedicated to helping young athletes boost their self-esteem and confidence—both on and off the court—while developing their volleyball and life skills.

I look forward to working with every young athlete that chooses BPV as their training home!

Omar Joglar

Houston

14s Head Coach

Born in San Juan Puerto Rico. Raised in a sports family with my Father (RIP) as a professional basketball coach and my grandfather (RIP). Teacher and multi sport coach at The University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras Campus. My wife, Cristina Belaval, and I have been married for 21 years and have two beautiful children, Valeria Joglar 16 and Andrea Joglar 19. I’m a huge fan of the Houston Astros, L.A. Lakers and Houston Texans. My hobbies are cooking and playing golf. I also enjoy spending time with my beloved pets Golden Retriever - Patty, Rescue Dog - Marley, and Cat - Blakie.

I started playing volleyball and basketball at the age of 10. I studied and played all basketball and volleyball teams at La Merced High School. Mini 11-12, Juvenile 13-14, Junior 15-16, Senior Varsity 17-18. I graduated from high school and started studying Education with a concentration in Physical Education at the University of Puerto Rico. I played outside hitter and middle in college where I was named All-Round Player of the year in 1995.

I started coaching volleyball at the age of 19 as a side job in many clubs and high schools in PR. Following college, I worked as a teacher in P.E., Athletic Director and volleyball, basketball, baseball, and track and field at La Merced High School, for 10 years. In my 9th year, we won the all High Schools Men’s Varsity tournament in P.R. Copa El Nuevo Dia. My family and I eventually moved to The Woodlands. I began coaching at TAV from 2018-2022 with their 14, 15, 16 and 17 teams. In 2023 I became a certified USAV Regional Referee and High School TASO Referee. My coaching philosophy is teaching first the skills of the game and then coach. I want to improve my players on and off the court to be successful in life. Positive attitudes and 110% effort all the time. Make goals realistic as short, middle and long term.

Quotes important in my life:

"The spirit, the will to win and the will to excel are things that endure. These qualities are so much more important than the events that occasion them." -Vince Lombardi

T.E.A.M = Together Everyone Achieves More. There is no "I" in Team!

Dejon Griffin 

Central Texas

15s Head Coach

With over a decade of experience shaping athletes and elevating volleyball programs, I bring a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and innovation to every team I work with. Since 2014, I've coached across Texas, Louisiana, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., developing athletes through high-level training, strategic program development, and mentorship that fosters both athletic and personal growth. As the Owner and Director of NELA Elite Volleyball Club, I’ve overseen indoor and outdoor programs, helping athletes achieve collegiate scholarships through personalized development plans. My coaching philosophy blends technical precision with dynamic strength and conditioning methods, ensuring players excel in speed, agility, and game strategy.

Throughout my tenure, I have successfully led teams in competitive environments, broken program records, and cultivated strong team cultures that emphasize discipline, integrity, and excellence. Certified in Gold Medal Squared, AAU, USAV, Safesport, and IMPACT, I continue to refine my coaching methodologies to stay ahead of the evolving demands of the sport. Whether it's leading multi-team practices, organizing tournaments, or mentoring athletes toward their full potential, I am committed to building winning teams and empowering players to succeed on and off the court.

Currently, the Varsity Assistant Volleyball Coach at Lake Belton High School.

COMING SOON!

Shawn Ware

Houston

15s Head Coach

Hello! I’m Cameron Ware, and I’m excited to be part of the BPV coaching family this season! I’ve been playing volleyball for 16 years, starting in Houston where I played club for 9 years. After high school, I continued my career at Thomas More University, where I played as an outside hitter for 4 years.

Volleyball has played a huge role in shaping who I am—on and off the court—and now I’m passionate about giving back to the game by helping the next generation of players grow and succeed. I’m here not just to teach skills, but to help athletes build confidence, work as a team, and love the game as much as I do!

COMING SOON!

Tilar Stanford 

Houston

16s Head Coach

COMING SOON!

Tali Coleman

Central Texas

17s Head Coach

Coach Tali brings a wealth of experience both on and off the court, with over a decade of competitive play and coaching under his belt. A four-year varsity athlete in high school, he earned 2nd Team All-Star honors his junior year and 1st Team All-Star his senior year in the West Division. He played club volleyball for Kui’Kahi and continued his collegiate career at Lakeland University in Wisconsin, competing as a versatile hitter—Middle, Right Side, and Outside—while also being recognized as a Scholar-Athlete. Tali expanded his talents to the international beach volleyball stage, representing American Samoa on the National Beach Team and competing in the 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands. He is also a proud member of both the AVP and NAGVA.

His coaching career began early as a player/assistant coach at the high school level from 2013 to 2015, followed by a role as a Volunteer Assistant Men’s Coach at Lakeland University. Currently, he serves as a Head and Assistant Coach at VolleyWorld in Georgetown, TX, and a Floater/Sub Coach with Texas Fury Volleyball Club. He’s also led younger athletes in Club Prep programs for 4th–8th grade girls in 2024 and 2025.

Coach Tali is passionate about athlete development, fostering a competitive yet supportive environment, and bringing high-level experience to every athlete he coaches.

Jacob Kujak 

Houston

Youth Development Coordinator/Private Lesson Coach

  • 2010 Head Coach

    • Holmen HS Girls Varsity

  • 2010-2023 Girls Club Coach (10U-18U)

    • Vhawk Xtreme VBC (8 seasons)

    • Club Synergy VBC (1 season)

    • Elevate VBC (5 seasons)

  • 2012-'13 Head Women's Volleyball Coach

    • Western Technical College

  • 2012-'18 Badger Region High Performance Camps and Traveling Coach

  • 2018 Assistant Men's Volleyball Coach

    • Viterbo University

  • 2019-'23 Owner/Director

    • Elevate VBC, LLC

  • 2023-'25 Lead Coach and Camp Coach

    • North State Volleyball Academy