The coaching staff will be highly talented individuals from the Lake County area.  These coaches will be certified, background checked and will go through a Nexus VC University Coaching Program which will consist of on and off the court discussions, decisions and scenarios.  This will help further them as individuals to ensure your athlete is receiving the best possible coaching.

14 & under- Paul Zickert (LFHS Girls Varsity Head Coach)
13 & Under - Katie Ross
Assistant Coach--Laura Beth Murphy

Club Director: Paul Zickert
Paul Zickert has been coaching girls' volleyball for 16 years.  He is currently the Head Coach at Lake Forest HS.  He began coaching volleyball in 1992. Paul has coached club volleyball for numerous clubs across the country, acting as Director for 3 years.  For six years, he also coached Division 1 Women's Volleyball at the University of Nevada-Reno, Loyola-Chicago and Kent State University. In addition, he has been a part of numerous camps at the University of Michigan, Michigan State, and Wisconsin. In 1996, Paul had the opportunity to work with the Men's and Women's Olympic teams as an apprentice coach before the 1996 summer Olympic games in Atlanta. Prior to his college coaching, Paul coached for 2 years at North Tahoe HS where he brought both teams downstate and placed 4th and 5th in the Nevada state tournament. Paul received his Bachelor's degree in Physical Education from the University of Nevada-Reno.

13s Coach: Katie Ross
Katie Ross wanted to play volleyball since she was 4 years old and went to the Lake Forest Recreation Center every weekend with her father who played on a league.  Back then, Katie ran to retrieve over-hit volleyballs and was happy to be a part of this lively sport.

St. Anastasia School in Waukegan is a well-respected “feeder” program to competitive high schools in Lake County such as Warren, Carmel and Waukegan.  Katie was a starter on the St. Anastasia team from 5th grade until her 8th grade graduation.  As the Terrier setter, Katie enjoyed her team’s undefeated records in 7th and 8th grades.  The league included teams from Country Day, St. Mary’s, St. Joseph’s, Immaculate Conception and North Shore Academy.

The desire to play ball with a St. Anastasia legend, Sarah Dutcher, drew Katie to attend Waukegan High School.  As a freshman, she lived her young dream to play ball with some of the most talented players in Lake County.  The Waukegan varsity team went to division finals for Katie’s first two years.  Meantime, Katie’s freshman team was regional champs against Warren, which was a highlight – her coach kissed the ground because of Katie’s numbers.

Throughout grade school and high school, in addition to playing on her school teams, Katie participated in club volleyball competition.  Her first club, Net Force, brought her to the Bluegrass, Colorado Springs and Minneapolis tournaments.  With Shoreline in junior and senior years Katie’s team placed 7th out of 500 at Davis.

In college, Katie played for Concordia University in River Forest, IL.  With Katie as setter her sophomore year, the team was conference champs.  Since college, Katie returned to the Shoreline club for a year of coaching 12 year old players.  There is great satisfaction in helping new players build their skills and watch them develop a love for the sport.  Katie is looking forward to a great season with this new club and enthusiastic team.

Assistant Coach--Laura Beth Murphy
Laura Murphy has played competitive volleyball since the age of 10.  She joined the Shoreline Volleyball Club at that time and continued playing through high school.  Laura is a graduate of the class of 2004 from Warren High School, where she played for their volleyball program as well.  During her senior year, she made the decision to pursue her career in cosmetology.  Throughout her years of cosmetology training, Laura was still very involved in volleyball. She worked for Lake Forest High School in many capacities, including coaching volleyball clinics.  Laura is looking forward to working with Paul and Katie and forming a new tradition in volleyball excellence with the Nexus Volleyball Club.