Note:
(Coaching assignments can change as teams develop. These are tentative assignments.)
Pali 15's and 18's
Matthew Diaz & Evan Mottram
A CSUN graduate in Kinesiology. Worked under Neal Newman at University High School for 5 years and learned the game of Volleyball and how to coach! Volleyball was life and life was Volleyball. Matthew learned that everything done on the court could be performed in school, family, friends, career and sports. Education came first for Matthew, being named to the Honor roll 4 times. Although not a starter at CSUN, Matthew's hard work and determined attitude made his teammates work. Matthew also played on the 1997 Maccabi Team that earned at Bronze Medal in Israel. Prior to coming to PPVBC Matthew ran the Youth Sports program for the City of Santa Monica (10 Years), K- 8th grade. He has been coaching Volleyball for over 20 years and has been a Physical Education Teacher in Hollywood for 10 years. Matthew has produced Olympians, NCAA All- Americans and AVP winners. His passion and dedication to his athletes is second to none. He has the ability to create an environment on the court (and off) and in practice where the "Motivation to achieve always prevails over the fear of failure". His players focus on the process of getting better as volleyball players, not the product! His philosophy of the game and coaching ability has earned him a spot with the USA Volleyball High Performance Staff since 2001. Matthew has earned Gold Medals at the 2008 and 2006 Junior Olympics and a Bronze in 2007 and 2009. Last year he had 5 of the 19 chosen for the Youth National team. He also send 9 of his 12 guys to play in the NCAA.
A family man at heart with his wife Lisa and 6 year old Nathan and Camilla (2 year old), Matthew makes his team his family and his family his team! He has been a Co-owner of PPVBC since 2001
Evan Mottram will serve as an assistant with Matthew Diaz for a 2nd year in a row. Oliver Deutschman will also serve as an assistant.
Pali 16's Black or 18's Black
Matt Townsend
Matt Townsend is a graduate from UC Santa Barbara where he was a 4 year starter on the club team. During his last 2 years at UCSB, the club team was ranked as high as #3 in the nation and experienced unprecedented success. Originally from Northridge, Matt played club volleyball with the Santa Monica Beach Club, where he won a silver medal in 2006 (16 Open) under NCAA Champion James Ka and a gold medal in 2007 (17 Open) under Olympian Jeff Stork. A graduate from Chaminade College Preparatory, Matt was a 4 year varsity starter at outside hitter and a 3 time All Mission League selection. While at Chaminade, Matt assisted with the school’s summer volleyball camps each of his 4 years there with kids between ages 7-14. In 2007, Matt competed in the Global Challenge in Maribor, Slovenia with the SCVA Regional Team, where the team placed 2nd overall. As a senior in 2008, he was named to VolleyballMagazine’s Fab 50 and was recruited to play at UCSB. Budget cuts to the men’s volleyball program at UCSB ultimately kept Matt from participating at the NCAA level, but he continued to pursue his volleyball career at the collegiate club level. While at UCSB, Matt got his start with coaching with the SB Spikers Volleyball Club. He served as the assistant coach under Ricardo DoMonte with the 17 and under team during the 2010-2011 season. While also with the SB Spikers, Matt helped conduct numerous volleyball clinics with the Page Youth Center for kids between ages 8-15. Matt holds a deep passion for teaching the game and hopes to continue his success in volleyball through coaching.
Pali 17's Kaepa
Brandon Ricard
Brandon is a graduate of University of Hawaii, where he redshirted for one year but opted not to play to focus on academics. Brandon has worked beach camps (Sinjin Smith) for 6 years in all age groups with a focus on fundamentals. He has worked at Notre Dame Girls Academy for 3 years where he led the JV team to League championships. He also worked many Beach camps in Hawaii while attending school. This will be Brandon's 3rd year with PPVBC. He has a strong foundation in fundamentals and has a passion for the game that he transfers to all his players. He is currently working in Construction in the family business.
Pali 16's
Giulio Montalto
Giulio started playing volleyball in high school in the early nineties in Italy. As a player he won two catholic high school national championships for Istituto Massimiliano Massimo in Rome, Italy. After moving to Santa Monica to attend Loyola Marymont University Air Force ROTC program, he enrolled at Santa Monica College as a Kinesiology major. At Santa Monica College he played volleyball for two years and reached the state playoffs1998. He continued to play volleyball and learn the game under the supervision of Elaine Roque’. Giulio coached for several local volleyball clubs and clinics such as Venice Volleyball club and Elaine Roque’s Summer Volleyball camps. After leaving coaching for several years due to a busy corporate management career, he returned to coaching in 2009 as an assistant coach for the Santa Monica College women’s team. Giulio believes that showing team spirit, a strong working ethic and dedication will achieve greater success than any win. It’s about being able to keep your head high and say you gave it your all when leaving the court at the end of a mach. Giulio is proud to have had the opportunity to coach all ages over the years, from as young as ten year olds to college level players.
Pali 14's and 18's
Carlos Gray
Carlos was a 1st team All Conference, 2nd team all league Junior College All Western State Conference-Santa Monica College. Head Varsity Girls and Boys @ Malibu High School 8 Years where he has won numerous titles with boys and girls. 2005 Boys Junior Olympic Volleyball Championship Silver Medalist,14 and under. Carlos has also served as an Asst. with the Pali 15's (2006) and Pali 17's (2008) Gold Medal teams and Bronze medal Pali 16's (2007) team. Carlos has over 20 years working with young athletes in a variety of sports and competitive levels. Carlos is fundamentally sound coach that has a passion for the game that allows his players to compete at a level they never thought they could! This will be his 9th year with Pacific Palisades Volleyball Club. Carlos is currently a Resource Specialist @ Malibu High School and the father to Joey :-)
Pali 14's Black & Blue
Charlie Stennett
All State Volleyball player @ Santa Monica College and San Diego State University. Pro Beach Volleyball player and owner of Pacific Palisades Volleyball Club for the past 22 years. Charlie has been a staple in the Pacific Palisades community since his attendance at Palisades High School. With a coaching philosophy based upon fundamentals, Charlie has coached Collegiate players and Olympians the past 20 years. Charlie is happily married for 25+ years to Patti who teaches @ St. Matthews and has a two children Katie and Bryan, both in college. Charlie is Currently a Project Manager at a major Construction Firm.
Jason Ward
Jason comes to us via the mid-west. This is his 2nd year with PPVBC and we are excited to have him on staff again. Jason was a standout outside hitter that earned All-League honors and went to play College Club Volleyball. Jason has worked numerous camps over the years with a wide range of ages 10-18, boys and girls. Jason has the patience to work with the new players that have never touched a volleyball and also the high level athlete that needs the little adjustments to bring them to the next level. Last year Jason coached our Pali 14 Black Boys team and they moved up 2 divisions. This year he will coach a girls and boys team. He always comes prepared, has a plan with specific objectives and listens to the kids when they speak. Jason works with websites and is single and also lives in the Palisades.