Coaches

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Coach Harrold is the club director as well as a coach. She started coaching varsity volleyball in 2000. Starting at Marshall High School as the head coach, she built the program from five wins in the first season to winning three NCMC Conference titles in a row. At Cameron High School, her team won districts, and at Liberty North, the Eagles won their first Suburban Conference title. Now at Lawson, she has coached the Cardinals to district and KCI titles, a 4th place finish at State, and an Elite 8 appearance. She has 20 years head coaching experience, run a club and coached club for 15+ years. 

Coaching Philosophy:  Play right * Play Hard * Have fun *

Contact:  northstormvbc@gmail.com

Coach Kat Riley is a successful pharmacist, specializing in infectious diseases and teaching at the University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Pharmacy. She has returned to her volleyball roots and established herself as a solid coach. Kat was a standout libero in high school, showing an uncommon work ethic and heart in all her play. Kat is entering her eighth year of coaching club, has coached youth camps, assisted Coach Becky Harrold in summer camps, and is currently the JV coach at Smithville High School. 

Coaching philosophy:   

Focus on what you can control, encourage your teammates and dig in deep when things get hard. 

Be the best player FOR the team 

"The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him." - GK Chesterton

Contact:  kmbg33@gmail.com

Coach Addison Simpkins graduated from Lawson in 2019 and helped lead her team to a  District Championship title. Additionally, Coach Addison has experience  working with a Division One college volleyball program as a student  manager learning  different coaching techniques and skills. Addison  currently works as a behavioral health case manager at University  Health, and is in graduate school at UMKC obtaining her Masters in  Counseling to become a therapist. This is Coach Addison’s sixth season  with North Storm, where she has coached all age groups. Coach Addison  enjoys building up the self-esteem of players, and modeling skills that  will take players beyond the court. Her coaching philosophy includes  playing with intensity, being eager to learn and improve, and having  resiliency.  

Coaching Philosophy:   “I want my players to understand that skill is only half of the game.  The other half, and maybe the most important part of playing volleyball  is having a calm and collected mind. I try to teach athletes that  having a tough mentality and ability to move forward is what makes a  player successful.” 

Contact:  addy.simpkins@gmail.com

Coach Ellie Smith was born and raised in Lawson, MO, graduating in 2021. She played volleyball from 5th grade to 12th grade under Coach Harrold. She was an All Conference and All District Setter, holding records in both assists and serving at Lawson High School. She used her strong leadership and knowledge of the game to lead her team to two District titles in 2018 and 2020 and Lawson’s first State appearance in 2020. She is currently attending the University of Central Missouri and studying speech pathology. Ellie is very passionate about coaching young girls and bringing her passion and knowledge of the game to North Storm. Her love of the game shows through her attitude and energy she has on and off the court. Ellie is also a MSHSSA official. 

Coaching Philosophy: *Team > Me *Hustle *Good Work Ethic *Hard Work *Good Attitude *Respect *Have Fun!!!

Contact:  elliebrooke32@gmail.com

Coach Heather Johnson, a Carrollton native, now lives in Lawson with her husband, Austin, and  two kids. She is looking forward to stepping back into the volleyball  world after being away for several years raising her family. As a  player, Heather played for Carrollton High School and Element Club  Volleyball. She was an All-Conference and All-District middle blocker, and her club team qualified for Nationals in 2004. She then played one  season of collegiate volleyball for Missouri Western State University in  2006. She credits club volleyball for helping her develop into the athlete that she was and for giving her a love for the game! She is excited to help give young athletes the same great experience and  memories while teaching skills and values that extend on and off the  volleyball court. Heather coached one year of club volleyball before starting a family and most recently returned to coaching for the LYSA  5th and 6th grade team. Professionally, Heather works as an accountant  from home and homeschools her two children. 

Coaching Philosophy:  Strive to take each individual athlete’s strengths and abilities and  develop them into a cohesive team that continues to learn, grow,  compete, and have fun! Celebrate small successes and understand that the  lessons learned on the volleyball court will serve these young athletes  well into life even after they hang up their volleyball uniform for the  last time.

Contact:  wearethejohnsons300@gmail.com

Coach Whitney Wilson is starting her 7th year with North Storm and is currently the Junior Varsity coach at Cameron High School. She graduated from Cameron in 2013 where she was a record setting All-Conference, District, and Regional Libero and played club for 6 years, traveling all over the country. She graduated from MWSU in 2017 with a degree in Health and Exercise Science. Whitney has coached all ages, ranging from elementary school to high school, andbrings high energy, competitive drive, and a positive attitude to all teams she coaches. She looks forward to sharing her passion and knowledge of the sport with a new wave of athletes and building players who are confident in themselves on and off the court.

Coaching Philosophy:  * Volleyball teaches athletes how to be resilient on the court and in life. 

* Always strive to improve. 

* Each point is earned with determination, hustle, and team cohesiveness.  

* Your team is your family. 

* Negativeattitude = negative team. 

* Play with passion and intensity, giving it your all every game.

Contact:  whitneywalser@gmail.com

Coach Ashlynn Rowland was an All-State outside hitter from Lone Jack High School as well as a club player. She currently plays at William Jewell. Ashlynn starts her coaching journey with North Storm VBC and brings her competitiveness, efficient organization, and vast knowledge of skills to a veteran team. 

Coach Avery McVicker was born and raised in Cameron, MO and grew up around volleyball.  She would watch her mom when she went out with friends to play. She started  playing volleyball in rec leagues as early as 3rd grade and continued  playing volleyball until she was about 10 and started playing competitive club volleyball on a 12s team. She then moved to North Storm and loved every second of it. She stayed from her 13s year all the way to her 18s year!  Becky Harrold was even her coach for quite some time. During high school, Avery made All-Conference and All-District all 4 years. She also made the All-State team her junior and senior year. She had always wanted to play volleyball in college, and her senior year, she signed up to play volleyball at Missouri Western State University. She played DS and was an outside hitter as well. Avery looks forward to pouring her knowledge and understanding of the game into coaching!

Coach Madison Grekstas comes to us from Huntsville, Texas where she was a standout player. She currently plays middle hitter/blocker at William Jewell College. Madison brings her expertise in hitting and blocking to a veteran team as she joins North Storm VBC to start her coaching career. 

Coaching Philosophy:  

Contact Coach Harrold for information

Coach Karson Werle grew up in Orrick, MO where she was a varsity  starter all four years and made All-Conference and All-District her  junior and senior years. She moved to Gower, MO after she graduated  high school in 2018. In 2021, she became the Freshman Volleyball Coach  at East Buchanan and helped lead them to a District title and a Final  Four appearance. She is starting her third year of coaching there. She  is also beginning her first year coaching with North Storm! 

Coaching Philosophy:  Do everything I can to help those I coach grow, develop, and succeed individually and as a team! 

Work Hard. Be Coachable. Positive Attitude. Respect Given, Respect Earned. Have Fun! 

Contact:  karsonwerle03@gmail.com

Club is a great way to build a resumé for young coaches.