Meet our Staff
Director & Coach - Amanda Zima
Amanda brings over 20 years of coaching experience, primarily in volleyball, complemented by a background in high school basketball coaching at various middle schools, high schools, club teams, and colleges. Currently, she serves as the head coach for the Michigan State Women’s Club Volleyball Team.
Passionate about fostering athletes’ skills and confidence, Amanda emphasizes a coaching philosophy rooted in structure, constructive feedback, and encouragement. Throughout her coaching career, she has celebrated numerous highlights, including leading teams to several open division championships and securing many runner-up and third place finishes in regional and national tournaments at top levels. Additionally, she has guided her school teams to achieve undefeated seasons.
Amanda’s accolades include the Coaches and MVP Award from Forsyth Tech and the All-Region Player Award from the North Carolina Tarheel Conference. She holds the North Carolina Regional Volleyball Coaches Certification and SafeSport certification and maintains active memberships in several prestigious organizations, including AAU, AVCA, USAVB, JVA, and MJVBA.
Zima is excited to keep offering opportunities through Midwest Select Sports, where she can’t wait to share her passion for volleyball and various other sports while helping to foster the growth of local youth in athletics.
Current Teams: 18U National Commanders & 15U National Raiders
Associate Director & Coach - Sarah Thompson
Sarah is deeply committed to fostering youth sports within her community. She holds a degree in Physical Education and Health Sciences from Western Michigan University, which she has effectively utilized to co-found both Midwest Select Volleyball and the community program BC United Softball. With over 25 years of volleyball experience, Sarah has played at the collegiate level for both Kalamazoo Valley Community College and the Western Michigan University Club teams. Currently, she coaches two teams, is our MWS Home Host Tournament Director. She is bringing more than two decades of coaching expertise across youth sports, community centers, and the Harper Creek Volleyball program (including Middle School, Junior Varsity, and Assistant Varsity levels). Additionally, she has previously coached club volleyball for USA Michigan, WeCan, and Redline, marking her third year with Midwest Select Volleyball.
Over the past five years, Sarah has skillfully balanced her professional commitments, family life, and coaching her daughters in various club, school, and travel volleyball and softball programs. Her coaching philosophy emphasizes that “youth sports impart lessons beyond just the game; it’s a life experience. Being part of a team fosters hard work, responsibility, dedication, teamwork, and self-worth.”
Sarah is an enthusiastic coach both on and off the court, eagerly looking forward to each season as a new opportunity for growth alongside her team. Her most cherished moments in coaching are the “ah-ha moments” when an athlete or the entire team suddenly grasps a concept, achieving their goals, no matter how big or small.
Current Teams: 15U National Panthers & 14U Regional Lions
Youth Director & Coach - Bre Johnson
Bre Johnson boasts an impressive coaching career that spans 25 years across various levels of volleyball. Her journey started as a high school volleyball player and evolved into a collegiate career at Owens Community College and Wayne State University, where she earned a degree in business. After graduating, she transitioned into coaching, beginning as the assistant coach at the University of Louisiana Monroe before advancing to Bowling Green State University.
Following her collegiate coaching experience, Bre returned to high school and club volleyball while also immersing herself in the fitness industry. She worked as a personal trainer, instructor, and facility manager at a women’s fitness center. Bre coached at Bedford High School and Lakeview High School before taking on her current position as the Varsity Coach at Marshall High School. During her time at Marshall, she has celebrated remarkable success, securing five consecutive district titles and reaching the regional finals multiple times.
Beyond her coaching achievements, Bre has shared her knowledge by presenting at the AVCA national clinic on youth development in volleyball and at the MIVCA state clinic focused on skills and drills for young players. She currently serves as the Vice President of MIVCA and is involved with Miss/Mr. Volleyball for the state of Michigan. Bre has also coached club volleyball for various organizations, dedicating 12 seasons to Premier/M Juniors, one season with USA Michigan, and four seasons with Redline before joining Midwest Select.
With a profound passion for both volleyball and fitness, Bre served as the Wellness Director at the local YMCA for five years, continuing to teach numerous group fitness classes. She holds several certifications, including AFAA Group Exercise, Jillian Michaels Body Shred, G.E.A.R Indoor Cycling, Coach by Color Indoor Cycling, CrossFit Level One, and Cap & Impact Coaching Certifications. Previously, she also earned an AFAA Personal Training Certification.
Bre lives in Battle Creek with her husband, Mike, and their seven children: Brynn (14), Nico (12), Brevin (10), Mical (10), Karma (10), Ricky (8), and Kole (7). Her unwavering dedication to volleyball and fitness shines through in her commitment to coaching and nurturing the next generation of athletes.
Current Team: 12U National Jaguars
Coach Holly Conley
Coach Holly Conley brings over 20 years of coaching experience across various levels of the sport. She began her journey in coaching by leading a club team for a year before taking on the role of varsity coach at Bellevue High School in 2003. During her time at BHS, she also contributed to several club teams, including Set to Kill and WeCan.
A notable milestone in her career came when she was invited to coach at her alma mater, Pennfield Schools, starting as a middle school coach for seventh and eighth grades. After a year of coaching freshmen, she is now the Junior Varsity coach. Additionally, Holly has spent a year coaching with Midwest Select.
Residing in Battle Creek with her husband Chris and their two children, Brady and Bryce, Coach Conley remains dedicated to fostering young athletes’ skills and passion for the game.
Current Teams: 17U Local Cowboys & 16U Regional Colts
Coach Mackenzie Benham
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Current Team: 15U National Panthers
Additional Program Responsibilities: Tiered Training Facilitator
Coach Brooke Wells
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Current Team: 13U Local Falcons
Coach Erin Wagaman
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Coach Maddie Reynolds
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Coach Taegan Anderson
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Coach Sydney Kreger
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Coach Logan Eldridge
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Coach Maddie Johnson
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Coach Maggie Burkwalt
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Coach Kailey Canterbury
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Coach Maya Valentine
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Coach Krista Brannen
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Coach Kyah Lynn
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Coach Courtney Fuller
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Coach Avery Hock
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Coach Alexis Stealy
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