COACHES WHO TEACH THE GAME
Thunderbolt coaches are selected not only for their volleyball experience, but for their ability to teach, communicate, motivate, and build athletes in a positive, competitive environment.
MEET OUR COACHES
Originally from Poland, former player in High School and College, over 15 years of coaching experience in the St. Louis and St. Charles area, extremely passionate about volleyball and young athletes’ development.
“I believe foundation skills are a catalyst to an energetic, fun, fast-moving game! Ball handling is #1, then everything else falls in place. What I enjoy the most is when I make the right call about the player’s position (even if the player does not believe in herself at the moment), and later, the player discovers the power within herself and shows tremendous pride! It’s an amazing feeling! I love seeing a positive impact on players!”
I am a former setter and libero who still competes in sand volleyball because I believe the best coaches continue to learn, grow, and practice what they teach. My goal is to build confident, disciplined athletes by emphasizing strong fundamentals, communication, and a team-first mindset while creating a competitive environment where every player can reach their full potential.
Brian Sowinski is the Head Coach of Thunderbolt’s 15U Gold team for the 2026-27 season. This is his sixth year with the club. Over those years, he has coached a range of age groups, most recently 14U Navy.
Brian’s coaching is built on the belief that lasting skill comes from confidence, character, and resilience. He works to push his athletes to compete at a high level while keeping the gym a place they want to be, and he treats failure as a normal, useful part of getting better rather than something to fear.
Brian strives to develop the whole athlete. He works to build skills that carry well beyond the court, things like work ethic, accountability, composure under pressure, and the confidence to lead. His goal for every player is the same: to leave the season more capable and more confident than they arrived, and better prepared for whatever comes next.
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I am originally from Osage, IA where I grew up playing every sport possible. I played college volleyball at Grand View University in Des Moines, IA, where I played every position every season. While playing collegiate volleyball, I also coached for Club Ignit Select for 3 seasons and was the beach program Director for CIS.
I then moved to St. Louis to pursue my chiropractic education at Logan University. I have since graduated from Logan and own a chiropractic clinic in St. Peters – Old Mill Chiropractic.
With over 5 years of coaching experience, I am dedicated to sharing my passion and skills with the athletes to help them on the journey to excellence.
Former defensive specialist/libero turned setter with a strong volleyball IQ and a passion for developing the game. Head Coach of the Gateway STEM High School Boys Volleyball team. When I’m not coaching, you’ll usually find me playing sand volleyball and staying connected to the sport I love, or hanging out with my dog, River!
“Building confidence and the mental aspect of the game is most important to me. I pride myself on being a coach who challenges athletes to shift their mindset. Mistakes are a part of the game – but it’s what you do after that counts.”
Coach Payton has played volleyball at the collegiate level and specializes in defense and hitting.
Last season, she led her 12U Gold team to earn a bid to AAU Nationals in Orlando and placed 22nd out of 135 teams in her division in Nationals! Her ability to coach young athletes and make them passionate and hungry for success is outstanding! She is also a coach of freshmen at St. Charles High School.
“I have been coaching volleyball for the past four years and am passionate about helping athletes grow both on and off the court. I love being involved in the sport, developing players’ skills, and building strong, positive relationships with each athlete. My goal is to create a supportive environment where players can gain confidence, improve their game, and enjoy the experience of achieving success as a team. ”
Sara is a dedicated coach, leader, and lifelong learner with a passion for youth sports and family. Last year, she served as Assistant Coach for the Thunderbolts 12U Gold team and also coached with the YMCA, where her team earned 1st place. Outside of coaching, she works full-time as an office manager for a pediatric practice, where she brings organization, care, and leadership every day.
In her free time, she enjoys playing volleyball with her daughter and embracing opportunities to learn new things and grow both personally and professionally.
Coach Amy has over 20 years of combined coaching experience and has been with Thunderbolt Volleyball since 2019 as a Head Coach and Power League Director. She was the Head JV Volleyball Coach and Assistant Varsity Volleyball Coach at Ocoee High School in Ocoee, FL for three years, former HS Varsity volleyball athlete, and played collegiate/intramural and adult volleyball leagues.
I pride myself in developing my athletes to their fullest potential – both on and off the court. I want every practice, every game, to reflect their hard work and dedication. I stress skill sets of passing, court communication, footwork, and game IQ – I want every athlete on my team to understand the game, trust their teammates, strive for good sportsmanship, be responsible for and learn from their mistakes, and push themselves to the next level of play!
I am passionate about helping athletes develop strong fundamentals, confidence, and a competitive mindset.
Assistant Coach, 4 of coaching experience. I’m committed to developing athletes who compete with confidence, discipline, and relentless effort. My focus is on sharpening fundamentals, building strong communication, and pushing players to embrace challenges. I coach to create competitors who attack every point, elevate their teammates, and play with purpose every time they step on the court.
I have been coaching volleyball since 2022, working with recreational, Power League, and Club teams ranging from 12U to 16U. Most recently, I served as Head Coach for 12U and 15U Club teams, focusing on developing strong fundamentals, confidence, and a love for the game.
As a former competitive indoor and sand volleyball player, I bring both technical knowledge and strategic insight to my coaching. I believe in hard work, mental toughness, and using sports to teach discipline, integrity, teamwork, and perseverance. My goal is to create a positive environment where athletes are challenged, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential.
Outside of volleyball, I am a mom of three, Chief Medical Officer (Firefighter/Paramedic), and President of our Firefighters Community Outreach Charity. These leadership roles strengthen the communication, organization, and mentoring skills I bring to every team.
The greatest reward in coaching is watching athletes gain confidence, overcome challenges, and grow both on and off the court.
Congratulations, Coach Payton and Coach Nimesh, for Winning The 2026 Most Celebrated Coach Award!! Highly deserved!
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GROWING TEAM!
Have a love for the game you want to share?
Are you passionate about making a positive impact on young athletes?
Coach with us.
Join our awesome crew and be part of an outstanding culture.
OPEN POSITIONS
SELECT CLUB:
14U Head Coach
12U, 13U, 14U Assistants
POWER LEAGUE & FLEX:
Head Coaches and Assistant Coaches
for both 9-12U and 13-16U athletes
My name is Nimesh Bhakta. I have been coaching volleyball since 2020, working with recreational and Power League athletes ranging from 9U to 12U. Over the past five years, I have served as Head Coach for numerous teams with a wide range of skill levels. Throughout that time, I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside many assistant coaches, learning from each other and growing together as coaches.
I played volleyball all four years of high school, including my final three years on the Varsity team. After graduating, I moved to Missouri and continued playing recreational volleyball. As my children became involved in the sport, I discovered a passion for coaching. I began coaching their teams, including coaching my son’s team for several years @ Thunderbolt, and that passion has continued to grow ever since.
My coaching philosophy isn’t centered on winning—it’s centered on building a strong foundation. I believe in teaching the fundamentals correctly and developing each athlete one step at a time. While I certainly celebrate victories with my teams, my greatest joy comes from watching players consistently execute the skills they’ve worked so hard to master and seeing their confidence grow. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of coaching many athletes who have gone on to succeed in club and high school volleyball. Hearing former players and their parents come back to thank me for helping prepare them for that next level means far more to me than any medals or championships we’ve earned over the years.
Beyond teaching volleyball, I strive to help athletes develop qualities that will serve them throughout life. I emphasize respect, accountability, teamwork, and a positive attitude both on and off the court. I encourage my players to compete with confidence, play with purpose and strategy, and always make those around them feel welcomed, valued, and better because they were part of the team. My goal is to develop not only better volleyball players, but better teammates and better people.
One of the most rewarding parts of coaching is staying in touch with former athletes and their families. Hearing about their continued success and knowing that their time with Thunderbolt Volleyball helped shape their confidence, skills, and love for the game reminds me why I coach. Those lasting relationships and the impact made during practices, games, and tournaments are what make this journey so meaningful
My name is Jason Stringfellow. I have been coaching kids’ sports for about 12 years. Of those, 2 have been with the Thunderbolts. I was an assistant for one and am going into my 2nd year now as a head coach. I grew up playing baseball, basketball, soccer, and volleyball. In high school, I participated in cross country, soccer, and track. Specifically, in volleyball, I did indoor and sand, primarily being a front-row player.
As a coach, my style is energetic and very technical. I want my players to have the proper basics and correct movements. I strive to get them to develop their mental game and learn to read the court and opposing team movements. I look forward to working with your players!
My name is Keyonna Blake, and I am honored to serve as the coach of the Thunderbolt Power League Volleyball Team.
My volleyball journey began in high school, where I entered the sport with limited experience but quickly developed into a versatile and competitive player through hard work, determination, and a commitment to learning. I went on to compete in USAV club volleyball with Y.V.I.S.I.O.N. in the Heart of America Region before continuing my volleyball career at the collegiate level. Throughout my playing career, I gained experience as a defensive specialist, hitter, and all-around player, allowing me to understand and appreciate every role on the court.
The coaches who shaped my journey described me as coachable, hardworking, eager to learn, and always ready to practice. They admired my work ethic, curiosity, and determination to never settle for “good enough.” I was known as a player who led by example, inspired teammates to believe they could compete with anyone, and approached the game with grace, humility, and resilience. Those lessons continue to influence how I coach today.
