Indoor Volleyball

Our volleyball program proudly competes in the prestigious Mission League, showcasing the strength, skill, and dedication of our student-athletes. We are home to three competitive teams: Frosh, JV, and Varsity—a unique distinction that sets our program apart. This structure offers students the opportunity to grow, develop, and compete at every level throughout their high school journey. As a major recruitment highlight, our volleyball program is committed to fostering both athletic excellence and leadership on and off the court.

The NDA athletic department is on an exciting growth trajectory, offering your daughter a broader range of sports and activities to explore. With new additions, we're committed to providing diverse options that cater to various interests and talents.

Facilities:

The teams train and play their games in the Notre Dame Academy gymnasium.

Tryouts/Evaluations:

The Indoor Volleyball program conducts mandatory summer evaluations for all those who would like to participate. Pending skill and experience, you will be placed in the appropriate level to set you up for success. 

Contact:

If you are interested in participating or learning more about the program, please email Director of Athletics, Adam Plax aplax@ndala.com

Coaching Staff:

Head Varsity Coach: Ryan Miller
Program Consultant: Stephanie Voelckers
Head JV Coach: Helen Reale
Program Assistant: Tiara Gibson
JV Assistant Coach: Esther Epstein

Coaches

Ryan Miller, Head Varsity Coach

Ryan Miller serves as Notre Dame Academy’s Head Varsity Volleyball Coach. He brings deep knowledge of the game, calm leadership, and a player-centered coaching style that has made a strong impact on student-athletes across all three levels of the NDA volleyball program. As a full-time faculty member, he builds meaningful connections with students both on and off the court, strengthening the sense of community and support that defines NDA athletics.

Miller’s coaching background includes work with premier clubs such as Coast Volleyball Club, Absolute Volleyball Club, and Surfside Volleyball Club, where he has led boys’ and girls’ teams across a range of age groups. At the high school level, he has served as Head Varsity Coach at Mount Miguel High School and as Assistant Beach Volleyball Coach at Oceanside High School. With experience in both indoor and beach volleyball, Miller leads the NDA varsity program with vision, consistency, and a deep commitment to developing student-athletes.

Stephanie Voelckers, Volleyball Program Consultant

Stephanie Voelckers serves as Notre Dame Academy’s Volleyball Program Consultant. A former outside hitter and MVP at the University of San Francisco, she is also a University of Hartford Volleyball Hall of Fame inductee. Originally from Germany, she competed at the national level with Schweriner Volleyball Club, bringing a unique global perspective to her coaching.

Since relocating to Los Angeles, Voelckers has coached with leading programs including Surfside, Sunshine, and Actyve Volleyball Clubs, as well as Paul Revere Middle School. Her expertise as an elite former collegiate player informs her specialized focus on developing and strengthening athletes in the outside hitter position. Combining advanced techniques, strategic insight, and a passion for athlete growth, she adds depth and vision to the NDA volleyball coaching team.

Helen Reale, Head JV Coach

Helen Reale brings over 18 years of coaching experience and a distinguished playing career to her role as Head Junior Varsity Volleyball Coach and Beach Volleyball Director at Notre Dame Academy. Since joining NDA in 2014, she has led the Frosh/Soph Indoor Volleyball Team with a passion for teaching fundamentals and strategy to developing players. On the sand, she has directed the NDA Beach Volleyball program since 2014, guiding the team to the 2021 Westside Division title and a fourth-place finish in the IBVL Playoffs. Under her leadership, NDA’s Varsity beach pairs earned Gold and Silver medals in the 2021 IBVL Pairs Championships.

Coach Helen’s coaching résumé includes extensive club and school experience. She has coached for Club Troy, Oaks Volleyball Club, and Culver City Volleyball Club, leading 14s and 16s teams and helping guide the Culver City 16s to the finals of the SCVA Soiree in 2010. She spent nine years coaching all levels of indoor volleyball at St. Martin of Tours School in Brentwood, where she also served as Head Varsity Coach from 2003–2011. Beyond NDA and club programs, she has coached at Crescent Beach Volleyball Club, served as Assistant Beach Volleyball Coach at Pierce College, managed Sinjin Smith and Randy Stoklos’ Beach Volleyball Camp at Will Rogers State Beach, and operated her own summer beach volleyball camps for more than a decade. She continues to run summer skills camps with Oaks Volleyball Club Director Carrie Wright for athletes ages 8–16.

As a player, Reale captained the Columbia University Varsity Volleyball team and competed with Paine Webber Volleyball Club, earning a fifth-place finish at Nationals. Her beach volleyball career spans over 20 years, highlighted by a top-ten ranking on the AVP Tour, a top-five finish on the WPVA Tour, and victories at prestigious events including the Jose Cuervo Tournaments in Honolulu and Point Pleasant, as well as back-to-back California State Championship Cal Cup titles in Manhattan Beach. She won a televised EVP Tour stop in Hermosa Beach, participated in the AVP’s Top 12 Team Tournament in Las Vegas, and has helped her Masters Team win the Manhattan Beach Surf Festival Six-Man Tournament four of the past five years. She still competes in CBVA tournaments when her schedule allows.

With her depth of experience, competitive success, and dedication to athlete development, Helen Reale continues to be a cornerstone of NDA volleyball—fostering growth, teamwork, and a love for the game in every player she coaches.

Tiara Gibson, Volleyball Program Assistant

Tiara Gibson serves as Assistant Athletic Director, Assistant Volleyball Coach, and Strength and Conditioning Coach at Notre Dame Academy. A former NCAA Division I athlete, she competed as a middle blocker for Louisiana State University (2015–2016), developing high-level competitive skills in one of the nation’s premier conferences.

In her role as Assistant Athletic Director, Gibson helps oversee program development, athlete welfare, and the growth of NDA’s athletic community. On the volleyball court, she focuses on developing and strengthening middle blockers, combining technical expertise with tailored strength and conditioning programs that enhance endurance, power, agility, and injury prevention.

Her holistic approach fosters mental toughness, leadership, and discipline, preparing student-athletes to succeed both on and off the court. Gibson’s dedication to the Regals extends beyond individual sports, emphasizing a strong and supportive athletic culture throughout NDA.