A.J. and Michelle Malis are the directors of Zona and run all aspects of the club.
A.J. Malis is a Tucson native who graduated from Sahuaro High School. He attended Arizona State University for one year as a part of the Leadership Scholarship Program, and then transferred to the University of Arizona where he earned a BA in Education (major in chemistry and minor in math/physics).
Although boy's volleyball was not a sponsored school sport when A.J. was in school, he began playing in area leagues in middle school. A.J.'s volleyball coaching career began at Sahuaro High School. During his high school years, he was a manager for the varsity program. While at ASU, A.J. coached a 4th-6th grade team in Scottsdale. Upon his return to Tucson, A.J. got involved with club volleyball (Southern Arizona Juniors) and local junior high and high school programs. In 1991, A.J. co-founded Club Cactus Juniors, with whom he coached for 5 seasons. In the fall of 1995, A.J. served as the volunteer assistant at the University of Arizona. That same year in October, A.J. and Michelle started Zona. In the fall of 1998, A.J. took over the program at Salpointe Catholic and was named Southern Arizona 5A Coach of the Year. In spring of 2000, A.J. was named an assistant coach at the University of Arizona. During his three seasons with the Wildcats, A.J. was a part of the staff of teams that won the PAC-10 Championship in 2000, went to the Final Four in 2001, and had the three best volleyball seasons in school history. During the 2006 and 2007 club seasons, A.J.'s U18 teams qualified for Junior Nationals. This was the first time a team from Southern Arizona ever qualified since the bid system was enacted. A.J. was the varsity head coach at Catalina Foothills High School for 2007-2009 high school seasons. A.J. took over the Sabino High School varsity program in 2010.
A.J. was selected to coach the Arizona High Performance Girls National Select teams in both 2008 and 2009. During the summer of 2010, A.J. was a head coach for the USA Volleyball High Performance Continental Select program.
A.J. has earned CAP II certification through USA Volleyball. In addition, A.J. is a certified IMPACT instructor. All coaches in the region must have IMPACT certification to coach.
Michelle Malis grew up in Tucson and attended Sahuaro High School. Michelle was a 4-year varsity starter for Sahuaro and played club volleyball for the now defunct Southern Arizona Juniors.
Michelle earned a scholarship to play volleyball at the University of Arizona (1990-1993). She was named to the All PAC 10 Academic 2nd team in 1991 and All PAC 10 Academic 1st team in 1992 and 1993. Michelle was a GTE Academic All-American in 1993. Michelle graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS in Agriculture (Nutrition and Dietetics). In 1996, Michelle was one of sixteen athletes in the nation to be awarded the NCAA Women’s Enhancement Post Graduate Scholarship. She graduated in August 1997 with a Master’s Degree in Sports Administration.
During the spring of 1993 and 1994, Michelle coached for Club Cactus. In the fall of 1994, Michelle was an assistant coach at California State University at Bakersfield. The team finished 2nd in the NCAA Division II Championship. Upon returning back to Tucson in the spring of 1995, Michelle again coached club. In the fall of 1995, Michelle took over the volleyball program at Palo Verde High School and was the varsity coach there through the 2001 season.
Board Members
The members of the Zona Volleyball Club board of directors are: Richard Bartsch Tassi Call Ken James Michelle Malis David Williams
2011 Coaching Staff
This area is being updated as our staff submits their bios. Coaches are listed in alphabetical order.
Rachel Balsiger
Rachel Balsiger is a Tucson native who graduated from Sahuaro High School in 2001. During her high school years she played 4 years of volleyball for Sahuaro, as well as 3 years for Zona Volleyball Club. After high school, Rachel earned a volleyball scholarship to Pima Community College (2001-2003). She was named Academic All-American and graduated with High Honors with an Associate of Liberal Arts Degree in 2003. After getting married in 2004, Rachel moved to Oklahoma for a year where she received a volleyball scholarship to Cameron University. Rachel returned to Tucson in 2005 and finished out her schooling at the University of Arizona where she received an award for Highest Academic Distinction and was named to the Dean’s Honorable Mention List. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BA in Elementary Education in December of 2007. Rachel currently teaches kindergarten in the Vail School District.
After her time playing at Zona, Rachel continued her involvement with the club as a coach (2001). In 2005, she also began coaching at Sahuaro High School where she coached for 3 years.
Casey Brown
Casey is a Tucson native who has been playing volleyball for seven years, five of those years she played for Zona volleyball club. She graduated from Cienega High School in 2009. Casey was a four-year varsity starter for her volleyball team as a setter as well as boy’s volleyball manager for her junior and senior year. Outside of athletics, Casey was a member of the National Honors Society chapter at her school from 2006 to 2009 and during the 2008-2009 school year she was president for her club.
During her high school career Casey was very involved with volleyball so instead of playing her senior year for Zona she decided to coach to gain a new perspective of the game volleyball.
Currently Casey is attending the University of Arizona on an academic scholarship and is studying business. This is her first year as the head coach for the girls volleyball program at St. Michael’s Parish Day School.
Marc Burris
I am Marc Burris and I was born in New Jersey. I moved to Tucson when I was 4 and have lived here ever since. I graduated from Palo Verde High School, where I played on the boy's varsity volleyball team. Currently, I attend Pima College, studying psychology. I plan to transfer to the U of A next year.
I am an assistant coach at Palo Verde high school and have been doing that for 2 years. This is my third season with Zona. I love coaching; I find it so much fun and learn something each year. I greatly look foward to this season.
Casey Chapman
KC Clayton
Amanda Daly
Bre Davison
Bre Davison is a Tucson native who graduated from Sabino High School in 2007. She played volleyball all four years at Sabino, three of which were on varsity, and was named All-State honorable mention her senior year. Outside of volleyball, she served as student body treasurer and Key Club president. Bre played six years for Zona Volleyball Club and was a starting middle blocker on the 2006 and 2007 teams that qualified for the Junior Olympics. She also served as team captain of the 2007 team.
Bre attends Pima Community College on a volleyball scholarship and anticipates a December 2009 graduation with an Associate in General Studies Degree. She will be transferring to the University of Arizona in January 2010 and plans to major in Elementary Education. This will be her third season as a coach for Zona.
Mike Doyle
Matt Dyck
Wendy Escarcega-Parra
Wendy Escarcega-Parra was born in Sierra Vista, Az and moved to Tucson when she was 10 years old. Wendy attended high school at Sahuaro High School until the middle of her junior year. Wendy moved to Rockford, Ill, where she finished her junior year of high school. She then moved further south to Champaign, Ill, where she finished her senior year at Mahomet-Seymour high school.
Wendy received a volleyball scholarship at National Louis University in Evanston, Ill. (1990-1992). Wendy played one year and was recognized as Rookie of the Year for the conference and was an All-American honorable mention. Wendy then transferred to College of St. Francis (1992-1995) and played there until she graduated and received her degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Psychology.
Wendy moved back to Tucson 13 years later. She was interested in coaching volleyball and contacted Michelle and AJ, who were both high school friends. Wendy started coaching for Zona in 2001 and she has been with them ever since. Wendy was named the varsity volleyball coach at Palo Verde high school in 2002.
Wendy is married to to her wonderful husband of 9 years Hector Parra (AKA Hueso).
Jennifer Fordney
Kristy Friesen
Kristy Friesen will be coaching her first year with Zona this season. She was captain for seven years for her Club Zia volleyball team. She was the starting setter for Ironwood High School as a sophomore and lead her team to the State Championship two years in a row, earning the title 5A State Champions in 2007. She currently holds multiple school records including: Most Assists in a Match (55) in 2007, and Most Assists in a Season (1102) in 2006. She also received the Scholar-Athlete Award in 2007, 110% Award in 2007 and 2006, 2nd Team All Region in 2007 and 2006, and Player of the Week Arizona Republic 2006. She was the assistant coach for Desert Valley Elementary School last year. She teaches swim lessons and coaches swim team for the City of Glendale during the summer. She is a freshman at the University of Arizona and is majoring in Philosophy. She plans to join the Peace Corps after graduation.
Emily Gregg
I am Emily Gregg and this is my first year coaching with Zona. This was also my first year coaching girls volleyball at Tucson High School. I was born and raised in Tucson. I played for Zona for 4 years and played at Sabino High School. I am now a sophomore at the University of Arizona where I plan on majoring in psychology. This is also my 2nd year playing for the UA's club volleyball team.
Katie Gwozdz
Hi! I am Katie Gwozdz and this will be my 4th season coaching with Zona. I was born and raised in Tucson and I am now a senior at the University of Arizona. I am majoring in Elementary Education and I can't wait to start teaching 3rd or 4th grade in August! I have played volleyball since I was 13 at Magee Middle School, Sabino High School, and Zona. I have coached at Esperero Canyon Middle School for the past 3 years. I have learned a lot since I began coaching and I look forward to learning even more this season!
Samantha Krenzer
Samantha Krenzer is a new coach to the Zona Volleyball Program, although she was a player of the program for three years! She attended Sabino High School and played volleyball there for four years. She started her coaching career at Sabino High School, as well. She has coached the freshman team there for the past two seasons. She also coaches at Esperero Middle School for the 7th grade team! Samantha is a sophomore at the University of Arizona and is majoring in education with a minor in spanish. She hopes to become a 5th grade teacher and continue coaching!
Emily Lentz
Matt Malone
Matt Malone is a native of Southern California. He attended Long Beach State, where he played with the team that won the NCAA title in 1991. He attended UCLA, where he was on the volleyball and track teams, and received his BS degree in Psychobiology.
Matt started playing volleyball his sophomore year at Marina High School in Huntington Beach, California. He was a State Finalist in the long jump, and initially went to UCLA to do track. He joined the volleyball team his freshman year, and played on the team for two years before transferring to Long Beach State. Matt returned to UCLA to get his degree. During his second year of college, Matt started his coaching career with Marymount High School in LA, where he coached the JV team. He also started his personal training career two years later. Since then, Matt has coached boys and girls club, boys and girls varsity and been a men’s assistant coach at Golden West Junior College in Huntington Beach. He has lived and coached in California, Idaho and Arizona. His teams have won their league 3 times, qualified for state (CA and ID) 2 times, and while coaching for Asics Nova 18’s (CA) finished 9th at the Junior Nationals. Matt also earned his AAA beach ranking at the ripe age of 31 in 2001, but had children instead of a beach volleyball career. He has coached since 1988, and been a personal trainer since 1991.
Besides volleyball, Matt specializes in rehabilitation as a personal trainer, but also works with athletes to improve athletic performance at Select Fitness in north Tucson. He moved to Sahuarita in the summer of 2007, and has coached for Zona since 2008, and was an assistant coach at Empire High School in 2008. He and his wife Karen have twins, Kelly and Kyle who are 7 years old. He also coaches the teams Kyle and Kelly are on, such as soccer, basketball, baseball and whatever else they want to play.
Ryan Mitchell
Tara Olding
Tara Miller grew up in Tucson and graduated from Santa Rita High School. She was a 3-year varsity starter for Santa Rita and played club volleyball for Club Cactus and then for Zona Volleyball Club. Tara earned a scholarship to play volleyball at Western State College of Colorado, a division II program. She was named All-American 2nd team her junior year and All-American 1st team her senior year. She was inducted into the Western State Hall of Fame in 2006. This past July she was honored as one of 12 volleyball players selected to the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference All-Century Team.
Tara graduated from Western State w/a BS in Business Administration.
Tara was the head volleyball coach for University of Colorado-Colorado Springs for the 2002-2003 seasons. Upon moving back to Tucson, Tara has coached the JV girls volleyball team at Catalina Foothills since 2007, and helped with the Sabino boys volleyball team. She has also coached for Zona since 2007.
Levi Quesada
Alysha Ramirez
Breanna Sherrow
Breanna is a Tucson native who graduated from Mountain View (Marana) High School. She attended the University of Arizona and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences Education. Breanna is currently pursuing her Master of Arts at the University of Arizona in Educational Psychology and is also a graduate assistant. Once she gets her Masters she hopes to pursue her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology.
Breanna played volleyball in high school for Mountain View (Marana) as a defensive specialist, setter, and libero. She is a former Zona Volleyball Club player where she played as a setter for four years. Breanna ran the volleyball camps for the Northwest YMCA the summers of 2006, 2007 and 2008. In 2006 Breanna was a volunteer volleyball coach for Mountain View (Marana) High School. In 2007 she was the Mountain View Boy’s Varsity Assistant Volleyball Coach as well as the Girl’s Junior Varsity Volleyball Head Coach. Breanna coached the Junior Varsity Boy’s Volleyball team at Canyon Del Oro in the last 2009 season. She has been coaching boy’s middle school volleyball since November 2007 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School as well as the girls since November 2008. Last June 2009 Breanna traveled to Dallas, Texas to attend a weekend long coaching accreditation program to become a USAV CAP Level I certified volleyball coach. Breanna will be returning to coach with Zona for her second year but has helped out at past club evaluations. She absolutely loves coaching volleyball and enjoys teaching the fundamentals and competitive skills needed to succeed in volleyball. Breanna believes that winning is not everything but the important aspect is getting a team to strive to win and try their best. She is also a firm believer in student-athletes.
Dave Spier
David Thistle
Whitney Thistle
Whitney Thistle was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, and attended Ironwood High School in Glendale Arizona. There she played 4 years of volleyball as well as 4 years of club during the off season for Zia Athletic Club. She was also involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Young Life.
After high school, Whitney attended SMCC on a volleyball scholarship where she began studying psychology. In October of 2002 she suffered a career ending knee injury which required extensive rehabilitation. She finished out her freshman year of college at GCC so she could focus on rehab and be close to home.
Whitney moved to the great city of Tucson in the fall of 2003 to enroll as a sophomore at the University of Arizona. She had been out of the volleyball gym for quite sometime and luckily was linked up with Club Cactus Volleyball where she began coaching in 2003. She has coached the following age groups with Club Cactus Volleyballl; 12s, 14s, and the Training Team (coed ages 7-13).
After graduating from the University of Arizona in December of 2006 with a Bachelors in Psychology and Family Studies and Human Development, Whitney began teaching in the TUSD and Amphitheater school districts. She is currently an exceptional education teacher at Pistor Middle School and is enrolled in Pima CC’s post degree teacher education program.
Whitney was the Head Boys Volleyball Coach at Ironwood Ridge High School for the 06-07 and 07-08 seasons, and was also a vasity assistant for the Ironwood Ridge High School Girls Volleyball Program during that time.
Whitney and David Thistle were married in 2008 and had their first child “little David” in March of 2009. She is thrilled to get back to coaching after her time off and is very excited for the upcoming season with Zona.
Kyra Thompson
David Williams
David Williams is a native of Tucson and has been involved in volleyball for over 20 years in various capacities. David's first experience in volleyball came as a manager for the University of Arizona women's volleyball team. His coaching career began that same season when the U of A assistant coaches asked him to coach in their club. David has coached for three club volleyball organizations: Southern Arizona Juniors, Club Cactus Juniors, and Zona Volleyball Club. He has worked with athletes at all age levels, from 12's to 18's. David has also coached at the high school level at Desert Christian, Amphi, and Catalina High School. The last four years he has coached the girls volleyball team at Townsend Middle School.
Nicole Wolf
Nicole Wolf is a new coach to Zona this year. She is a sophomore at the University of Arizona, where she is majoring in Speech and Hearing Science. She started playing volleyball in 6th grade at Arizona Foothills Volleyball Club where she continued to play for five years and then finished off her volleyball career at Arizona East Valley Juniors. Nicole played two years of varsity volleyball at Desert Vista High School in Phoenix , Arizona where she was the varsity captain her senior year. She coached a 12s team at AZ Rock Volleyball Club before moving to Tucson for college. She is very excited to be a part of Zona Volleyball this season.
