COLAVOL Coaches
Chris Akers
Club Owner/Director
Chris Akers founded COLAVOL, which stands for “Columbus Area Volleyball”, in 2006. In addition to serving as COLAVOL’s Club Director, Akers has coached at two local high schools, Calvary Christian School and Columbus High School. During his tenure at Calvary, the team he coached won a state championship and four straight region championships. While at Columbus High, Akers led the Lady Blue Devils to three area championships, two Elite Eight appearances and a Final Four appearance in the state playoffs. The Blue Devils won the State Championship in 2007. Under his leadership, the Columbus High volleyball program produced 17 All Bi-City players, three Area Players of the Year, and an All-State Top 25 Senior Awardee.
Akers is a USA Volleyball certified instructor with 15 years of indoor and outdoor playing experience. He has coached COLAVOL teams to earn four regional championships, including two power level (2019 15s and 2018 16s). In 2022, his COLAVOL 13s team finished in the top 5 at the AAU Classic National Championships, followed by a top 20 finish as a 14s team in the Aspire division and a No. 5 ranking as 15s the Southern Region.
Club Owner/Director
Chris Akers founded COLAVOL, which stands for “Columbus Area Volleyball”, in 2006. In addition to serving as COLAVOL’s Club Director, Akers has coached at two local high schools, Calvary Christian School and Columbus High School. During his tenure at Calvary, the team he coached won a state championship and four straight region championships. While at Columbus High, Akers led the Lady Blue Devils to three area championships, two Elite Eight appearances and a Final Four appearance in the state playoffs. The Blue Devils won the State Championship in 2007. Under his leadership, the Columbus High volleyball program produced 17 All Bi-City players, three Area Players of the Year, and an All-State Top 25 Senior Awardee.
Akers is a USA Volleyball certified instructor with 15 years of indoor and outdoor playing experience. He has coached COLAVOL teams to earn four regional championships, including two power level (2019 15s and 2018 16s). In 2022, his COLAVOL 13s team finished in the top 5 at the AAU Classic National Championships, followed by a top 20 finish as a 14s team in the Aspire division and a No. 5 ranking as 15s the Southern Region.
McKenzie Robinson
McKenzie (Mack) Robinson started playing volleyball on an intramural team at the age of 8 at Calvary Christian School. She immediately fell in love with the sport. When she was 12, she joined COLAVOL, which was Columbus Juniors back then and was part of the club’s very first team. The 15s team went on to win SRVA Regionals their very first year of playing club. After that season Robinson was asked as an 8th grader to try out for varsity. She was the very first middle schooler to make varsity at her school. She had a stellar high school career which included All State & All Region 9th-12th grades, All-Bi-City first team 10th-12th grades, and a record high of over 1,500 kills. Her high school volleyball jersey was retired.
Post high school, Robinson went to a small college in Macon where she won many awards including runner-up freshman of the year for the NCAA Great South Atlantic Conference. The next year Columbus State University started a volleyball program and Robinson transferred back home to play the sport she loves.
Robinson began coaching for both Calvary Christian School and COLAVOL in 2014. She coached at Calvary for a total of six years, working with JV and varsity players.
McKenzie (Mack) Robinson started playing volleyball on an intramural team at the age of 8 at Calvary Christian School. She immediately fell in love with the sport. When she was 12, she joined COLAVOL, which was Columbus Juniors back then and was part of the club’s very first team. The 15s team went on to win SRVA Regionals their very first year of playing club. After that season Robinson was asked as an 8th grader to try out for varsity. She was the very first middle schooler to make varsity at her school. She had a stellar high school career which included All State & All Region 9th-12th grades, All-Bi-City first team 10th-12th grades, and a record high of over 1,500 kills. Her high school volleyball jersey was retired.
Post high school, Robinson went to a small college in Macon where she won many awards including runner-up freshman of the year for the NCAA Great South Atlantic Conference. The next year Columbus State University started a volleyball program and Robinson transferred back home to play the sport she loves.
Robinson began coaching for both Calvary Christian School and COLAVOL in 2014. She coached at Calvary for a total of six years, working with JV and varsity players.
Kendra Henthorn
Kendra Henthorn brings years of playing and coaching experience to the court. She played for Northside High School, COLAVOL 15U–18U (2014–2017), and the Columbus State University club team (2018–2020) before transitioning into coaching. She has been coaching with COLAVOL since January 2021, leading teams to major accomplishments including the 2025 SRVA 13U Club Division Region Championship, a 5th‑place finish at AAU Nationals, and 15+ first‑place tournament wins across 12U–17U teams. For the 2025 season, she served as Head Coach for 14C and Assistant Coach for 15C.
In addition to club coaching, she has been with Calvary Middle School since 2022 and became the Calvary High School head coach in 2025, guiding the program to three GAPPS state championships and a GIAA 5th‑place state finish in her first varsity season.
Kendra Henthorn brings years of playing and coaching experience to the court. She played for Northside High School, COLAVOL 15U–18U (2014–2017), and the Columbus State University club team (2018–2020) before transitioning into coaching. She has been coaching with COLAVOL since January 2021, leading teams to major accomplishments including the 2025 SRVA 13U Club Division Region Championship, a 5th‑place finish at AAU Nationals, and 15+ first‑place tournament wins across 12U–17U teams. For the 2025 season, she served as Head Coach for 14C and Assistant Coach for 15C.
In addition to club coaching, she has been with Calvary Middle School since 2022 and became the Calvary High School head coach in 2025, guiding the program to three GAPPS state championships and a GIAA 5th‑place state finish in her first varsity season.
Landee Clifton
Landee Clifton played volleyball for 10 years, including 2 years at the collegiate level, and have been coaching with COLAVOL for the past 3 years, primarily working with 12s and 13s teams. She enjoys helping young athletes build their skills, confidence, and love for the game. Outside of volleyball, She is currently in school studying to become a middle school English Language Arts (ELA) teacher and is passionate about working with and mentoring students both in the classroom and on the court.
Landee Clifton played volleyball for 10 years, including 2 years at the collegiate level, and have been coaching with COLAVOL for the past 3 years, primarily working with 12s and 13s teams. She enjoys helping young athletes build their skills, confidence, and love for the game. Outside of volleyball, She is currently in school studying to become a middle school English Language Arts (ELA) teacher and is passionate about working with and mentoring students both in the classroom and on the court.
Kaylee Rose
Kaylee Rose is beginning her second season at COLAVOL. A Phenix City, Alabama native, she played volleyball at Central High School and was team MVP her senior year. She played at Andrew Junior College before transferring to South Carolina State University. She still plays and competes in adult-level leagues and indoor and outdoor tournaments. Rose coached volleyball at Shaw High School in 2023. She also earned a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Columbus State University.
Kaylee Rose is beginning her second season at COLAVOL. A Phenix City, Alabama native, she played volleyball at Central High School and was team MVP her senior year. She played at Andrew Junior College before transferring to South Carolina State University. She still plays and competes in adult-level leagues and indoor and outdoor tournaments. Rose coached volleyball at Shaw High School in 2023. She also earned a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Columbus State University.
Emily Kacik
Emily Kacik has been involved in volleyball for 15 years. Originally from Palmdale, California, she relocated to Columbus, Georgia, in 2022. Following high school, Emily competed in both indoor and beach volleyball at Antelope Valley Community College. While her primary positions were middle and right-side hitter, she adapted her skillset to excel in passing and defense following a shoulder injury.
With over 13 years of experience coaching travel volleyball for age groups 14U–17U, Emily is now entering her fourth season with COLAVOL. "I enjoy sharing my love for the game with young athletes," says Emily. "My goal as a coach is to serve as a positive role model on and off the court, helping these athletes grow into exceptional players and individuals."
Emily Kacik has been involved in volleyball for 15 years. Originally from Palmdale, California, she relocated to Columbus, Georgia, in 2022. Following high school, Emily competed in both indoor and beach volleyball at Antelope Valley Community College. While her primary positions were middle and right-side hitter, she adapted her skillset to excel in passing and defense following a shoulder injury.
With over 13 years of experience coaching travel volleyball for age groups 14U–17U, Emily is now entering her fourth season with COLAVOL. "I enjoy sharing my love for the game with young athletes," says Emily. "My goal as a coach is to serve as a positive role model on and off the court, helping these athletes grow into exceptional players and individuals."
Sara Bullock
Sara Bullock played volleyball for six years as a libero/defensive specialist before stepping into coaching, beginning with one year of community coaching at Harris County High School. Sara joined COLAVOL last season, where she served as the assistant coach for the 12 Black and 13 Carolina teams. She is now entering her second year with COLAVOL, continuing to build on her commitment to developing young athletes with confidence, skill, and love for the game. She graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science.
Sara Bullock played volleyball for six years as a libero/defensive specialist before stepping into coaching, beginning with one year of community coaching at Harris County High School. Sara joined COLAVOL last season, where she served as the assistant coach for the 12 Black and 13 Carolina teams. She is now entering her second year with COLAVOL, continuing to build on her commitment to developing young athletes with confidence, skill, and love for the game. She graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science.
Beth Wilson
Beth Wilson played four years of high school volleyball in Michigan before continuing her career at the University of Michigan–Dearborn, where she competed for four years on the NAIA volleyball team. She moved to Phenix City, Alabama in 2003 and began working within the Phenix City School System.
Beth became involved with COLAVOL when her daughter, Emma, turned 11. She assisted coaches in summer camps, limited travel, and full travel programs, building experience across multiple age groups. As Emma entered junior high, Beth began assisting with her middle school team, and later joined Central High School, where she coached alongside Coach Lindsey from 2018–2025.
Beth Wilson played four years of high school volleyball in Michigan before continuing her career at the University of Michigan–Dearborn, where she competed for four years on the NAIA volleyball team. She moved to Phenix City, Alabama in 2003 and began working within the Phenix City School System.
Beth became involved with COLAVOL when her daughter, Emma, turned 11. She assisted coaches in summer camps, limited travel, and full travel programs, building experience across multiple age groups. As Emma entered junior high, Beth began assisting with her middle school team, and later joined Central High School, where she coached alongside Coach Lindsey from 2018–2025.
Kitrina Bush
Kitrina (Kit) Bush began her coaching journey with COLAVOL in 2025 and is excited to return to the program. She also coaches middle school volleyball at Calvary Christian School, continuing her long‑standing connection to the sport.
Her volleyball career began at Calvary Christian School in 6th grade, where she played middle school, JV, and varsity before transferring to Columbus High School her sophomore year. There, she excelled as a setter and libero, earning the honor of All‑Bi‑City Player of the Year in 2006. Her dedication and performance on the court led to both an academic and volleyball scholarship to Converse College in 2007.
Kitrina (Kit) Bush began her coaching journey with COLAVOL in 2025 and is excited to return to the program. She also coaches middle school volleyball at Calvary Christian School, continuing her long‑standing connection to the sport.
Her volleyball career began at Calvary Christian School in 6th grade, where she played middle school, JV, and varsity before transferring to Columbus High School her sophomore year. There, she excelled as a setter and libero, earning the honor of All‑Bi‑City Player of the Year in 2006. Her dedication and performance on the court led to both an academic and volleyball scholarship to Converse College in 2007.
Taylor O'Neal
Taylor O’Neal has been involved in volleyball for over 14 years, including 10 years of competitive play and four years of coaching experience. Volleyball has been a defining part of her life, and she is passionate about helping athletes grow both on and off the court.
Taylor has been coaching with COLAVOL for one year, and during the most recent season she had the privilege of leading the 14 Carolina team. Her coaching philosophy emphasizes skill development, teamwork, confidence, sportsmanship, and creating a positive environment where athletes can reach their full potential while developing a genuine love for the game.
Taylor O’Neal has been involved in volleyball for over 14 years, including 10 years of competitive play and four years of coaching experience. Volleyball has been a defining part of her life, and she is passionate about helping athletes grow both on and off the court.
Taylor has been coaching with COLAVOL for one year, and during the most recent season she had the privilege of leading the 14 Carolina team. Her coaching philosophy emphasizes skill development, teamwork, confidence, sportsmanship, and creating a positive environment where athletes can reach their full potential while developing a genuine love for the game.
Kierra Macon
Kierra Macon has eight years of volleyball experience, including six seasons with COLAVOL and four years competing for Harris County High School. Kierra is currently a nursing student at Columbus State University and is entering her first year coaching with COLAVOL, where she brings enthusiasm, knowledge, and a strong connection to the program she grew up in.
Kierra Macon has eight years of volleyball experience, including six seasons with COLAVOL and four years competing for Harris County High School. Kierra is currently a nursing student at Columbus State University and is entering her first year coaching with COLAVOL, where she brings enthusiasm, knowledge, and a strong connection to the program she grew up in.
Shelly Stumpff
Shelly Stumpff recently finished her third season with COLAVOL, coaching at the 14, 15, and 16 age groups. She previously spent seven seasons as an Assistant Coach at the University of South Dakota, helping lead the program to multiple conference championships, NCAA Tournament appearances, and record‑setting seasons.
As a player, she competed for Wingate University, graduating Magna Cum Laude and earning numerous honors, including South Atlantic Conference Player of the Year, Academic All‑American, and AVCA All‑Region recognition. Her background as both a high‑level athlete and collegiate coach shapes her commitment to developing strong fundamentals, competitive drive, and a love for the game.
Shelly Stumpff recently finished her third season with COLAVOL, coaching at the 14, 15, and 16 age groups. She previously spent seven seasons as an Assistant Coach at the University of South Dakota, helping lead the program to multiple conference championships, NCAA Tournament appearances, and record‑setting seasons.
As a player, she competed for Wingate University, graduating Magna Cum Laude and earning numerous honors, including South Atlantic Conference Player of the Year, Academic All‑American, and AVCA All‑Region recognition. Her background as both a high‑level athlete and collegiate coach shapes her commitment to developing strong fundamentals, competitive drive, and a love for the game.
