MEET OUR COACHES
Nikelle Armstead
Head Coach - 11U Prep All Stars
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Coach Armstead brings over 10 years of coaching experience to X-Factor Volleyball, having previously coached with Metro, St. James, NVVA, and West Potomac. Her extensive background across multiple programs has given her a well-rounded perspective on player development and team culture.
A passionate advocate for youth sports, Nikelle strives to create a positive and empowering environment where athletes can grow both on and off the court. Her coaching philosophy encourages players to “be the best you—or work hard to get there.”
Favorite Quote:
“It’s YOUR journey. Learn from your mistakes, but make YOUR mark!”
Abby Campbell
Assistant Head Coach - 14 Orange
Coming Soon
Brian Chang
Head Coach - 16 Orange
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Coach Chang has been involved in volleyball for over two decades, beginning his playing career at age 16 and continuing to compete in competitive leagues and tournaments today. He previously coached with the 16-2 team and is passionate about helping athletes refine their skills and elevate their game.
Brian’s coaching philosophy emphasizes personal growth and discipline, reminding players to “focus on your own progression before hating on others.” He believes in teaching athletes to approach challenges with perspective, recognizing that in sports—and in life—there are no solutions, only trade-offs.
Kelly Cochran
Assistant Head Coach - 15 Black
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I played 3 years HS Volleyball as an outside hitter, winning Districts my Junior year of HS. I played 3 years travel volleyball and attended training camps at Penn State each summer to train as a setter and outside hitter. I was offered to play DIII at several Colleges but decided against playing collegiate volleyball.
I have 5 years of coaching experience (ranging from Elementary Recreation level to Middle School travel level) with a majority of my coaching focused on Middle School. I continue to coach 14U girls volleyball as I enjoy the middle school age and teaching the foundations of volleyball. A majority of players at 14U are new to travel and we focus on mastering skills and building confidence on the court.
Our season will focus on: Rotations/Serve Receive Positions/Utility Player, Skills & Technique & Ball control. My core values in coaching are good sportsmanship, teamwork, and confidence. These values not only improve our team, but are valuable life lessons. We like to work hard and have fun.
Alexus Foreman
Head Coach - 15 Orange
Coming Soon
Ashlee Franklin
Assistant Head Coach - 17U
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Lisa Franklin
Head Coach - 17U
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A former Division III collegiate middle blocker from New Jersey, Coach Lisa led her team in blocks with a career-high 114 during the 1994–95 season. After earning her B.A. in Literature, she served 20 years in the U.S. Army as a Finance Soldier, where her love for volleyball grew into a passion for coaching.
Coach Lisa began working with youth players at Fort Campbell, introducing the game to her three daughters—each of whom went on to compete at the high school, club, and collegiate levels. After retiring from the Army and earning her Master’s in Education (Summa Cum Laude), she began coaching at Garfield Senior High School in Woodbridge, VA, where she has led since 2017.
Now joining X-Factor Volleyball, Coach Lisa brings her intensity, discipline, and deep love for the game. Her focus is on defense, movement, and helping athletes bring out their inner beast—giving 100% effort on and off the court.
Coaching Philosophy:
“The harder you work, the harder it is for you to lose.”
Favorite Motto:
“Beastmode on the court 100%.”
Brad Lacey
Head Coach - 15 Black
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Coach Lacey has 29 years of competitive playing experience both indoors and on the beach. He has coached since 2009 with High Schools & Clubs at all ages and levels. He was the head coach of a NJCAA DII college team(NVCC). Qualifications and training include, CAP I, Gold Medal Square, PC360, Impact and Safe Sport. Coach Lacey retired from the US. Coast Guard in 2014 after serving 30 years on active duty. Coaching Philosophy: Winning should be a result of coaching, not a coaching goal. Our goals are to teach players the proper skills, provide the necessary knowledge, give them the tools and confidence to reach their full potential. If a coach can achieve these goals and properly motivate players, then it is the players who make winning a goal. Coaches can’t want to win more than their players.
Brian Letiellier
Assistant Head Coach - 16 Orange
Coming Soon
Ellen Minnich
Assistant Head Coach - 15 Black
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Coach Ellen brings 15 years of playing experience and 5 years of coaching to X-Factor Volleyball. Known for her dedication and enthusiasm, she helps athletes develop their skills while fostering a positive, growth-focused team environment.
Her coaching philosophy:
"Be the best I can be."
Favorite Motto:
"Nothing worth having comes easy."
Coach Ellen’s love for volleyball drives her commitment to helping players reach their full potential on and off the court.
Rosarin Robinson
Head Coach - 13U
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Rosarin ‘Rose’ Robinson has been playing volleyball since the age of 10. She has been playing competitive club travel volleyball for multiple local volleyball club. She played for her JV high school team when she was in the 8th grade and played all four years of varsity as a setter. She also played DS/Libero as well.
Rosarin will start her coaching career at X-Factor Volleyball as an assistant coach and she will also specialize in being a setter coach as well. She brings a wealth of court and training experience to the team and understands it is the ‘Heart’ that matters and not always the ‘Height’. Rosarin currently plays for the Northern Virginia Community College as a setter.
Rachel Sherman
Assistant Head Coach - 14 Black
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Coach Rachel brings experience as a versatile player—DS, libero, and setter—competing for multiple clubs in Pennsylvania throughout middle and high school. She is passionate about helping young athletes develop both their skills and their mindset, emphasizing growth, communication, and teamwork.
Her coaching philosophy:
"Growth mindset > fixed mindset."
Favorite Motto:
"The mind is everything. What you think, you become."
Coach Rachel loves volleyball for its fun, challenge, and the life lessons it teaches players on and off the court.
Ashaki Shomari
Assistant Head Coach - 15 Orange
Coming Soon
Kumani Shomari
Head Coach - 12U
Coming Soon
Denis Vasquez
Head Coach - 14 Black
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Denis Vasquez was born in Washington, D.C., and has been a proud Arlington native for over 50 years. A lifelong athlete, Denis grew up playing baseball through Little League and high school, and basketball in middle school. In the mid-90s, he discovered his passion for volleyball and has been deeply involved in the sport ever since.
Denis began playing outdoor doubles (2-on-2) volleyball during the summers, competing in tournaments on the weekends, and later transitioned to indoor leagues, where he joined a USAV team. Over time, he developed into a skilled setter — a role he embraced for every team he played with — and went on to enjoy more than 20 years of competitive volleyball.
During the non-club season, Denis dedicates his time to coaching high school volleyball, currently leading the freshman team. This marks his fourth year as a coach, where he continues to share his passion for the game and commitment to developing young athletes.
Coaching Philosophy:
“Work hard for what you want. If you want to be good, practice, practice, practice.”
Diego Veizaga
Assistant Head Coach - 16 Black
Coming Soon
Taylor Witherspoon
Head Coach - 14 Orange
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Sarah Withycombe
Assistant Head Coach - 13U
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Mariah Yaggi
Head Coach - 16 Black
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Mariah "Murr" Yaggi is a California Native that has recently joined the NOVA volleyball scene. She played club volleyball at Chino Ballers in Chino, CA and was a varsity setter for 4 years in High School. As a college athlete, she was utilized as a setter and a serving specialist for Division I college California Baptist University. During her time in college, she coached for 3 years following her girls club team from 15's-17's. She specializes in setting and serving, but is also knowledgeable in all other positions, as well as technique and court etiquette. Once finishing her Bachelor's degree, she completed her Master's in Exercise Science and is pursuing her PHD. In her time outside of college, she captained several D1 league teams in Southern California and hosted weekly open gyms for open play and refining performance. While in Virginia, she plays in different tournaments and participates in several of the area's open gyms- you just might run into her! Some of her outside skills include being a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist as well as having First Aid/CPR, BLS, ALS, and Bloodborne Pathogen certifications.
Coach Murr's philosophy is that it takes equal skill to win and lose gracefully, she is notorious for saying "as long as we did better today than we did yesterday."
X-Factor Trainers
Nadia Bursac
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Carlton Furman
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Support Coaches
Dr. Craig Peppers
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Coming Soon
Dr. Tom Brezinsky
Doctor of Physical Therapy
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Dylan Vallade
PT Assistant
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Mindset Coaches
Miranda Heffelfinger
MA
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Coach Heffelfinger brings a strong background in sports leadership and psychology to X-Factor. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Sports Science with a focus in Sports and Performance Psychology at West Chester University. During her undergraduate years, Miranda studied Psychology while competing as a Division I rugby player at Penn State University, where she served as team captain.
Her athletic career includes representing the U23 USA Mid-Atlantic All-Star team and competing in the 2023 World Rugby 7’s Tournament in Grenada. These experiences have shaped her understanding of high-performance culture, teamwork, and mental toughness.
Miranda’s coaching philosophy focuses on helping athletes compete with heart, play with purpose, and live with gratitude. She is passionate about developing confidence, resilience, and self-awareness in every player she mentors.
Favorite Quote:
“You don’t just turn up and perform. You earn it during the week. And you earn it for the people next to you.” – Siya Kolisi
Rohan Piple
YBRT, YOI
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Coach Piple is a Behavioral Health Specialist and former collegiate champion with a Master’s in Sports Industry Management from Georgetown University. Drawing from his background as both an athlete and researcher, Rohan developed AŠVA - a performance wellness system that helps athletes align mind, body, and emotion for peak performance and lasting personal growth.
He has led global studies on athlete behavioral health, introduced AŠVA protocols across the U.S., Europe, and East Africa, and works extensively in neuromuscular re-education and mental resilience training. His experience includes collaborations with Team Durant, the Washington Nationals Youth Academy, the NCAA, and the Kevin Love Fund.
Rohan’s philosophy centers on harnessing the power of self - helping athletes cultivate emotional awareness, discipline, and balance both on and off the court.
Favorite Quote:
“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.”
Jeremy Rahn
MA, LPC, M.Ed.
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Jeremy Rahn is a mental health counselor and performance coach specialized in working with athletes and high performers. Jeremy is currently the mental performance coach for the Baltimore Orioles in the MLB and the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL. He began his career coaching for the Washington Wizards in the NBA and contributing to the NBA Referees Association. He is a graduate of Boston University, obtaining a master’s degree in mental health counseling with a specialization in sport and performance psychology.
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