Meet our 2026-27 Coaches
Shockwave prides itself in it's coaching staff and the level of experience we are able to provide our athletes. Our satisfaction comes from helping your athlete reach their highest potential. If you're interested in joining our coaching staff, visit our jobs page.
Technical Director
Vishnu Persaud
Vishnu joins the Shockwave staff as its Techinical Director, having previously coached with several clubs in Toronto as well as with the OVA's regional program, Ontario Summer Games, and Volleyball Canada's Centre of Excellence. He has over 20 years of coaching experience and has coached over 60 indoor teams. Vishnu is an NCCP performance (level 3) trained coach who follows the models set forth by the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) using double goal coaching to teach life lessons through sport. Using their techniques, he encourages and motivates his athletes to perform their best. Vishnu is one of only 15 certified advanced development coach evaluators in Ontario.
13U (6v6) Girls Head Coach
Mark Habib
Mark has been teaching Phys. Ed. for last 8 years at a school in Toronto where he also coaches volleyball. He grew up playing many sports, including volleyball and enjoys teaching/coaching all his students. He believes that through sports, we can teach students to build good character, so they can continue to grow and become successful members in our society. Mark is excited to be part of the Shockwave organization and begin a new journey in coaching.
13U (6v6) Girls Head Coach
Téa Lepine
Coach Téa brings several years of high-level competitive volleyball experience into her role as a head coach. Now in her second year of coaching at Shockwave, she is passionate about helping young athletes grow both on and off the court. She strives to creates a fun, positive, and high-energy environment where players can build confidence, develop strong fundamentals, and improve their skills every time they step on the court. Coach Téa focuses on teamwork, encouragement, and supportive communication, while also challenging her athletes to push themselves, compete, and reach their full potential.
TLS (14U)/16U Girls Head Coach
Caetano Weisenblum
Coach Cae brings a wealth of experience and passion from his extensive playing career to the club. With a background that includes club volleyball and competing on the varsity team at George Brown. Caetano has a deep understanding of the game from both a player and a coach perspective. Now in his third year coaching in the OVA, he excels at mentoring athletes, whether they're just starting out or looking to polish their advanced skills. Caetano's coaching philosophy centres around fostering a strong sense of self-respect, integrity, and perseverance within his team. He aims to create an encouraging and inclusive environment where every player feels valued and motivated to improve. By focusing on both technical volleyball skills and personal growth, Caetano prepares his players to succeed not only on the court but in all areas of life.
TLS (14U)/16U Girls Head Coach
Heart Fortuno
Heart’s passion for volleyball has grown into something far greater than just a sport—it became a defining part of who she is. Over nearly three years in the OVA and one year of varsity volleyball with the Seneca Sting, she has continued to grow as both an athlete and leader while deepening her understanding of the game. After her first year as a head coach, Heart discovered an even greater passion for mentoring young athletes and helping them navigate their own journey. She strives to create a team culture where athletes feel supported, challenged, and empowered to grow not only as players, but as people. Heart sees growth as coming from learning, embracing mistakes, and consistently showing up with purpose. She believes practice doesn’t always make perfect—but it builds consistency, and that consistency creates confidence and long-term success both on and off the court.
TLS (14U) Girls Head Coach
Aaron Ahmed
Coach Aaron’s passion for sports shaped him from an early age, with experience competing across multiple varsity teams and continuing his passion through years of playing, officiating, and coaching. Now stepping into his role as head coach of one of our TLS teams, he is driven to help every athlete reach their full potential, both on and off the court. His focus is on creating a positive, competitive environment where athletes are challenged to grow, build confidence, and strengthen teamwork and communication, all while embracing a mindset of continuous improvement. For Aaron, volleyball is more than a sport; it is an opportunity to develop character, build meaningful connections, and instill confidence that extends beyond the game.
15U Girls Head/17U Girls Assistant Coach
Nathan Dunne
Coach Dunne differentiates himself from other coaches because of his acute attention to detail and drive to better himself and his community. Over his 5-year volleyball career, he notched notable medals; Gold at The Ontario Summer Games in Beach Volleyball (2018) alongside head technical director, Vishnu Persaud. gold at Ontario Beach Provincials in 16U and gold at the US high-performance international beach tournament the same year. Before losing his 17U and 18U seasons due to the pandemic, he was awarded an OVA All-Star (one of 6 in the province) and finished 4th place at indoor Nationals , and a bronze medal in the provincial indoor championships. He has ample experience in high-level sport and cannot wait to foster a welcoming community at Shockwave Volleyball!
15U Girls Head Coach
Thuy Le
Having assisted with our 14U Sharks team last year,, Thuy now returns as a head coach. Thuy has a deep understanding of the game, having played at a competitive level for over a decade. Her playing career has provided her with valuable insights into volleyball, which she now brings to her coaching approach. Thuy places a strong emphasis on technical skill development, believing that mastering the fundamentals is the key to both individual success and team growth. Alongside technical development, Thuy is committed to helping athletes understand game play strategy, emphasizing the importance of court awareness, communication, and decision-making in match situations. Thuy’s goal is to help each player grow not only as an athlete but as a thinker of the game. Through continuous learning, Thuy hopes to help players not only improve their skills but also develop a love for the game.
15U Girls Head Coach
Nikko Lagman
Now in his second season with Shockwave, Nikko has built on an incredible debut year where his focus on development and high standards led his team to a gold medal at the Ontario Provincials, followed by a National gold medal less than a month later. As he steps into this new season, he remains dedicated to helping players find their stride and fostering a team culture rooted in growth and excellence. Nikko believes that when you focus on the work and truly care about getting better, the results follow. He encourages his players to embrace the challenge of competing and to take ownership of their own progress in a supportive environment. For Nikko, coaching is about more than just drills; it’s about helping his players build the confidence and mindset they need to reach their full potential and truly enjoy the game.
16U Girls Head Coach
Abhishek Bhujaballi
Volleyball is a big part of Abhi’s life, first as a player and now as a coach. With years of playing and coaching, he has developed a coaching philosophy built around a love of the game to develop character, resilience, and confidence. He believes that volleyball is not just about competition, but about building values that last far beyond the court. Abhi’s coaching style focuses on goal setting, a growth mindset, and mental performance, alongside technical skill and teamwork. He is dedicated to creating an environment where athletes can thrive, compete with passion, and grow both as players and as people. Abhi is also a certified fitness coach, bringing that expertise into his practices by focusing on agility, strength, and athleticism to help athletes reach their full potential. Giving back through sport has always been central to Abhi’s journey. For him, coaching is more than wins and losses, it’s about preparing athletes for success both on the court and in life.
17U Girls Head Coach
Liam Gould
​Liam is a dedicated coach to the sport of volleyball. His passion for the sport of far surpasses those in similar interest, saying "it’s one of the most important things in my life and I want others to feel this way”. Liam uses his skills learned from his previous club volleyball experience as well as years of house league and high school coaching experience to coach for the 2024-2025 season. Liam is in the kinesiology program at Durham college where he learns about performance sports training, using this knowledge to his advantage on the court as well as on the sidelines coaching his team.
18U Girls Head Coach
Larry Tung
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17U Girls Assistant Coach
Abigail Benemerito
​Since childhood, Abigail has been deeply passionate about volleyball. She has earned championships at both the school and club levels and has also coached her school's junior volleyball team. Through these experiences, Abigail has gained a comprehensive understanding of the game's key elements and the challenges players face. As she transitions from being a player to a coach, she aims to impart her knowledge and skills to help develop aspiring athletes. With her profound grasp of the sport, she is committed to creating an environment that inspires and motivates players to reach their full potential. Abigail is thrilled to join the Shockwave family and hopes to gain more coaching experience while sharing her enthusiasm for volleyball.
13U Girls Assistant Coach
Allyson Kulchyski
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15U Girls Assistant Coach
Chelsea Walker
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16U Girls Assistant Coach
Jaden da Silva
Coach Jaden is a firm believer in “volleyball for life”, embodying key values of sport–resilience, integrity, and collaboration–on and off the court. Specifically, Jaden brings years of playing, coaching, and managerial experience in the sport of volleyball, and aims to translate these experiences into helping athletes develop as players and people. He seeks to create a coaching environment where players feel supported to speak up and push themselves in all aspects of life. Ultimately, through each practice and game, Jaden seeks to build exceptional athletes and outspoken leaders.
6v6 (13U) Girls Assistant Coach
Johnny Poveda
Johnny came to Canada from Venezuela 5 years ago where he coached and nurtured many athletes in various sports. His passion and competitive nature came from beach volleyball where he played for various teams back in Spain. Johnny now in Canada, runs camps for students to learn the love of sport. He is a great role model to all athletes and instills compassion, dedication and perseverance to all he coaches. Johnny has an outstanding ability to communicate with players and guide them to confidence in the sport. His love for the game will no doubt be contagious to all he coaches.
15U Girls Assistant Coach
Jeremie Gelera
With a deep passion for volleyball and years of experience both on and off the court, Jeremie is a dedicated volleyball coach known for bringing out the best in every player. Having played the sport for many years at various levels, he combines technical expertise with a genuine love for the game; creating a positive and encouraging environment for athletes of all ages and skill levels. Whether coaching beginners or more advanced players, Jeremie focuses on fundamentals, teamwork, and confidence-building—believing that growth in sports mirrors growth in life. He continues to stay involved in the volleyball community, always learning, adapting, and sharing the joy of the game. For Jeremie volleyball isn't just a sport—it's a lifelong passion and a way to inspire others.
16U Girls Assistant Coach
Justin Nadela
This is Justin’s second year as an assistant coach with the team, bringing many years of volleyball experience both as a player and coach. As the former captain of his High School team, Justin also coached both the junior and senior teams during his time there. Beyond school, Justin has coached athletes of all ages with the City of Toronto, building strong foundations for new players while challenging advanced athletes to reach the next level. Justin has also developed a better understanding of the game while competing in competitive volleyball leagues and tournaments. As a coach, Justin emphasizes mastering the fundamentals while introducing advanced techniques that help players grow to their fullest potential—both on and off the court.
15U Girls Assistant Coach
Kedar Wilson
Kedar brings almost a decade of volleyball experience to Shockwave. He has an extensive knowledge on all volleyball skills and looks forward to developing these players into great athletes as well as people. He has played in the OCAA for 2 years, one as a George Brown Husky (2021) and one as a part of the Seneca Stings (2023). We are fortunate that he has decided to join our Shockwave coaching team!
16U Girls Assistant Coach
Kaila Ventura
Kaila has been playing volleyball since she was 11 and has developed a strong passion for the sport. She has coached her elementary school volleyball team and served as an assistant coach for the senior boys volleyball team as well. Through both playing and coaching, she has developed strong leadership, communication, and teamwork skills. She enjoys helping athletes improve their skills, gain confidence, and enjoy the game as much as she does.
16U Girls Assistant Coach
Liam Gillmore
Liam has been playing volleyball for almost 8 years now, and loves it more with each passing day. He believes it is not only a great sport but a great teacher for life as a whole - about how to bounce back from adversity, build positive relationships, and work to achieve shared goals with your teammates. Liam brings OVA playing experience as well as volleyball coaching experience to Shockwave, where he will be helping our players develop their technical and teamwork skills to become the best players they can be. The things he feels sets him apart as a player are the energy he brings to the court, as well as his feel for the game and a well-rounded skillset -qualities he hopes to pass to our players. Above all, Liam wants to help our athletes discover the same love for volleyball that he and the rest of our coaches found along our journeys. Liam is returning for his second year with Shockwave.
18U Girls Assistant Coach
Mathijs Martinez
13U Girls Assistant Coach
Michael David
Michael has been playing volleyball for several years and played on his high school volleyball team for three seasons. He was also awarded Beach Volleyball MVP during the 2022–2023 season. In addition to playing, Michael has helped assist with high school volleyball practices, working with athletes on skill development, helping with drills, and providing support during training sessions. He continues to stay involved in the sport through recreational play and enjoys helping young athletes improve their skills and confidence on the court. Michael is excited to be part of the Shockwave Volleyball community and share his passion for the game with the next generation of players.
15U Girls Assistant Coach
Nina White
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TLS (14U) Girls Assistant Coach
Olivia Mohadeb
Coach Olivia has been involved in volleyball for many years and developed a strong passion for the sport from a young age. Now in her second year of assistant coaching at Shockwave, she is committed to helping athletes build confidence, strengthen their skills, and develop a love for the game. With 7 years of competitive club volleyball experience, Olivia focuses on creating a positive and supportive environment where players are encouraged to work hard, communicate, and continue improving each time they step on the court. She values teamwork, effort, and personal growth, while motivating athletes to challenge themselves and reach their potential both on and off the court.
TLS (14U) Girls Assistant Coach
Olivia Vallelunga
With over six years of competitive volleyball experience, Olivia brings a deep passion and strong leadership presence to the court. She has captained every club team she’s played on, as well as her high school team in Grade 10, earning a reputation for her positivity, drive, and unwavering commitment to her teammates. Now playing as a setter for the George Brown Women’s Volleyball Team, Olivia continues to grow both as a player and mentor. She’s dedicated to fostering a safe, encouraging learning environment where athletes feel empowered to push their limits, support one another, and develop a real love for the game. Whether it’s celebrating the highs or learning through the lows, Olivia has cherished every step of her volleyball journey, and she's excited to help the next generation of players do the same.
13U (6v6) Girls Assistant Coach
Samantha Naccarato
​Samantha is a seasoned and accomplished coach with a background in coaching effectively and leading teams to victories. She is wholeheartedly committed to helping student athletes realize their greatest athletic potential. Samantha is looking to help instruct athletes regarding serving, blocking and passing. Bringing forth the ability to skilfully help players make conscious decisions to improve their form, technique and performance level while also enjoying the game of volleyball.
TLS (14U) Girls Assistant Coach
Sarah Kelly
Sarah is looking forward to another great season ahead returning as an assistant coach with our 14U Teal Team. She is an enthusiastic and dedicated coach, who has 4 years experience playing rep volleyball. Her passion for the sport, combined with her positive attitude and strong communication skills, allows her to connect well with athletes of all ages and abilities. Sarah is committed to helping players develop their skills, build confidence, and foster teamwork both on and off the court. She strives to create a supportive and encouraging environment where every athlete can reach their full potential.
14U (TLS) Girls Assistant Coach
Tenzin Dhasel
After years of playing competitive volleyball in India, Nepal, and Canada, Tenzin is excited to step into the role of assistant coach for the 16U girls Storm team. Volleyball has given him valuable lessons in teamwork, discipline, and perseverance, and now he looks forward to passing down what he has learned to the next generation of players. His goal is to help athletes not only develop their skills on the court but also build confidence, resilience, and a true love for the game.