Train in Italy this Summer
with Olympic Players and Coaches!
with Olympic Players and Coaches!
Cesenatico, Italy is the backdrop for our Training Camp. Players will ride bikes past this scenery every day to the gym!
NOWHERE in the WORLD will you see a Coaching Staff like this!
Take advantage of the opportunity to be THE BEST player you can be
Learn from the WORLD'S BEST!
MEET OUR STAFF!*
NOWHERE in the WORLD will you see a Coaching Staff like this!
Take advantage of the opportunity to be THE BEST player you can be
Learn from the WORLD'S BEST!
MEET OUR STAFF!*
Master Coach & 2000 Olympian-Charlene Johnson Whitted
Charlene Johnson Whitted has built an impressive volleyball resume as an Olympian, club and collegiate star, and as a coach. Her accolades include numerous MVP and All-American awards, NCAA National Champion, Olympian, Hall of Fame Inductee, Gold Medal Winner.
She has spent the past fifteen years, as the Director of Volleyball for American College Connection, (a specialized recruiting service) and also as the instructor of Charlene Johnson Whitted Volleyball Camps.
Charlene spent four seasons (2003-2006) as an assistant coach at the University of Nebraska working mainly with the Huskers’ setters. During her tenure, Nebraska captured the 2006 NCAA National Volleyball Championship and reached the title match the previous year.
She served as an assistant coach on the 2012 and 2013 U.S. Women’s Junior National Team, which earned a Silver Medal at the NORCECA Women’s Junior Volleyball Championship. In 2010 she served as an assistant coach for the first ever Youth Olympic Team that earned a Silver Medal at the Youth Olympics. Also in 2010 and 2011, she served as an assistant coach for the Girl's Youth National Team, which earned a Gold Medal at the NORCECA Girl's Youth Volleyball Championship. Charlene spent the previous seven years coaching with the High Performance Select program with her last three years, 2007 – 2009, as the head coach.
A member of the U.S. National Team from 1997 to 2001, Charlene was the starting setter for the squad from January 1999 to August 2000. In her first season directing the U.S. National Team’s offense, Charlene earned the Best Setter Award at the 1999 NORCECA Continental Championship after leading her team to a second-place finish. She also guided the squad to a bronze medal at the 1999 Pan American Games.
In 2000, Charlene helped Team USA qualify for the Sydney Olympics as the starting setter at the NIKE Americas Volleyball Challenge, earning the Best Setter award at the four-team event. After the World Grand Prix, Team USA’s final tune-up before the Olympics, Charlene and Team USA placed fourth at the 2000 Sydney Olympics-an impressive finish for a team returning only two players from the previous Olympics.
Charlene most recently as the Assistant Coach at BYU Volleyball!
She has spent the past fifteen years, as the Director of Volleyball for American College Connection, (a specialized recruiting service) and also as the instructor of Charlene Johnson Whitted Volleyball Camps.
Charlene spent four seasons (2003-2006) as an assistant coach at the University of Nebraska working mainly with the Huskers’ setters. During her tenure, Nebraska captured the 2006 NCAA National Volleyball Championship and reached the title match the previous year.
She served as an assistant coach on the 2012 and 2013 U.S. Women’s Junior National Team, which earned a Silver Medal at the NORCECA Women’s Junior Volleyball Championship. In 2010 she served as an assistant coach for the first ever Youth Olympic Team that earned a Silver Medal at the Youth Olympics. Also in 2010 and 2011, she served as an assistant coach for the Girl's Youth National Team, which earned a Gold Medal at the NORCECA Girl's Youth Volleyball Championship. Charlene spent the previous seven years coaching with the High Performance Select program with her last three years, 2007 – 2009, as the head coach.
A member of the U.S. National Team from 1997 to 2001, Charlene was the starting setter for the squad from January 1999 to August 2000. In her first season directing the U.S. National Team’s offense, Charlene earned the Best Setter Award at the 1999 NORCECA Continental Championship after leading her team to a second-place finish. She also guided the squad to a bronze medal at the 1999 Pan American Games.
In 2000, Charlene helped Team USA qualify for the Sydney Olympics as the starting setter at the NIKE Americas Volleyball Challenge, earning the Best Setter award at the four-team event. After the World Grand Prix, Team USA’s final tune-up before the Olympics, Charlene and Team USA placed fourth at the 2000 Sydney Olympics-an impressive finish for a team returning only two players from the previous Olympics.
Charlene most recently as the Assistant Coach at BYU Volleyball!
Two Time Olympian & Master Coach Kim Oden
KimO (as we call her) graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Public Policy, and then went on to play on the U.S. National Team (1986–92, '94). She was named Olympic team captain in 1988 and 1992.
As a 2x Olympian, at the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics, Kim was voted "Best Hitter," tallying the highest hitting percentage during the games.
In 1992, she was on the U.S. women's team that won a bronze medal at the Barcelona Summer Olympics in Spain.
Originally a Southern California resident, her sisters Elaina and Beverly were also outstanding volleyball players. Her Volleyball awards Include: Three-time All-American, National Player of the Year in 1984 and 1985, Honda/Broderick Award in 1985, Pac-10 Player of the Year in 1983, 1984 and 1985, Player of the Decade on the AVCA's All-Decade Team (1980s). She holds the Stanford Cardinal single-match record for most blocks (16) and was voted MVP in 1995 in the National Four-Women Pro-Beach Tour
Oden was the head volleyball coach at Saint Francis High School in Mountain View, California. During her seven years coaching there, she recorded 100 wins and only 34 losses which took her teams to two State Championships. Kim was the NCAA Division I assistant coach at UNC, Duke, Iowa State and Stanford. Today, she is the associate director of College Counseling at Campbell Hall, and occasionally announces Stanford volleyball matches.
KimO (as we call her) graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Public Policy, and then went on to play on the U.S. National Team (1986–92, '94). She was named Olympic team captain in 1988 and 1992.
As a 2x Olympian, at the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics, Kim was voted "Best Hitter," tallying the highest hitting percentage during the games.
In 1992, she was on the U.S. women's team that won a bronze medal at the Barcelona Summer Olympics in Spain.
Originally a Southern California resident, her sisters Elaina and Beverly were also outstanding volleyball players. Her Volleyball awards Include: Three-time All-American, National Player of the Year in 1984 and 1985, Honda/Broderick Award in 1985, Pac-10 Player of the Year in 1983, 1984 and 1985, Player of the Decade on the AVCA's All-Decade Team (1980s). She holds the Stanford Cardinal single-match record for most blocks (16) and was voted MVP in 1995 in the National Four-Women Pro-Beach Tour
Oden was the head volleyball coach at Saint Francis High School in Mountain View, California. During her seven years coaching there, she recorded 100 wins and only 34 losses which took her teams to two State Championships. Kim was the NCAA Division I assistant coach at UNC, Duke, Iowa State and Stanford. Today, she is the associate director of College Counseling at Campbell Hall, and occasionally announces Stanford volleyball matches.
Canadian Women's Olympic Coach
and Professional Coach -
Marcello Abbondanza
Marcello is currently the Head Women's Volleyball Coach for the Canadian National Team! Marcello is also the Head Coach of KPS Chemik Police Club in Poland, where his team continues to be a Powerhouse. He has coached the World's top players such as American Olympian Christa Harmotto and Korean Superstar Kim Yeon Koung. Prior to Poland and Team Canada, he was with Fenerbahce, in Turkey and the coach for the Bulgarian Women's National Team for 3 years.
Marcello will be present on our trip; He is a native of Cesenatico, Italy.
and Professional Coach -
Marcello Abbondanza
Marcello is currently the Head Women's Volleyball Coach for the Canadian National Team! Marcello is also the Head Coach of KPS Chemik Police Club in Poland, where his team continues to be a Powerhouse. He has coached the World's top players such as American Olympian Christa Harmotto and Korean Superstar Kim Yeon Koung. Prior to Poland and Team Canada, he was with Fenerbahce, in Turkey and the coach for the Bulgarian Women's National Team for 3 years.
Marcello will be present on our trip; He is a native of Cesenatico, Italy.
Head Coach & Former Pro-Gayle Stammer
A First Team All-American player in Texas, Stammer went on to play at NCAA Division I Louisiana State University where she received All Southeastern Conference honors She was a middle hitter and led the team in blocks her senior year.
After LSU, Stammer played in the Italian Professional Volleyball League for three years. She returned to the Bay Area when she was a draft choice of the San Jose GoldDiggers in the inaugural season of Major League Volleyball.
Stammer soon after shifted her focus to beach volleyball and competed for 13 seasons on the professional circuit of the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) Tour. She was ranked among the top 10 players in the United States and made a strong run to the Final Four of the U.S. Olympic Beach Volleyball trials in Baltimore, Md. in 1996 before losing. Stammer was an alternate for the 1996 Atlanta Olympiad.
Gayle is the NOW the Head Coach for Texas A&M Corpus Christi Women's Beach Volleyball Team! Congratulations Gayle!!
A First Team All-American player in Texas, Stammer went on to play at NCAA Division I Louisiana State University where she received All Southeastern Conference honors She was a middle hitter and led the team in blocks her senior year.
After LSU, Stammer played in the Italian Professional Volleyball League for three years. She returned to the Bay Area when she was a draft choice of the San Jose GoldDiggers in the inaugural season of Major League Volleyball.
Stammer soon after shifted her focus to beach volleyball and competed for 13 seasons on the professional circuit of the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) Tour. She was ranked among the top 10 players in the United States and made a strong run to the Final Four of the U.S. Olympic Beach Volleyball trials in Baltimore, Md. in 1996 before losing. Stammer was an alternate for the 1996 Atlanta Olympiad.
Gayle is the NOW the Head Coach for Texas A&M Corpus Christi Women's Beach Volleyball Team! Congratulations Gayle!!
Italian Olympian and Professional
Carolina Costagrande
Olympian and Professional Indoor player Carolina Costagrande, will spend time in the gym this summer with players and coaches. Costagrande won the gold medal at the 2013 Club World Championships playing with Vakifbank Istanbul. She played with the Italian National Team in the 2014 World Championship, ending up in 4th place after losing to Brazil in the bronze medal match. We LOVE Carolina!
Carolina Costagrande
Olympian and Professional Indoor player Carolina Costagrande, will spend time in the gym this summer with players and coaches. Costagrande won the gold medal at the 2013 Club World Championships playing with Vakifbank Istanbul. She played with the Italian National Team in the 2014 World Championship, ending up in 4th place after losing to Brazil in the bronze medal match. We LOVE Carolina!
Trip Coordinator- Dana Wall
Dana has assisted in organizing trips overseas for Junior players since 2008, through USA Volleyball High Performance and AAU Volleyball. In 2014, she brought two teams, a 42 person troop, to France, Italy and Croatia to compete in the 2014 Global Challenge. It is her passion to bring International opportunities to junior players.
A San Diego native, she had a stellar playing career at San Diego State University, where she was a middle blocker and the team was ranked as high as fourth nationally in the NCAA Division I. She was a first team AIAW Selection in 1979. Dana still holds the record for block solos in a match with 8, and she is in the top 5 at SDSU for career block solos and season block solos.
As a player, she has multiple US Open National Championships and an AAU National Championship under her belt, has been a US Open First Team All-American five times; she spent time on both the US Junior National and National teams. Dana is a former player for the Women's Professional Beach Volleyball Association (WPVA).
Wall is the retired Head Coach at Salem College in North Carolina. She took over the Volleyball Program in 2012 and immediately paid dividends for the Spirits, guiding Salem to the 2012 GSAC Championships and a berth to the NCAA's; both, for the first time in school history in any sport. She repeated the GSAC Championship and NCAA berth in 2014 and followed that up by guiding Salem to GSAC Regular Season Titles in 2013 and 2014. Wall was named Great South Athletic Conference Coach of the Year for 2013 and 2014.
Dana has assisted in organizing trips overseas for Junior players since 2008, through USA Volleyball High Performance and AAU Volleyball. In 2014, she brought two teams, a 42 person troop, to France, Italy and Croatia to compete in the 2014 Global Challenge. It is her passion to bring International opportunities to junior players.
A San Diego native, she had a stellar playing career at San Diego State University, where she was a middle blocker and the team was ranked as high as fourth nationally in the NCAA Division I. She was a first team AIAW Selection in 1979. Dana still holds the record for block solos in a match with 8, and she is in the top 5 at SDSU for career block solos and season block solos.
As a player, she has multiple US Open National Championships and an AAU National Championship under her belt, has been a US Open First Team All-American five times; she spent time on both the US Junior National and National teams. Dana is a former player for the Women's Professional Beach Volleyball Association (WPVA).
Wall is the retired Head Coach at Salem College in North Carolina. She took over the Volleyball Program in 2012 and immediately paid dividends for the Spirits, guiding Salem to the 2012 GSAC Championships and a berth to the NCAA's; both, for the first time in school history in any sport. She repeated the GSAC Championship and NCAA berth in 2014 and followed that up by guiding Salem to GSAC Regular Season Titles in 2013 and 2014. Wall was named Great South Athletic Conference Coach of the Year for 2013 and 2014.
Master Coach - Olympic Player & Coach Paula Weishoff
A three-time Olympian, Weishoff also served two seasons as an assistant coach with the U.S. Women’s National Team and helped Team USA capture a silver medal at the 2012 London Games.
She competed for the Team USA at the 1984, 1992 and 1996 Games, earning the title of Most Valuable Player of the '84 team in Los Angeles. Following a silver medal ’84, Weishoff was selected as the USOC Female Volleyball Athlete of the Year and her Olympic dreams continued in Barcelona, Spain, where she guided USA to a bronze medal and was voted the MVP of the ’92 Games.
She was part of three Division I national titles at USC - one as a player in 1980 and two as an assistant coach (2002 and 2003). She began her coaching career at USC (1997-04), serving as the primary recruiting coordinator for seven years before
being promoted to associate head coach in 2003. She was inducted into the USC Hall of Fame in 2005. She has been the USA High Performance Director for SCVA for the last 8 years.
Weishoff was inducted into the USA Volleyball Hall of Fame in 1998, and received the All-Time Great Player Award that same year. She was also named to the USA Volleyball 75th Anniversary All-Era (1978-2002) Team in 2003.
Paula's international experience includes leading Daiei to 1995 Japan pro league title and earning MVP honors, Playing professionally in Brazil and leading her team to the finals, and playing for nine seasons in Italian leagues including being name MVP twice and and 1991 receiving the Best Player Award in Italian League.
Paula will once again be the Head Coach of the Concordia Eagles, in Irvine California.
A three-time Olympian, Weishoff also served two seasons as an assistant coach with the U.S. Women’s National Team and helped Team USA capture a silver medal at the 2012 London Games.
She competed for the Team USA at the 1984, 1992 and 1996 Games, earning the title of Most Valuable Player of the '84 team in Los Angeles. Following a silver medal ’84, Weishoff was selected as the USOC Female Volleyball Athlete of the Year and her Olympic dreams continued in Barcelona, Spain, where she guided USA to a bronze medal and was voted the MVP of the ’92 Games.
She was part of three Division I national titles at USC - one as a player in 1980 and two as an assistant coach (2002 and 2003). She began her coaching career at USC (1997-04), serving as the primary recruiting coordinator for seven years before
being promoted to associate head coach in 2003. She was inducted into the USC Hall of Fame in 2005. She has been the USA High Performance Director for SCVA for the last 8 years.
Weishoff was inducted into the USA Volleyball Hall of Fame in 1998, and received the All-Time Great Player Award that same year. She was also named to the USA Volleyball 75th Anniversary All-Era (1978-2002) Team in 2003.
Paula's international experience includes leading Daiei to 1995 Japan pro league title and earning MVP honors, Playing professionally in Brazil and leading her team to the finals, and playing for nine seasons in Italian leagues including being name MVP twice and and 1991 receiving the Best Player Award in Italian League.
Paula will once again be the Head Coach of the Concordia Eagles, in Irvine California.
*Not every coach with be at every training, please check with us to see who will be traveling with you!