Meet the Coaches
Desmond Vest
Owner - Head Coach
Desmond’s journey with volleyball began in California, where he was born into a family of passionate athletes. Surrounded by volleyball from a young age, he quickly fell in love with the game that would become his lifelong passion. When he moved to Utah, his coaching career blossomed, first in club volleyball, and later as the head girls volleyball coach at Highland High School. There, Desmond found his true calling, pouring his heart into building a program where family, gratitude, dedication, and a deep love for volleyball thrive. Known for creating a culture of loud cheers and even louder support for one another, Desmond has made his team a place where both the game and the people are cherished.
Nolan Hee
Owner - Club Director
Nolan grew up with volleyball in his blood. Born in Hawaii, his love for the game followed him to Oregon, where he dedicated years to coaching high school volleyball, shaping young athletes with his signature values of teamwork, togetherness, resiliency, and an unyielding competitive spirit. When life led him to the mountains of Utah, he embraced the next chapter: raising his children in a place rich with opportunity, while continuing his passion by coaching club volleyball. In every team he leads, Nolan instills the lessons he’s learned along the way showing that no matter where you play, the heart of the game is in the bond between teammates.
Amelia Valente
Amelia is a passionate 20-year-old Psychology student at the University of Utah, with a rich background in volleyball that began in fourth grade. She played competitively through high school, culminating in a state championship win and a 1st team all-state recognition in her senior year. Amelia has transitioned into coaching, leading volleyball camps and recently coaching a club team. Her coaching philosophy emphasizes not only skill development but also building confidence and a strong work ethic in a fun and supportive environment.
Gabby Renaud
Gabby is entering her second official season as a volleyball coach, bringing 15 years of experience in the sport as a player and coach. A standout athlete, she was named the All-State 1A Player of the Year and State Champion in 2021. Gabby is passionate about fostering a positive coaching environment, emphasizing technical skill, mental resilience, and team dynamics. Her experiences with both great and challenging coaches have shaped her approach, ensuring she provides the supportive guidance every player deserves.
McKenzie Christopher
Ethan Wilde
McKenzie is a passionate volleyball coach who discovered the sport later in life, after regretting not playing it during her junior high and high school years. She is dedicated to creating a supportive environment for her players, helping them become lifelong learners while fostering teamwork and determination. With a focus on personal growth, McKenzie gives her all to inspire the next generation of athletes.
Helping out in the past was a lot of fun for Ethan, and it motivated him to want to contribute something meaningful to the teams and help the girls stay in shape. He has been an athlete in multiple sports for most of his life, including Football, Basketball, and Track and field, and because of that experience he has seen firsthand how much conditioning and strength affect performance. Ethan’s goal is to help the girls maximize their physical potential by jumping higher, hitting harder, improving their footwork and speed, and feeling physically prepared every time they step on the court. His focus is on helping them stay in shape, compete stronger, and maintain a level of conditioning that keeps them confident, healthy, and ready to win games.
Coaches Statement
At Laulima Volleyball Club, our passionate coaching staff is dedicated to creating a dynamic and supportive environment where young athletes can thrive. We focus on building skills, teamwork, and character, encouraging players to embrace challenges and celebrate every achievement. Our goal is to help girls grow into confident, resilient leaders while forming lasting friendships and a deep love for the game. Together, we aim to inspire each athlete to reach new heights on the court and in life, fostering a legacy of hard work and camaraderie.
Brooklee Mills
Brooklee Mills has played volleyball for four years, and last year she had the chance to try coaching. She returned to coaching this season while recovering from an injury, and it has shown her a new side of the sport. She loves being able to support younger girls, share what she has learned, and help them grow into stronger players and people. Brooklee hopes to continue playing volleyball in college and stay involved in the sport in any way she can.