864 Elite Volleyball Club Leadership
Club leadership:
Thomas Crumpton, Club Director
tommy@tigernet.comTommy is currently an assistant varsity volleyball coach at Pickens High School where in the past 3 years the Blue Flame are 81-25, including winning the 2024 4A State Championship and two 4A region titles. Previously, he was an assistant volleyball coach at Pickens Middle School for 10 years where he helped lead the team to 8 consecutive undefeated seasons with an amazing 130-0 record. During that time the Lady Sparks won 9 division titles and 9 tournament titles. He has also coached the last 9 years in club volleyball including 2 National teams. His 13u team in 2021 climbed as high as #2 in the nation. His 14u team in 2022 reached a ranking of #3 in the nation with a record of 41-1. He has been married to Coach Crumpton for 15 years, and they have one Goldendoodle named Josie.
Ken Vanderhoof, Club Director
upstatecoachken@gmail.comKen brings more than 30 years of experience in the sport of volleyball and over 25 years of coaching and program leadership. Throughout his career, he has distinguished himself as a successful coach, mentor, and educator, earning a reputation for building highly competitive programs while fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and athlete development.
Ken's teams have established a record of sustained excellence, competing among the top programs in the state and nation. Since 2019, his leadership has resulted in more than 500 wins, multiple region and state championships, several top-six finishes at AAU Nationals, and national recognition with a ranking as high as No. 2 in the country. These accomplishments reflect not only competitive success, but also his ability to build programs defined by consistency, development, and a championship culture. Ken's coaching background is extensive, spanning youth and grassroots development, collegiate athletics, high school volleyball, and elite club competition. This broad experience provides him with a comprehensive understanding of athlete development and the ability to guide players through every stage of their volleyball journey.
Currently serving as the Head Girls Volleyball Coach at Mauldin High School, Ken is committed to developing student-athletes who excel both on and off the court. His coaching philosophy emphasizes discipline, accountability, integrity, teamwork, and a relentless pursuit of improvement. He believes that sustained success is achieved through a commitment to high standards, strong relationships, and a culture that prioritizes collective achievement over individual recognition.
As a leader within 864 Elite Volleyball Club, Ken remains dedicated to providing athletes with an environment that promotes competitive excellence, personal growth, and character development. His goal is to prepare players not only for success in volleyball, but also for success in life by instilling the values and habits that will serve them long after their playing careers have ended.
Mellie Crumpton, Club Director
coachcrumpton@gmail.comCoach Crumpton is in her fourth year as the Pickens High School varsity volleyball head coach. In her first three seasons with the Blue Flame, her teams were 81-25, including winning the 2024 4A State Championship and two 4A region titles. Her teams have also recorded upsets over 5A State Champions Dorman, Mauldin, River Bluff, and Lexington. In her 10 seasons as the head volleyball coach at Pickens Middle School, she had a record of 161-6 with 9 Regular Season Championships and 9 Tournament Championships and also a winning streak of 130-0 that continued into 2023. Coach Crumpton was also named the 2020-21 Middle School Coach of the Year by the SCACA. In the last three club seasons, her teams have won an incredible 18 gold titles including the Beast of the Southeast and the Southeast Qualifier Invitational. In 2021 her 13U club team finished the regular season with a 40-0 record with 7 gold championships including the club’s first ever Palmetto Region title. That team also went on to finish tied for 5th at AAU Nationals. Coach Crumpton played at Pickens high helping lead her team to three State Championships – two as a player and one as an assistant coach. Coach Crumpton earned an athletic scholarship to play D1 volleyball at UNCA where she was a four year starter as a six-rotation outside hitter. She has been coaching for over 25 years, including club, middle school, JV, high school, and college. Coach Crumpton has a true passion for the sport that she strives to pass along to each of the players she is blessed to coach. Her motto for the past 12 seasons has been “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” “I give my everything as a coach and I expect the same from my players. To me it all begins with developing solid fundamental skills. We practice hard, we play hard, and we grow together on and off the court. We become one big, solid volleyball family. That is what 864 Elite is all about.”
Club
2024-2025 864 Elite 14U Head Coach (#3 finish in region)
2023-2024 864 Elite 16U Head Coach (#2 finish in region)
2022-2023 864 Elite 15U Head Coach (#2 finish in region)
2021-2022 864 Elite 14U Head Coach (42-1 Record, #46 final national ranking)
2020-2021 Crossfire 13U Head Coach (#5th in Premier at AAU Nationals, #20 final national ranking)
2019-2020 Crossfire 13U Head Coach (Season cut short by COVID)
2018-2019 Crossfire 15U Head Coach (#67 in Club at AAU Nationals)
2017-2018 Crossfire 14U Head Coach (#5 finish in region)
2016-2017 Crossfire 13U Head Coach (#2 finish in region)
2015-2016 Atown Volleyball Academy 15/16s Head Coach
2012-2013 Carolina One Junior Program
2000-2001 Foothills 13U Head Coach (#2 finish in region)
1999-2000 Foothills 15U Head Coach (#1 finish in region, highest finish at Nationals of any prior SC team)
School
2024 Pickens High Varsity Head Coach (4A State Champions, 26-15)
2023 Pickens High Varsity Head Coach (Region Champs, 24-6-1)
2022 Pickens High Varsity Head Coach (Region Champs, 31-4)
2021 Pickens Middle Head Coach (Reg Season Champs, Tournament Champs, 16-0)
2020 Pickens Middle Head Coach (Reg Season Champs, Tournament Champs, 14-0)
2019 Pickens Middle Head Coach (Reg Season Champs, Tournament Champs, 20-0)
2018 Pickens Middle Head Coach (Reg Season Champs, Tournament Champs, 15-0)
2017 Pickens Middle Head Coach (Reg Season Champs, Tournament Champs, 21-0)
2016 Pickens Middle Head Coach (Reg Season Champs, Tournament Champs, 15-0)
2015 Pickens Middle Head Coach (Reg Season Champs, Tournament Champs, 14-0)
2014 Pickens Middle Head Coach (Reg Season Champs, Tournament Champs, 15-0)
2013 Pickens Middle Head Coach (Reg Season Runner-Up, 15-4)
2012 Pickens Middle Head Coach (Reg Season Champs, Tournament Champs, 16-2)
2003 South Wesleyan Assistant Collegiate Coach
2002 Pickens High Head Assistant Varsity Coach (State Champions)
2002 Pickens High JV Head Coach (15-0)
1999 Liberty High JV Head Coach (15-0)
