Meet the 864 Elite Volleyball coaching staff for the 2026–2027 season
July 17, 2026 -
864 Elite Volleyball is proud to introduce an outstanding coaching staff for the 2026–2027 club season.
From longtime championship-winning coaches to former collegiate athletes and rising leaders in the sport, this year’s staff brings an exceptional combination of experience, technical knowledge, passion, and commitment to athlete development.
While success on the court remains an important goal, our coaches understand that club volleyball is about much more than wins and tournament finishes. It is also about helping young athletes build confidence, develop strong character, learn accountability, become better teammates, and discover a lasting love for the game.
We are excited to introduce the coaches who will lead our teams from 11U through 18U, along with the support coaches who will provide additional technical training and player development throughout the season.
11U Head Coach: Coach George
Experience, passion, and a proven record of success will once again lead the sidelines for 864 Elite’s 11U team as Coach George returns for the 2026–2027 season.
A familiar face in the gym and a respected leader on the court, Coach George brings more than 26 years of coaching experience and a passion for developing young athletes. From coaching varsity high school volleyball in South Florida to helping build successful club programs, he has spent decades teaching the game and helping players reach their potential.
Since arriving in South Carolina, Coach George has earned a reputation for building competitive teams, developing fundamentally sound players, and creating an environment where athletes can grow in confidence both on and off the court.
His teams have achieved tremendous success, including helping deliver 864 Elite’s first Regional Championship, earning a Top-5 finish at the AAU National Championships, and capturing a National Championship in 2025.
While those accomplishments are certainly worth celebrating, Coach George takes the greatest pride in the growth of the athletes he coaches and the relationships he builds with players and families.
Known for his positive approach, attention to detail, and commitment to teaching the game the right way, Coach George continues to make a lasting impact on every athlete who comes through the program.
Away from volleyball, Coach George is a retired firefighter from West Palm Beach, Florida. He and his wife, Susan, have been married for 45 years and remain dedicated supporters of the 864 Elite community.
We are thrilled to have Coach George leading our 11U team and look forward to another season of growth, competition, and success.
12U Head Coach: Hadley Smith
864 Elite is excited to welcome Coach Hadley Smith as the Head Coach of our 12U team for the 2026–2027 season.
Coach Hadley brings six years of coaching experience and a lifelong passion for volleyball. Her journey began as a middle school player, and by the age of 15, she was already giving back to the sport by mentoring young athletes while continuing her own club volleyball career.
Over the years, Hadley has coached athletes from 8U through 17U with Atown Volleyball Club, Crossfire Volleyball Club, and the Anderson Cavaliers Homeschool Organization.
She also competed at the collegiate level at Southern Wesleyan University, giving her valuable experience both on the court and from the sidelines.
Coach Hadley believes the greatest victories are achieved through player development. She is passionate about helping athletes build confidence, strengthen their skills, develop leadership qualities, and discover a lasting love for the game.
Known for creating a positive, challenging, and encouraging environment, Coach Hadley is committed to helping every athlete reach her potential while making the journey fun and rewarding.
We are proud to welcome Coach Hadley Smith to the 864 Elite family and cannot wait to see the impact she will have on our athletes and program this season.
13U Head Coach: Coach Faith
Leading our 13U team for the 2026–2027 season will be Coach Faith, a former championship player and experienced coach with a lifelong passion for volleyball.
Faith began playing volleyball at eight years old. She later competed at Pickens High School, where she helped lead her team to an Upper State Championship in 2012 and back-to-back State Championships in 2013 and 2014.
During her high school career, she also earned All-Region honors.
Faith continued her volleyball career at the University of South Carolina, competing on the club volleyball team for three years. As a junior, she served as Club President, taking on responsibilities as a player, coach, and manager while helping lead the organization both on and off the court.
She brings valuable coaching experience to 864 Elite, having coached at the 10U level for two seasons and served as the Varsity Assistant Coach at Mauldin High School. Faith is also entering her first year as an assistant coach at Liberty High School.
As a coach, Faith is passionate about helping athletes develop confidence, strong character, and a lifelong love for the game. Her goal is to create a positive environment where players can grow both as athletes and as individuals.
Outside of coaching, Faith continues to enjoy playing volleyball on both the beach and grass. She also enjoys spending time with her husband, Jeremy, and their daughter, Flora.
We are excited to have Coach Faith leading our 13U athletes this season.
14U Head Coach: Carla Simpson
Few people have had a greater impact on Liberty-area volleyball than 864 Elite 14U Head Coach Carla Simpson.
A Liberty High School alumna, Carla’s connection to the game began as a standout player for the Red Devils, where she earned All-Region honors and helped lead her team to an Upper State Final Four appearance.
After graduating, she quickly found her passion on the sidelines. Carla returned to Liberty as an assistant coach before eventually taking over the varsity program.
During 14 seasons as head coach, Carla has built one of the most respected volleyball programs in the Upstate. She has led her teams to more than 200 victories, multiple Region Championships, and three Upper State Championship appearances.
Under her leadership, Liberty captured Upper State titles in both 2014 and 2022.
Carla’s commitment to excellence has earned her Region Coach of the Year honors six times. She was also recognized as a finalist for South Carolina State Coach of the Year in 2014 and 2022.
Her leadership and reputation within the volleyball community also resulted in her selection as the North-South All-Star Coach in 2018 and the FCA All-Star Coach in 2019.
Throughout her coaching career, Carla has mentored countless athletes who earned All-State, All-Region, and All-Star recognition, with many continuing their volleyball careers at the collegiate level.
Her passion for player development also extends beyond high school competition. She has coached club athletes ranging from the 12U through 16U levels.
More than wins and championships, Carla values the relationships volleyball creates. She believes the sport has the power to build confidence, character, and lifelong friendships while creating a culture that supports athletes both on and off the court.
When she is not in the gym, Carla enjoys spending time with her husband, Jared, and their son, Stran.
She is excited to continue investing in the next generation of athletes and helping young women throughout the Upstate grow through the game she loves as part of the 864 Elite Volleyball family.
15U Head Coach: Coach Ken
864 Elite Volleyball is excited to announce Coach Ken as the Head Coach of our 15U team for the 2026–2027 season.
Coach Ken’s passion for volleyball runs deep. With more than 30 years invested in the game and more than 25 years of coaching experience, he has spent his career helping athletes grow, compete, and achieve more than they thought possible.
His record of success is impressive, but what truly sets Coach Ken apart is his commitment to developing confident, disciplined, and resilient young athletes.
Over the years, Coach Ken has experienced tremendous success, including multiple championship runs, national tournament success, and recognition among the nation’s top programs.
His teams consistently compete at a high level because of the culture he creates, one built on hard work, accountability, preparation, and a relentless drive to improve.
From youth development to elite club volleyball and high school competition, Coach Ken has worked with athletes at every stage of their journey.
That experience allows him to meet players where they are, challenge them to grow, and help them reach the next level both as athletes and as people.
As the current Head Girls Volleyball Coach at Mauldin High School, Coach Ken continues to make a lasting impact on the athletes he leads.
His focus extends beyond the scoreboard, emphasizing leadership, character, teamwork, and the daily habits that create long-term success.
We are excited for the energy, experience, and vision Coach Ken brings to our program and cannot wait to see the impact he will have on our 15U athletes this season.
16U Head Coach: Coach Matt
After an exceptional 2025 campaign, 864 Elite is proud to announce Coach Matt as the Head Coach of the 16U team for the 2026–2027 club season.
Matt became part of the 864 Elite family in 2023 and quickly established himself as a respected leader on the coaching staff.
With coaching experience dating back to 2018, he has worked with athletes at multiple age levels and across several club programs. That experience has given him a broad perspective on what it takes to help players improve individually while learning to compete as a team.
Throughout the past two seasons, Matt played an important role in the success of the program’s 14U and 15U teams. He collaborated closely with the club directors and Coach Ken to prepare athletes for the next stages of their volleyball journeys.
His impact has also extended into the high school ranks. Matt spent two seasons coaching at Pickens High School before joining the varsity staff at Mauldin High School.
The 2025 club season marked Matt’s first year leading his own team at 864 Elite, and the results spoke for themselves.
His 15U squad finished with an outstanding 64–7 record while earning a Top-10 finish at the AAU National Championships.
More importantly, Matt’s teams are known for competing with confidence, discipline, and relentless effort.
When he is not in the gym, Matt is working toward a Business degree at Clemson University. Whether in the classroom or on the court, he is committed to learning, growing, and investing in the success of those around him.
As he takes the reins of the 16U team, 864 Elite looks forward to the leadership, passion, and competitive spirit he will bring to another talented group of athletes.
17U Head Coach: Jennifer Palmateer
864 Elite Volleyball is excited to welcome Jennifer Palmateer as the Head Coach of our 17U team for the 2026–2027 season.
Coach Jennifer brings a unique combination of playing experience, coaching expertise, and a passion for athlete development.
After competing at the collegiate level at the University of Toledo, she transitioned into coaching and has spent more than a decade helping players grow into confident competitors and supportive teammates.
Her coaching experience spans both the high school and club levels throughout the Upstate.
From leading junior varsity programs to directing a varsity program for six seasons, Jennifer has built a reputation for developing athletes, establishing strong team cultures, and creating environments where players are challenged to be their best every day.
What sets Coach Jennifer apart is her belief that success begins with mastering the fundamentals and developing mental toughness.
She brings energy, accountability, and enthusiasm to every practice while encouraging athletes to embrace challenges, learn from adversity, and compete with confidence.
We could not be more excited to have Coach Jennifer leading our 17U team this season and look forward to the impact she will make throughout the program.
18U Head Coach: Kim LaBoard
864 Elite Volleyball is thrilled to announce that Kim LaBoard will lead our 18U team as Head Coach for the 2026–2027 club season.
Coach LaBoard brings an incredible wealth of knowledge, experience, and passion to 864 Elite.
Entering her 11th season as a high school head coach, she has built championship-caliber programs everywhere she has been.
During eight seasons at J.L. Mann High School, Kim compiled an impressive 143–69 record, led the Patriots to an Upper State Championship appearance, won two Region Championships, and was named Region Coach of the Year twice.
More recently, Coach LaBoard has continued that success at Chapman High School.
During her first two seasons leading the Panthers, she guided the program to a remarkable 54–10 record, a Region Championship, an Upper State Championship appearance, and another Region Coach of the Year honor.
Her impact extends far beyond the high school game.
With more than 15 years of club coaching experience, including time serving as Indoor Director at Excell Sports, Coach LaBoard has coached athletes from 14U through 18U and led multiple teams to both USAV and AAU National Championships.
Coach LaBoard was also a standout player.
She earned All-Conference and All-State honors at Hillsborough Community College while helping her team win a State Championship and advance to the National Tournament.
She continued her career at the University of West Florida, where she received All-Gulf South Conference honors, multiple Defensive Player of the Week awards, and several All-Tournament Team selections.
More importantly, Coach LaBoard is committed to developing young women both on and off the court.
She believes in creating a culture built on hard work, confidence, accountability, and a genuine love for the game.
We are proud to welcome Coach Kim LaBoard to 864 Elite and cannot wait to see the impact she will have on our athletes and program this season.
Fundamental Skills and Support Coach: Kelly Burdeau
864 Elite Volleyball is excited to announce that Kelly Burdeau, Head Volleyball Coach at Erskine College, will join our coaching staff as a Fundamental Skills and Support Coach.
Working alongside Coach Quinn and Melissa Baker, Coach Burdeau will help athletes strengthen their technical skills, improve game fundamentals, and continue their growth both on and off the court.
A respected leader with more than a decade of collegiate coaching experience, Burdeau has developed a reputation for building competitive programs and developing well-rounded student-athletes.
She is entering her seventh season leading the volleyball program at Erskine College, where she has guided the Flying Fleet to continued success, including a trip to the Conference Carolinas Quarterfinals and an NCCAA South Regional Championship.
Her impact extends far beyond match results.
Under her leadership, Erskine teams have earned AVCA Academic Team Awards and achieved some of the highest academic performances on campus.
She has also coached multiple All-Conference selections and an NCCAA All-American, demonstrating her commitment to helping athletes reach their full potential.
Before arriving at Erskine, Burdeau spent four seasons as Head Coach at the University of Arkansas at Monticello.
During her time there, the program reached new heights, setting school records in several statistical categories while producing numerous All-Conference and Academic All-Conference student-athletes.
Earlier in her career, she served as Head Coach at Brevard College, where she helped revitalize a struggling program and led the team to significant improvement in conference play.
Her student-athletes were also recognized for their service and community involvement, earning national attention for their efforts supporting ovarian cancer awareness initiatives.
As a former standout player at Catawba College, Burdeau was part of championship-winning teams and developed the competitive foundation that shaped her coaching philosophy.
She earned a degree in Mathematics with minors in Education and Spanish before completing a master’s degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Liberty University.
In addition to coaching, Burdeau remains actively involved in student-athlete development through her work in academic support and sports information.
Her passion for teaching, leadership, and player development makes her an outstanding addition to the 864 Elite staff.
We are proud to welcome Coach Burdeau and look forward to the positive impact she will have on our athletes throughout the season.
Player Development and Support Coach: Quinn Lukens
After leading the 864 Elite 18U team during the 2025–2026 season, Coach Quinn Lukens will transition into a player development and support role for the upcoming season.
Quinn and his wife are expecting their first child, and with that exciting life change, he will be stepping back from full-time coaching to focus more of his time on his growing family.
Although he will not lead a team this season, Quinn will remain actively involved in the program.
In his new role, he will continue mentoring athletes behind the scenes, assisting with player development, and sharing his extensive coaching knowledge throughout the club.
Quinn brings an impressive volleyball background to 864 Elite.
- 864 Elite 18U Head Coach during the 2025–2026 season
- Assistant Coach at Clemson University from 2022 through 2025
- Head Volleyball Coach and Human Performance Coach at Madison College from 2020 through 2022
- More than 12 years of coaching experience at the youth club level
- Former Skill and Technical Director at Capital Volleyball Academy
- Three-time Badger Region Open Division Champion
- 2018 JVA World Challenge Champion
- Third-place finish at the 2022 AAU National Championships
- Ninth-place finish at the 2016 AAU National Championships
Quinn’s club coaching experience includes two years with Pacific Palisades Volleyball Club in California and 10 years with Capital Volleyball Academy in Madison, Wisconsin.
At Capital Volleyball Academy, Quinn led teams in the 16U through 18U age groups and served as the organization’s top 17U coach for seven years.
He also served as the Skill and Technical Director at Capital Volleyball Academy for five years.
In that role, he oversaw club-wide skill development, technical training, and strength and conditioning programs.
Earlier in his career, Quinn contributed to the Wisconsin Badgers Women’s Volleyball program as a student manager from 2012 through 2015.
During that period, Wisconsin finished as the NCAA National Runner-Up in 2013 and captured a Big Ten Championship in 2014.
Quinn had the opportunity to work under respected collegiate coaches Pete Waite and Kelly Sheffield.
He is excited about this new chapter and remains optimistic about returning to a full-time coaching position in the future.
We are grateful that Coach Quinn will continue sharing his experience, knowledge, and passion with the athletes and coaches of 864 Elite.
Building Athletes and Preparing Leaders
The strength of any volleyball program begins with the people who teach, encourage, challenge, and support its athletes.
The 864 Elite coaching staff brings decades of combined experience from the youth, club, high school, and collegiate levels.
Together, these coaches share a commitment to teaching strong fundamentals, developing confident competitors, building positive team cultures, and helping athletes prepare for success both on and off the court.
We are excited about the future of 864 Elite Volleyball and look forward to an outstanding 2026–2027 season.
One Team. One Family. 864 Elite.