Through dedicated, experienced and enthusiastic coaching, our goal at ENVY is to inspire self-confidence, promote sportsmanship and inclusion, and provide the opportunity for all young athletes to excel through a mutual love of volleyball.
Don't know where to start? Click the form below and one of our club directors will reach out to you!
Mike Picard, Club Director & Head Coach
Coach and Club Director Mike Picard has been an Omaha school and club coach for several years.
A Navy and NATO Special Operations Intelligence veteran and triathlete, Mike has always enjoyed the healthy challenge of athletic competition but playing volleyball has always been his passion. After Mike and his family returned to the U.S. after 13 years overseas, he was excited to be in Nebraska, where volleyball is such a popular sport. His daughter Kathryn began playing in 4th grade and as a volunteer parent-coach, he quickly renewed his love for the game, sharing his knowledge with future generations.
Continually learning, pursuing new coaching methods, and following the lessons of those who have developed successful programs over their careers, Mike believes that having a diverse skill set is essential for coaches and players alike. And while teams certainly benefit from guidance and strategy, coaches should also focus on the individual players who all have different needs.
After leading two teams to regional championships in 2021, he was awarded the USA Volleyball National Youth Coach of the Year in 2022. He is a volunteer coach for several local teams, and with support from community leaders, has decided to start ENVY Volleyball Club, a non-profit athletic organization that will offer scholarships to underprivileged youth in the Omaha area.
Darion White, ENVY Assistant Director
Darion is an independent business owner and a coach. He brings 15 years of coaching experience to ENVY as well as 15 years of playing experience includes club teams, adult and traveling teams around the country. Having worked with athletes at various levels, from youth development programs to elite adult teams, Darion has a deep understanding of the nuances of the game. His coaching style combines technical expertise with a profound knowledge of strategy, ensuring that each player reaches their full potential.
Darion’s coaching philosophy revolves around fostering a positive, high energy, motivating environment, where players can grow both as individuals and as part of a team. He believes that success in volleyball goes beyond the court, emphasizing character development, sportsmanship, and leadership skills.
Darion believes that volleyball is not just a game; it's a source of inspiration and a medium for personal growth. He is excited about the future, looking forward to continuing his coaching journey, and helping young athletes realize their potential while instilling the values and life lessons that volleyball has taught him.
-Stay strong, stay positive, and never give up-
Krechele Brown, ENVY Head Coach
Krechele has played volleyball for 18 years, including playing at the collegiate-level as a Libero. Of those 18 years, she has coached for 6 years. Krechele moved to Florida to continue her education. While in Florida she coached and played many indoor & sand leagues. Moving back home closer to family, she continues to play in adult leagues and coach for local clubs.
Krechele works with a hands on approach and embraces communication. Her strategy for coaching is based off of her own experience as being a player. She teaches with an open mind and is always willing to learn and grow as a coach. She joins ENVY, bringing her positive and outgoing personality. The ultimate goal for her team is to make the game fun, while learning in different ways.
Danielle Schneider, ENVY Head Coach
Danie has been involved in the volleyball community in many ways since she was 10. She has played herself through college when she changed roles from athlete to coach. She will be entering her 9th year coaching volleyball. Danie also is part of the Westside High School volleyball coaching staff. As a coach she has been apart of leading many teams to top 10 and top 5 finished at many national qualifiers, nationals and top 3 at state. She has worked with athletes from all ages from youth development to high school seniors.
Danie’s coaching style and philosophy is to make the game more than just winning and losing. She strives to develop athletes on and off the court that include technical aspects, mental game, positive growth mindset, being a good teammate, competitor and leader. She strives to make the team a family to help build the volleyball game as well. Danie knows that progress takes practice, dedication and a willingness to learn. She not only embraces as a coach by being open to new ideas and change, but also tries to instill this mindset into her athletes.
Outside of work, Danie is a special education teacher for Westside Community Schools while finishing her Masters in School Counseling. She herself still stays busy playing in many adult volleyball leagues of her own! She is excited and anxious to get started with ENVY this season and meet many of the wonderful athletes, parents and coaches that represent ENVY.
Mackenzie Olmstead, ENVY Head Coach
Mack has been playing volleyball competitively for 12 years and played club for 6 years. She is currently playing college volleyball at Midland University and loving it! Mack has been coaching for a few years now, which has deepened her love of sharing her passion for volleyball with others. Her goal as a coach is to build her players skill level and create a positive learning environment to be able to develop her athletes skills.
Volleyball has played a pivotal role in shaping Mack’s character and providing her with valuable life lessons. Mack believes each player should feel supported, valued, and empowered to overcome challenges both on and off the court, and she wants to encourage those beliefs this upcoming season. Through playing volleyball she’s developed a strong connection to it, and coaching club has provide a way for her to stay involved during her favorite season and hopefully impact a few athletes along the way.
Bryce Schott, ENVY Head Coach
My name is Bryce Schott and this is my second year coaching volleyball. Originally, I am from Lake Park, IA which is in the North part of the state near Okoboji. I played club volleyball in high school for Kairos, based in Sioux Falls, SD. Today, I play in various leagues and adult tournaments. I am currently a Physical Education teacher for Omaha Public Schools at an Elementary in North Omaha. I have primarily worked with younger athletes but am excited for the opportunity to work with older age groups. I emphasize improving the whole athlete when it comes to my style of coaching. Focusing on skill development of the game is important but I also incorporate other characteristic qualities such as goal setting, accountability, and confidence. I have such a love for the game and I try to exemplify that through my coaching but also have a goal to instil that into every athlete that walks into the door at ENVY.
James Parker, ENVY Head Coach
I have been playing volleyball for 13 years, since my freshman year of high school where I learned that Middle is in fact the hardest and best position to play, regardless of what any setter says. :)
Volleyball is a huge part of my life, from various leagues I play in, to previously coaching a team for adults wanting to learn the sport. This is my first year of coaching younger athletes, and I am excited to help instill a further love of the game within them and try to pass on ideals from my coach growing up who made me the athlete I am today.
Kaeleigh Novak, ENVY Assistant Coach
I have been playing intermediate/competitive volleyball for 16 years. I fill my time playing in various competitive indoor and sand leagues. This will be my first year as an assistant coach for volleyball. I am a huge Nebraska volleyball fan and what their program does for the state.
Volleyball has always had a special place in my heart, and I am ready to share that love. My coaching philosophy comes from Ted Lasso’s quote “Be a goldfish”. You might mess up, but that past 3 seconds are gone, and now it’s time to focus on the next point, the next pass, set or hit. I bring a positive attitude and wanting to create a fun, can’t wait to come to that next practice to learn more experience.
Madison Baldwin, ENVY Assistant Coach
Madi is a sophomore accounting student at The University of Nebraska-Omaha. She has coached and taught lessons for about 2 years. Volleyball has been a part of her life for as long as she can remember, from watching her older sister play to playing the sport herself.
Madi played libero for Riverside High School and was a part of their first-ever state-run team in 2022. She found her love for volleyball through the club. She loved playing with girls who were there to get better and work hard, and coaches that pushed them. She wants to help girls like her find their love and passion for volleyball.
Madi has a strong passion for a growth mindset and pushing yourself every time you step on the court. She will be your biggest fan, but she will also push you to be the best you can be.
Laurel Kozimor, ENVY Coach
Laurel is a professional civil engineer, wife and mother of two, a native plant enthusiast, and assistant coach at ENVY. While her collegiate experience has been in soccer, Laurel has been playing volleyball for 35 years, including both club and recreational leagues. She has been an assistant coach for her children's past soccer and volleyball teams. Her coaching philosophy revolves around ensuring that hard work is made fun. By instilling life skills including teamwork, discipline, accepting disappointment, and succeeding humbly, our youth will develop confidence that carries onto the court, field, and classroom. Youth coaching, just like prairie land management, takes dedication and patience, and there is joy in watching the incremental growth as our athletes bloom
Tricia Gwennap, ENVY Assistant Coach
Tricia has played volleyball for 20 years, throughout elementary-Present as an all around player. Of those 20 years she has coached for 5 years. Tricia participates in competitive sand and indoor leagues. Tricia graduated from Iowa Western Community College in 2015 with an associate degree in Arts. Tricia is hugely impacted by helping young adults. She found her passion right after high school when she was teaching a preschool class. After graduating college, Tricia worked at the University of Nebraska Medicine as a preschool teacher for 3 years. She then had an opportunity to become a nanny for a few doctors. This is where Tricia found her passion for coaching. Tricia started coaching as an assistant in 2018 and then she never looked back. Tricia then strived to open her own business and run an in-home day care and currently still running 4 years later.
Tricia is very driven to help coach volleyball. She is ready to help spread her knowledge that she has learned to make other kids be successful in the sport of volleyball. Tricia is a hands-on coach that loves to get in the game and play with the kids. She believes that when a kid sees a coach have heart and passion for the game it makes the kids have a heart and passion for the game. Tricia believes the game of volleyball should be fun but at the same time very educational. Tricia is a coach that is excited to learn new technique and coaches with an open mind.
Michael Brown, ENVY Assistant Coach
I've been in the volleyball community for about 5 years now. I started playing in adult leagues in 2019. I became a volleyball coach in 2020. I started coaching at the YMCA and have continued throughout the years. I began coaching club teams while living in Florida. After moving back to Iowa, I got into indoor and sand adult leagues which made me want to continue my coaching career. There are many things that contribute to a good volleyball player and a good volleyball team, but my main goal while coaching is to keep good communication and team work. I believe sports are a great way to teach kids more life skills in a way they can understand. To me, team work and communication are skills used all around the spectrum. These skills are helpful for school, work, every day life, and of course on the court in volleyball. Volleyball is an important part of my life and I want to continue to spread the love for the sport!
Skylar Huff, ENVY Assistant Coach
Skylar has been assistant coaching volleyball for 4 years. She has been around the volleyball community for many years. Skylar is currently in college at Bellevue university working towards an education degree. She has worked at Boys Town for 3 years and has a diverse knowledge about mental health and helping youth through problems.