Coaching Staff

Coach Gail Sanchez

Gail Sanchez is a Colorado Springs native and graduated from The Colorado Springs School (CSS). She began playing volleyball in middle school and quickly developed a passion for the game. Having spent many years playing both recreational as well as competitive volleyball, Coach Gail began coaching high school girls volleyball immediately after she graduated from High School. She spent time with the C-Team and Varsity levels at The Colorado Springs Christian School, has worked a few seasons with the developmental programs at Hot Shotz and Colorado Summit, has also been a club coach with Colorado Summit, and is currently in her fifth year at Cheyenne Mountain High School.

Throughout her career, she has excelled in constructively challenging players at all levels. It is her intention to facilitate a spirit of sportsmanship, improve social development and encourage positive relationships between student athletes. She is a very passionate coach and considers it a privilege to teach the game she loves.

Coach Sanchez has lived in Colorado Springs and the Cheyenne Mountain community for the last 28 years. She currently has two kids that are attending school in District 12. Her family is very active and spends much of their time playing sports and enjoying time outdoors.

Coach Melissa Hansen

Coach Melissa was born and raised in Colorado Springs where she began playing volleyball in the 4^thgrade. She started playing club volleyball when she was 11 years old with Stellar Volleyball Club where her team attended the Junior Olympics. After Stellar she played for Pikes Peak and Colorado Springs Altitude. Melissa attended Mesa Ridge High School and played three years on the varsity team.

In her senior year of high school Coach Melissa committed to Long Island University - Post in New York to play Division II Volleyball as a Middle Hitter. In her time at LIU her team played in the NCAA tournament all four years and played in the Elite 8 her sophomore year. Within her 4-year career at LIU she was named All ECC Second team, All ECC Honorable Mention, and was player of the week 3 times. Melissa’s passion for the game and leadership led her to be captain of her team her junior and senior year. In her 2014 season she led her team and conference in block assists and total blocks and in 2015 led her team in kill percentage.

After college Melissa returned home to Colorado Springs where she tried her hand in refereeing for a season for RMR. Although she enjoyed being a referee her passion was to Coach the game she loves. She coached a developmental team for Colorado Springs Altitude as well as helped run Spring Clinics. This will be her first season with Cheyenne Mountain High School but looks forward to being a part of a great athletic program where she can help the girls grow as players on and off the court.

Coach Melissa graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration with a minor in Sports Management and currently works for Penrose Hospital. Outside family time, work, and volleyball Melissa enjoys hot yoga and being in the outdoors!

Coach Christy Ward

Coach Ward is coaching her 5th total year at Cheyenne Mountain High School. She has a passion for the game and wants to help high school players improve while having fun and being part of a supportive team.

In high school she played club with Arizona Juniors and was selected to the State 1st Team. She played at the Air Force Academy and was a four-year All Conference player including Freshman Conference Player of the Year. She holds the DII Academy all-time career records in digs and is second in total kills. She was selected to try out for the Woman's National Team and played on the Department of Defense (DoD) Volleyball Team for six years through the Air Force Sports program following graduation. As a DoD player, she competed as an outside hitter in the first Military Olympics in Rome, Italy.

Coach Ward has a Bachelor of Science in Management and a MBA from Bentley University’s McCallum Graduate School of Business. She separated from the Air Force as a Captain with her last assignment serving as a Management Instructor at the Academy. She currently has her own business as a Business Consultant focusing on supporting proposal work.

Coach Ward has lived in Colorado Springs for the last 20 years. She has been married to Bruce for 18 years. They have three boys in the Cheyenne Mountain School District.