Head Coach

aheller@columbus.k12.wi.us

"Nobody whoever gave their best regretted it." -George Halas

Coach Heller has loved volleyball ever since second grade when she used to watch her older sister play. She continued playing throughout grade school and high school. In high school she was a three sport athlete playing volleyball, basketball and softball. After high school she attended University of Wisconsin- Platteville, where she played all four years. She was a setter and a DS for UWP.  She then wanted to share her love and knowledge of volleyball with others and started coaching club. Coach Heller coached club for 5 years before starting to coach high school volleyball. She coached JV at Columbus for one year and then took on the varsity team. 

Outside of the gym, Coach Heller teaches first grade for Columbus. She graduated University of Wisconsin-Platteville with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Early Childhood. She also loves spending time with her family, being a mom, and spending time outside. 

Coach Heller loves volleyball because it is an amazing sport that can change at the drop of a hat. No repetition is ever the exact same and being able to adjust to the chaos, physically and mentally, allows you to grow as an athlete and a person.

JV1- Coach

kkahl@columbus.k12.wi.us

"The difference between who you are and who you want to be is what you do today."   -unknown author 

"Never let the fear of being blocked keep you from swinging!" -unknown author 

Coach Kahl was a four sport athlete in high school, running track and cross country, competing in gymnastics and was an all-conference volleyball player.  She continued gymnastics in college but found time to play intramural volleyball and played in co-ed leagues after college.  After college she coached gymnastics for 15 years.  She got back into volleyball when her daughters started playing in third grade and coached youth recreational volleyball for 6 years.  She just recently got back into coaching at the high school level, this will be her second year as the JV volleyball coach and she is also an assistant track coach.  

As a parent of four kids who are all active in sports, she doesn't spend much time outside of the gym.  Her first degree from UW-Stevens Point was in Social Work and she worked in that field for a few years before her children were born.  She was lucky enough to be a stay at home mom and raise her children.  Once she re-entered the workforce, she went back to school and got her teaching license and currently is a Special Education teacher for the Columbus School District. Her family lives in Columbus with their two dogs.  She enjoy spending time with her family and friends, especially at the lake.  In the rest of her spare time she loves curling up with a good book or getting crafty, making signs and scrapbooking.  

In high school, 3 of the 4 sports she played were very individual sports, although there was a team score you could also be successful on your own.  Volleyball was different, you need to rely on your team for your success.  Once she started coaching again, she realized that although the way the game was played was very different, being part of a team hadn't changed.  She loves the energy in the gym during a rally and seeing the team come together as one.  She believes she still has a lot to learn about the way the game is played today, but she looks forward to the challenge and can't wait for the season to begin!

JV2 Coach

kimabean@gmail.com 

"Don't give up, don't ever give up." — Jimmy Valvano, quoting The Foundation for Cancer Research motto 

I have played volleyball for over 10 years, starting in middle school and continuing through high school. I also played post-high school through USA Volleyball Indoor and participated in recreational beach volleyball. This will be my first year coaching volleyball, specifically for the JV2 team. I decided to coach because I love the sport and our community. I am excited to work with student-athletes, guiding them through their high school journey and helping them develop their volleyball skills. Coaching JV2 provides an opportunity to help players improve their skills and prepare for the next level. I aim to continue strengthening their skills, attitudes, and love for the game! 

I am the Vice President at Robert Half, a technology talent solutions company, where I have worked for 21 years. Early in my career, I started coaching as part of my practice, helping onboard, train, and manage both internal and external staff. 

I love the speed and intensity of the sport. It accommodates a wide range of athletes, allowing many people to enjoy and participate