James started playing volleyball in college when he decided to check out the club team at UMD. He’s thankful he did, and has been in love with this beautiful game ever since! James continues to play both indoor and sand, usually with his lovely wife Jess. Keep an eye out for 1.5-year-old Zoey who will be a very good girl staying quiet and still while we're serving during matches this fall!

James has coached B-squad, 9A, and JV at Edina. He's also coached 13's, 15's, 16's and 17's at Vital Volleyball Club. He’s excited to continue to learn and grow as a coach, and feels very fortunate to be doing so again this year at EHS for the Varsity team! James would like to give a special shoutout to Mark Nelson who has been an amazing mentor and friend. 

Two Truths and a Lie: 

1. I met Teddy Swims at the Atlanta airport.

2. I saw a lion eat a zebra.

3. I won $10,000 for a hole-in-one.

Mark is currently entering his 8th season as the Varsity Head Coach at Edina High School and has coached at Vital Volleyball Club for 10 years.

Prior to coaching at Edina, Mark was the head coach for Washburn High school and St. Louis Park High School for 3 years each. He was also at Hopkins for two years prior to SLP where he help build a very successful feeder program – both as the Junior Varsity coach and as a coach for Hopkins Juniors. He also ran all summer camps/clinics and private lessons for Hopkins. Prior to that, Mark coached 5 years as the Junior Varsity Head Coach at Edina High School and 3 years at Mankato West. He also has 4 years of experience coaching Junior Volleyball for Edina. Mark has been on staff at St. Mary’s University coaching a competitive camp for high school girls as well as camps at Edina and Eden Prairie to name a few.

Mark’s coaching accolades include taking a Washburn team to a 31-1 record losing only in the section finals.  Additionally, Mark has led Edina to their first and only state appearance. These two seasons have given Mark two section coach of the year awards. 

Mark has played competitively outdoors in beach tournaments. He also played indoor at the collegiate level at Mankato on the men’s club team and then at the Men’s AA USAV level where in 2010, his team took 3rd at the USAV Adult National tournament.

This is Mark's 20th year as an instructor at EPS and his 13th year teaching math at South View. 

Anna played volleyball, basketball, and track throughout her high school career and was able to continue volleyball and track collegiately. She played volleyball for a total of 13 years before turning her focus to track and field at Hamline University where she is continuing to get her dual degree in Criminology and Psychology 

She has coached the 16-2 team at Freeze Volleyball Club, the 14-1 team at Vital, as well as clinics at Mettle Academy in Illinois. The 2025 season will be her second year coaching at EHS. She is excited to grow as a coach and very grateful to be doing it for the JV team!

Two truths and a lie: 

1. My mom had 19 cats growing up.

2. I was born with extra ribs and extra teeth.

3. I have family that lives in Germany.

Lesley’s love for volleyball began in elementary school and has never wavered. She played through high school, competed in intramural leagues in college, and has enjoyed both sand and adult recreational leagues ever since.

Her coaching journey began when her daughter joined a park and rec team, and she quickly discovered a passion for developing players and building teams. Lesley has coached for EVBA Club, MN Freeze 15-1s, and assisted with Edina’s 9A team in 2024. This season, she’s excited to work with the B squad girls and help them grow both on and off the court.

Off the court, Lesley works at KLC Financial and stays busy raising her two kids—Kaidence, a junior at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Bennett, a junior at Edina High School.

Two truths and a lie:

1. I was on a plane on 9/11 when America was attacked 

2. I can do a 360 on a surfboard 

3. I grew up with 4 brothers on a farm

Alexis Hart is from Kansas City, Missouri. Shortly after the current season, she will begin playing professional volleyball in League One for LOVB Nebraska as an Outside Hitter.

She first started playing volleyball in eighth grade, but she had been an athlete since the age of four, beginning with track and field. In high school, she was a triple-threat athlete: a two-time state champion in track and field, the 2014 Kansas City area’s “Best Volleyball Player” (the first junior ever to win the award), and a skilled basketball player. Going into her senior year in 2016, she committed to play volleyball at the University of Minnesota.

At Minnesota, Alexis built an exceptional career. She was a three-time All-American, a 2018 Big Ten Champion, a First Team All-Big Ten selection, and played in two NCAA Final Four tournaments, among many other accolades. After graduating in 2018, she played professionally in Germany for four years, winning two German Championships and competing against some of the best players in the world.

When the new professional volleyball league began developing in the United States, Alexis decided to return home to play on American soil. Unfortunately, in 2024 she suffered a knee injury that kept her out for the season, but she is now fully recovered and eager to compete in the 2025 season.

Before heading to Nebraska, Alexis is excited to share her knowledge and passion for the game by coaching the 9A team at Edina High School. She looks forward to using her professional experience to teach the next generation the fundamentals, technical skills, and love for the sport.

Two truths and a lie:  

1. I’ve met Pitbull.

2. I’ve traveled to every state in the U.S.

3. I have a bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing and Education.

Angie played volleyball throughout high school and in competitive women’s and co-ed leagues until years of jumping finally caught up with her knees.  She then fell in love with coaching while coaching her daughter at Nativity of Mary and Bloomington Athletic Association from 2017-2022.  She coached Nativity to one championship and BAA to two championships and a second place finish.  When her daughter started playing club volleyball, Angie, while cheering from the sidelines, found herself missing coaching.

Angie coaches the 15-Blue team at MN Freeze Volleyball Club during the 2024-25 season.  She believes in winning and losing with grace, working together, supporting each other as a team on and off of the court and growing as players and athletes.  Skill and attitude are both important for a well-rounded athlete.  She joined the EHS Volleyball coaching staff in 2024 as the Freshman B coach. She looks forward to working with the team!

In her free time Angie enjoys spending time with family and in Wisconsin on her boyfriend’s farm (1 horse, 2 cows, 4 barn cats and lots of hay).  

Two truths and a lie:  

1. I have milked a cow.

2. I was on Judge Joe Brown.

3. I love Big Red soda.