Volunteer Staff

• Director

• Email: crexvolleyball@gmail.com 

• Bio: 

  • Devin Danielson has been serving up volleyball passion since the summer of 1995, when she kicked off her coaching career running Dig It Volleyball Camps alongside 2010 National Coach of the Year, Bill Morrin. Since then, Devin has coached for multiple clubs, led the Pine City High School varsity team (2013–2017), and even founded the Pine Club Volleyball program and its youth league for grades 3–6—both of which are still going strong today.

Devin’s volleyball journey started in 1993, playing for the legendary Crex program (the longest-standing club in the area). She continued through high school and competed for UW–Superior in 1996 before playing competitively until 2011. Some of her all-time favorite memories come from time on the court, especially the 1995 state tournament run her senior year.

• Coach

• Admin + Apparel 

  • • Nell coordinates all uniform and apparel purchases.

• Bio: 

  • A Grantsburg native, Nell Polzine grew up in the Grantsburg Volleyball Program as a setter, and during her high school career she was part of the undefeated 2002 State Championship-season. After graduation, Nell continued her playing career as a setter and captain at Fergus Falls College. She then went on to earn her coaching minor at St. Scholastica College, working alongside longtime Saints coach Dana Moore.

Nell has since shared her passion for the game through coaching. She has led 7th grade volleyball in Grantsburg for three years, coached JV for two years, and has been involved in spring league and club coaching for seven years. She especially loves helping players reach their goals, celebrating big plays, and—her favorite—seeing those perfect sets turn into game-winning hits.

Outside of volleyball, Nell wears many hats. She is a busy sports mom, a 2nd grade teacher, owner of the Blueberry Special Boutique, and an active member of her community. Her husband, Jared, serves as Dean of Students in the Pine City School District and also shares a love for coaching. He previously served as Pine City’s head track and football coach and now enjoys coaching their children’s teams.

The Polzine family is always on the go with sports. Their daughter, Maizie, an 8th grader, plays volleyball, basketball, and softball. Their son, Wyan, a 5th grader, plays football, basketball, and baseball. While daily life keeps Nell busy, she can’t wait to get back on the court—woo-woo-woo!

• Coach

• Treasurer + Scheduling

  • • Brenda coordinates all schedules and takes care of all our financials.

• Bio: 

  • • Brenda Alden has loved volleyball for as long as she can remember! She played all four years at Frederic High School, then went on to play beach, doubles, and intramural leagues at the University of Minnesota and beyond. She has coached 7th grade volleyball in Grantsburg and helped with Crex club teams for three years. What Brenda loves most is how volleyball truly takes everyone—hitters, setters, and passers working together—to succeed. She especially enjoys working with the girls, taking stats, and using game analysis to help the team grow. She’s excited to be back with Club Crex again this year!

Outside the gym, Brenda teaches kindergarten and stays busy with her husband, Chad, their daughter, Brook (who also plays volleyball), and their dog, Lacy. A Frederic native with strong Grantsburg ties, she was active in volleyball, softball, gymnastics, choir, band, and pep band in high school and college. She also once nannied in the Netherlands and even attended the wedding of a member of a famous rock band! Whether at the lake, fishing, or cheering on her daughter’s team, Brenda lives by the Golden Rule and is thrilled to share her love of volleyball with the next generation.

• Communication Coordinator

  • • Kim coordinates the website and helps players and parents easily access information.

• Bio: 

  • • Kim Hallberg grew up in Grantsburg playing in the Crex program with her sister, Katie, which makes this program extra special to her. She began coaching i n 2002 with Club Tonka and Simley High School’s JV team while in college at Augsburg, and later returned home to teach. She coached 8th grade volleyball for many years (who's counting?!) and Crex club volleyball as well. Kim loves seeing athletes work hard, surprise themselves with what they can do, and grow together as a true team. A former track sprinter, she has also coached varsity girls’ track and now coaches middle school track— her passion for being involved in sports and activities runs deep!

Life is a team sport at home, too. Kim and her husband Nick, a fellow middle school teacher and coach, have two busy kids: Lauren, a freshman involved in volleyball, basketball, and track, and Grant, a 7th grader who plays football, basketball, and track. Their dogs Dash (a black lab) and Leo (a shih tzu) keep things lively as well. When she’s not teaching 6th grade language arts or 7th grade social studies at GMS, Kim serves as Co-Executive Director for Grantsburg Watercross. Having been both a Crex player and coach, she’s excited to see the program continue to grow to the next level- and continue being part of it!

• Recruiting Coordinator + Position Specific Training 

• Bio: 

  • • Matt Noland serves as Crex’s Recruiting Coordinator and Position-Specific Trainer, bringing more than seventeen years of coaching and playing experience at the highest levels of the game. As a college athlete, he captained his team to a conference championship and was honored as Conference MVP before continuing his playing career internationally.

For over ten years, Matt has coached at both the collegiate and club levels, including four years as an NCAA Division I coach. During that time, he was a recruiting coordinator, helped develop multiple All-American athletes, and guided players who have gone on to play professionally.

Known for his player-first approach, Matt has trained every position on the court and takes pride in tailoring his instruction to meet the needs of each athlete. His recruiting expertise and skill development background continue to make him a valuable resource for athletes looking to reach the next level in their volleyball careers.

• Strength Training + Agility Coordinator 

• Bio: 

  • Sam Willis, born and raised in Grantsburg, has been passionate about volleyball since her school and club days. She played for Grantsburg High School, earning All-State honors and serving as team captain her senior year. Over the past several years, she has coached off and on, including as head coach for a 15U club team, and recently expanded her focus to volleyball during the summer while also coaching Grantsburg softball strength and conditioning. Sam loves helping athletes reach their goals, both in volleyball and in life, teaching how the lessons from practice and games—like adapting to unexpected challenges and maintaining a strong attitude—can translate beyond the court. She thrives on the fast pace of the game, where strength, speed, and quick reactions can make all the difference.

Outside of volleyball, Sam is a wife and busy mom to three young children: Reagan (4), Remi (1½), and Rhett (5 months). She has a twin sister who also played volleyball, and Sam previously worked as a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant before becoming a stay-at-home mom. A three-sport athlete in high school, she continues to stay active through running (she even completed a marathon with her second daughter at six months old!), hiking, snowboarding, hunting, and playing outdoors with her kids. Sam’s philosophy is simple: “Start from where you’re at, not where you want to be.” She’s excited to share her love of volleyball, her energy, and her experience with the next generation of players!

• Coach: CCV 14 Purple

• Bio: 

  • • Olivia Brock grew up in Grantsburg, Wisconsin, where she started playing volleyball in 4th grade and competed through high school- she was part of Deb’s 2018 State Team! She also played Crex club volleyball through grade 11, along with basketball and was a thrower in track. Olivia is a 2019 Grantsburg graduate who then went on to college in Moorhead, Minnesota. In 2022, she discovered her passion for coaching while working with the Grantsburg's class of 2028 as 7th graders. Olivia is thrilled to return to Crex. For Olivia, the best part of coaching is watching athletes hit milestones, grow as players and people, and, of course, cheering so loudly she sometimes loses her voice for the next week of work!

Now living in New Richmond, Olivia works as a project engineer for JE Dunn Construction and enjoys helping jobsites run smoothly. She’s also a proud dog mom to Ziggy, her three-year-old mini Bernedoodle. In her free time, Olivia loves being at the lake, spending time outdoors, playing cards, and cheering on the Green Bay Packers! She can’t wait to bring her energy and excitement to another great season with Club Crex!

• Assistant Director, Coach: CCV 11-1

• Bio: 

  • • Christina Cornelison brings a lifetime of volleyball passion and energy to Crex. Growing up in Webster, WI, she was surrounded by the sport thanks to her family of setters—including her mom, aunt, and cousins—and got her start as a team manager before she was even old enough to play. Once she hit the court, volleyball became a year-round sport, leading her through high school as a four-year varsity setter, one season at Superior, and later years of co-ed play at Eau Claire. Along the way, she’s coached for Northern Attack, Frederic, Siren, and Crex, building a reputation for her love of the game and her ability to push players to grow both individually and as a team.

Christina thrives on the scrappiness and quick thinking volleyball demands, but her favorite part of coaching is forming deeper relationships with her players—getting to know them not just as athletes, but as people. She loves creating a fun, focused atmosphere where athletes bring their unique skills to the court and discover just how much they’re capable of. When she’s not coaching, Christina is a Branch Office Administrator at Edward Jones, serves on her local fire department with her dad and husband, and spends as much time outdoors as possible—hiking, exploring trails with her dogs, or relaxing with some baking. With her first child on the way, she’s especially excited to share her passion with the next generation and continue building the strong, supportive volleyball community that has shaped her life.

• Coach: CCV 10 Purple

• Bio: 

  • • Becky Haug brings both experience and enthusiasm to Crex. A Grantsburg native, she grew up playing volleyball from 4th grade through high school, later continuing with intramurals at UW–Stevens Point, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Coaching. Becky has coached softball and volleyball for over 10 years, working with athletes of all ages, from club teams to middle school. Coaching started as a way to share the sport with her twin sisters, and today she loves getting to share the same passion with her daughter.

For Becky, volleyball is all about teamwork, trust, and the thrill of the game. She loves watching athletes grow—not just in skill, but in confidence—while celebrating the big plays and little victories that make the sport so exciting. Known for her upbeat energy, she’s excited to see the club continue to grow and can’t wait to be part of that journey.

Outside of volleyball, Becky and her husband, Trevor, keep busy with their two kids, Harper and Cooper, and their three dogs, Tank, Paisley, and Winnie. The Haug family loves traveling, road trips, and has set a big goal: visiting all 50 states by the time Harper graduates high school. When she’s not coaching or exploring, Becky works from home as a registrar for St. Croix Central’s Virtual Academy.

• Coach: CCV 14 Purple

• Bio: 

  • • Brooke MacKean brings plenty of volleyball experience and passion to Crex! A Grantsburg native, she started playing in middle school and went on to compete all through high school—including a memorable trip to the state tournament in 2018. For Brooke, volleyball has always been about more than just the game; it’s about the friendships, life lessons, and teamwork that stick with you long after the last point. As a coach, she loves seeing the moment when things “click” for her players and watching them grow both as athletes and individuals. She believes volleyball is the ultimate team sport and is excited to help her girls work hard, build confidence, and of course, win some games!

Off the court, Brooke lives in Grantsburg with her husband, David, her high school sweetheart. The newlyweds recently bought a home and enjoy fixing it up when they aren’t traveling, spending time on the lake, or hanging out with friends and family. A competitor through and through (she also scored 1,000 points in high school basketball!), Brooke loves being active, outdoors, and making the most of life. By day, she works as a commercial insurance agent at Jensen-Sundquist Insurance, but her favorite role is inspiring young athletes to love the game as much as she does.

• Coach: CCV 14-1 & CCV 16-1

• Bio: 

  • • Michelle Marek has lived and breathed volleyball for over 25 years, both on the court and as a referee at the state and international level. A Grantsburg alum who once played for legendary coach Bill Morrin, she went on to compete as an All-State athlete and even played while serving in the Marine Corps, where she was considered for the Olympic volleyball team. Michelle loves the fast pace and teamwork that make volleyball so special, and now she’s excited to pass that love on to the next generation of athletes. For her, the best part of coaching is watching players grow stronger in both skill and confidence while discovering just how fun this game can be.

Off the court, Michelle is just as busy! She’s a horticulturist, runs her own nail business, and co-owns a chiropractic office in Grantsburg with her husband, Joe. She’s also a proud mom of three—McKenzie, Isaiah, and Jeremiah—and the caretaker of 20 chickens and two cats. When she’s not coaching or working, you can usually find her fishing, gardening, or spending time by the water. Michelle has a great sense of humor (yes, she can wiggle her ears!) and a deep appreciation for life’s little joys. More than anything, she’s grateful for the chance to help young athletes find the same love for volleyball that has carried her through so many seasons of life.

• Coach: CCV 14-1 & CCV 16-1

• Bio: 

  • • BIO COMING SOON!

• Coach: CCV 12-1

• Bio: 

  • • Alaina Quimby grew up with volleyball in her blood and now brings that lifelong passion to coaching. A Grantsburg native, she started playing when she was just 8 years old and went on to compete for both Crex Club and the Grantsburg Pirates through high school, specializing as a libero/defensive specialist. She’s been coaching for several years—spring league, Pine City league, and now her second season as Grantsburg’s 7th grade coach. For Alaina, defense wins games, but the best part of volleyball is watching her players grow in confidence, teamwork, and love for the game. She strives to give back to the sport that shaped her, inspiring her athletes not only to succeed on the court but also to develop the life skills that carry far beyond it.

When she’s not coaching, Alaina teaches 3rd grade at Grantsburg Elementary and recently earned her Master’s in Special Education from UW-Superior. She and her husband Jase have spent the last year renovating their 110-year-old farmhouse, where they live with their two dogs, Olly and Emy Lou. A multi-sport athlete in her younger days, Alaina still loves to stay active through weightlifting, running, and the occasional half marathon. She also has a musical side—she’s been playing guitar for over 13 years! Whether in the classroom, on the court, or at home, Alaina brings energy, encouragement, and heart into everything she does, and she’s excited to watch this season’s team grow into a family.

• Coach: CCV 10 Purple

• Bio: 

  • • Heather Vilstrup grew up in Shell Lake, Wisconsin, where she played volleyball in middle school and high school before heading off to college. After graduating, she moved to Grantsburg, where she now teaches elementary students and will be focusing on reading intervention this year. Heather loves working with kids, helping them reach their goals, and seeing the excitement on their faces when they achieve something they’ve been working hard on. She is thrilled to be part of Club Crex and to share her love of the sport with young athletes!

Outside of the gym and classroom, Heather stays busy with her husband, Bryan, and their two kids, Bennett (7th grade) and Hallie (4th grade), along with their chocolate lab, Griffey. Hallie also plays volleyball, making the experience even more special for Heather. She enjoys running, boating on the lake, shopping, reading, and spending time with her family. With her positive outlook and belief to “assume good intent,” Heather is excited to bring her energy and enthusiasm to the Club Crex program.