Jason Rhine - Seattle Pacific
During his first season as Seattle Pacific’s head volleyball coach in the fall of 2022, Jason Rhine saw the possibilities – and worked toward making those possibilities a reality.
In 2023, reality came bursting through in a big way.
Rhine guided his highly talented and experienced team to the Great Northwest Athletic Conference title and a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Both of those milestones were reached for the first time since 2011, as the Falcons went 22-5 overall and 16-2 in GNAC play. They led the conference standings from the first weekend all the way through the last one.
Bobby Blanken - Colorado Christian
2017 was Bobby Blanken's first season as Colorado Christian's Head Volleyball Coach. In his first year, Coach Blanken led the team to a conference record of 14-4 which landed a 4th place conference finish which allowed the program to host an RMAC Tournament match for the first time.
During his seasons with the Cougars he has coached many all-conference players as well as an All-Region and All-American player in Sophia Proano. He has qualified the Cougars for the RMAC Tournament in seven of his first eight seasons.
Before Colorado Christian, Blanken served as MSU Denver's Head Assistant Coach since 2014. In his three-year stint at MSU Denver, Blanken helped lead a very successful program that went 18-0 in the RMAC in 2016.
Prior to coaching at MSU Denver, Blanken was the Head Women’s Volleyball Coach at The Master’s College in Santa Clarita, CA from 2010-2014. During his time at The Master’s College, Blanken successfully built the program from a 7-22 first year record to a No. 6 NAIA finish in his final year. Blanken was named the 2012 AVCA West Region Coach of the Year and 2012 Golden State Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. At The Master's College, Blanken totaled a record of 87-56 (.608).
Jamie Ashmore - Grand Valley State
Jamie Ashmore played at GVSU from 2005-2008. She was a four-year starter for the Lakers, where she led the team to its 2005 NCAA Division II National Championship. She was recognized as an All-American and earned First Team All-Region and All-GLIAC honors during her campaign at GVSU. During her junior and senior years, she was also recognized as the Most Valuable Player during the GLIAC conference tournament.
Ashmore returns to the program after spending the last 10 years coaching for the Indiana University South Bend Titans. She led them to four winning seasons and had 15 Titans named to CCAC All-Conference teams. During her tenure at IUSB, she led the program to three CCAC Championships and two NAIA National Tournament appearances.
Brian Imperiale - Tampa
Brian Imperiale is in his tenth season at UT after being hired as the top assistant in the spring of 2013. He was promoted to associate head coach following the 2021 national championship.
Brian directs recruiting efforts and opponent scouting as well as assisting with all coaching aspects. As a Spartan, he sports an overall record of 160-43, and a winning percentage of .788.
Imperiale helped guide the 2021 team alongside head coach, Chris Catanach, to capture their fourth National Championship with a 3-0 sweep against Washburn University. The Spartans finished first in the SSC with a 34-2 overall record and five Spartans were selected for the 2021 AVCA and D2CCA All-South Region teams. Imperiale mentored Taylor Fosler, who finished the season as the NCAA Division II statistical champion in hitting percentage.
Ryan Young - Missouri - St. Louis
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Enters 15th season with the Tritons program, including 14th as head coach in 2024 after serving as an assistant coach for one year.
In 13 seasons at the helm of the program, he is 264-132 (.667).
Prior to his appointment at UMSL, served as a club coach for St. Louis High Performance, where in each of his six seasons as a head coach, he directed his teams to qualify for the Open Division in Junior Olympics. Young also coached his teams to top 10 finishes in the Open Division in 2007 and 2008.
Other coaching experience includes two years as an assistant at St. Louis College of Pharmacy and as an assistant at CBC High School.
COACHING HONORS
2019 GLVC Coach of the Year
2022 GLVC and AVCA Midwest Region Coach of the Year
2023 GLVC and AVCA Midwest Region Coach of the Year
