COACHES | VVA Site

MEET THE TEAM

JENNIFER HOPE

CLUB DIRECTOR

I’m a Butte native who grew up coaching alongside my dad. A 3 sport athlete in high school, I went on to play college volleyball at Montana Western earning induction into the Western Hall of Fame in 2018. Taught and coached high school and club in Washington and Texas. Texas high school volleyball sits in the heart of the nation’s “volleyball belt,” and I had the privilege of coaching at Smithson Valley High School, a 5A powerhouse, while learning from some of the best coaches in the state, leaders who remain highly successful today. In 2019–2020, I returned to Butte as head coach for Butte High, taking the team to its first state tournament in over a decade. Now in my eighth year of club volleyball in Butte, I’m also a teacher at BHS and proud mom to Lyvia, an 11-year-old dancer and future volleyball player.

KYLE & ELIZABETH CRATER

18's COACHES

My name is Kyle and I love my family, the outdoors, and volleyball. I moved back to Montana in June of 2025 to start a new career and am very happy to be here. I first started playing volleyball competitively while attending Montana State where I played for 2 years as the starting opposite hitter for the MSU men’s club team. After graduating college, I moved to Michigan where I met my wife, Elizabeth, while playing in a beach volleyball league. Elizabeth and I played in lots of tournaments and leagues together and eventually ended up coaching 2 years of high school girls varsity volleyball before moving to Montana. I also helped launch a Men’s Volleyball team at the high school I graduated from during this time. When I’m not coaching or playing volleyball, I enjoy hunting, fishing, skiing, and spending time traveling and adventuring with my wife.

RAYNEE PACE

16's COACH

Hi! My name is Raynee Pace and I'm the coach for the 18s team. I grew up in the small town of Sunburst, MT, where I played 4 years of varsity basketball, volleyball, and track. After high school I attended college at the University of Montana and finished with a degree in Education. This is my 10th year of teaching (I am currently a math teacher at Butte High) and I have been coaching volleyball just as long... Everywhere from Hellgate High School to Harrison Middle School! Like teaching, I love coaching for the chance it provides for me to work with athletes of many ages and abilities. I especially love volleyball and the opportunities it offers athletes to be competitive, grow, and have fun.

ALICIA NORLING

14's COACH

Earned three letters in volleyball, two each in tennis and choir, and one in basketball while competing for the Helena (Mont.) High Bengals. Was an All-Conference pick in volleyball. Team won 2011 and 2012 Class AA state titles and finished third in 2013. Club team was Helena Volleyball Club. Went o UGF to play college volleyball. Coached 14's for Velocity Volleyball the last four years.

KARINA MICKELSON

14's COACH

Karina is most recently named head volleyball coach of the Butte Central Maroons. Karina is a standout athlete from Montana Tech playing 2018-2021 a first team all conference selection in the Frontier Conference and former professional player overseas. She brings a wealth of experience and energy to our program.

EMMA HANSON

14's COACH

5-foot-9 defensive specialist/setter from Billings, Montana, was second team all-state and first team all-conference for Billings Senior, as a senior. Hanson led her team as a setter to AA State twice in her high school career. While dominating athletics, Emma also excelled in her academics when she qualified as academic all-state for 2 years in a row. Played for Northwest College down in Powell, Wyoming. She played in over 42 matches, starting in 25. Hanson aided her team with 775 assists, 40 service aces, 187 digs, and 28 blocks. During her time at Northwest, she also quickly became the program record holder for most assists in a match with 61 assists against Otero College of Colorado.

DARBY HARRINGTON

14's COACH

Born and raised in Butte Montana. Playing for Butte High School all 4 years as a setter, right side, and defensive specialist my senior year. Tore my acl my junior year. Came back to the sport I love and contributed to Butte High's best season record in 8 years. Ending my high school career with academic all state in track and field all 4 years and 2 varsity letters in volleyball. Played club at Velocity Volleyball Academy for 5 years. Finishing my club career 3rd place at Big sky Volleyfest!

Coached 14's last season and is excited to continue her coaching career.

JAYCEE CLEVELAND

12's COACH

Hi! I am Jaycee Cleveland and I cannot wait to coach for VVA this Spring!!

I am a college freshman at Montana Tech, and I played volleyball for over 10 years. It is truly my passion!

I started playing for the YMCA in third grade, played for Butte High School and VVA, and I just finished playing in the NAIA Division at the college level in North Dakota. Although I am no longer playing, I learned so much from my experiences!