Head Coach Kim Lester
Kim Lester is in her seventh year as Head Women's Volleyball coach. The 2004 Mesa's Womens Volleyball team (22-5) completed its highest finish in the program's history finishing second in the state. In 2006, the Olympians qualified for the State Championship again and finished fourth. Over the past four years Coach Lester has culminated a record of 59-1 in Pacific Coast Conference play and the Olympians have been conference champions outright for the past four years. Coach Kim was also honored as the PCC Coach of the Year (2004,2006,2007) as well as the PCC Female Sport Coach of the Year (2004).
Prior to coaching at SD Mesa, she served as Assistant Volleyball Coach at The University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She has also successfully coached as either Assistant or Head Coach at Idaho State University, the University of Oklahoma, Saddleback College, San Diego City College, and Southwestern College. In these assignments, she has been known for her emphasis on developing good students as well as good athletes. She earned "Coach of the Year" honors at Saddleback College where her team finished 2nd in the state. She is also known for developing winning teams, resulting in numerous championships and titles.
Kim is a fomer intercollegiate player herself, playing for San Diego State University. She earned a B.S. in Physical Education and a Masters in Education with an emphasis in Physical Education from Azusa Pacific Univeristy.
Shannon Schiele, Assistant Coach
Coach Schiele will begin her first year as Assistant on Coach Lester's staff after spending two years in the Chiungutwa Village in Tanzania, Africa, as a United States Peace Corps Educator.
"My experiences with the people in Tanzania were something I'll never forget. I will miss my time there a great deal but am eternally grateful for the opportunity I was given," said Schiele.
Coach Schiele known for her enthusiasm, determination, and work ethic will be working with the setters and defensive players while assuming some of the recruiting responsibilities.
Prior to her time abroad, Shannon was finishing her undergraduate degree at Linfield College where she graduated with honors while earning her Bachelor's Degree in Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood and Elementary Education.
While at Linfield, Shannon played basketball and ran track for two years. She won the "Coaches Award" in 2004, the basketball team's highest award.
Prior to transferring to Linfield, Schiele was a two-sport standout at Mesa. She was voted All-Conference in 2002 as a member of the volleyball team while being named Women's Basketball Player-of-the-Year in the Pacific Coast Conference in 2002-03. She graduated in 2003 from Mesa with honors.
During her scholastic days at El Cajon Valley High School, Schiele played varsity volleyball, basketball, and softball while running track. She was All-Conference in volleyball and basketball while earning the Gold Glove Award as the Braves left fielder.
She graduated in 2001 with honors while receiving the Physical Education Recognition Scholarship Award.
In addition to her responsibilities with the Women's Volleyball team, Schiele will be working with Coach Mike Hootner as the Assistant Women's Basketball Coach.
"I am excited to come back to Mesa and give back to the two programs that I was a part of during my time at Mesa. I look forward to working with people who share a love for the great games of volleyball and basketball," concluded Schiele.
Schiele lives in San Diego.
Danny Hughes, Assistant Coach
Danny Hughes joins the Mesa coaching staff after an extensive playing and coaching career. A native of San Diego, Hughes played collegiately as a middle blocker at UC Santa Barbara. After graduating with a degree in English, Hughes competed in the Australian Volleyball League (AVL) for the 2003 and 2004 seasons. As a coach, Danny has helped guide his alma mater, Francis Parker, to their most recent CIF championships ('07 and '08). He has also been the head coach at Santa Barbara High School (JV), Francis Parker High School (JV), Club Santa Barbara (17-1s), and multiple local teams in both Santa Barbara and San Diego. In 2007, Danny became the Director of Beach and Bay Volleyball Club and enjoys providing the area's best coaching for aspiring local volleyball players. Danny also received his MBA from Thunderbird, School of Global Management in 2005.