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About the Coaches

Coach JVarsity Head Coach - Jacqui Wood 

 

First year as head coach, Jacqui Wood joins us in her 8th season at Mater Dei with over 12 years of coaching under her belt. She spent the past 5 years coaching for Foothill High School and currently runs her own training business, Iron Fit Strength and Conditioning and is competing on the professional beach volleyball tour.

 

"I feel I has a responsibility to teach more than volleyball; instilling respect, building confidence and helping guide these young girls to become exceptional student athletes."

 

Over the years Jacqui’s passion for the game has grown, teaching other important aspects of the game: strength, knowledge, and mind frame. Not only does she strive for her best but also she expects the same from her players. Hard work is necessary and with that’s comes opportunity and fun. Coach Jacqui has a go get it kind of attitude with tons of energy to go around. She believes in giving your all no matter the conditions or situation.

 

Jacqui played Varsity volleyball and Soccer at Foothill High School, earning All CIF recognition for both her senior year. She continued to play volleyball at The University of Missouri, at Kansas City on a full scholarship. She became the starting middle block by her 2nd year and holds a record for most blocks in a season with 89 and making the all league team. There she received a BA in Broadcast Journalism and minor in Psychology, child development.

 

If Jacqui isn’t in the gym coaching or training she is probably on the beach hanging out or exploring the beauty of the world with her fiancé. Life is too short to not enjoy it and do what you want.

Assistant Varsity Coach - Whitney Pavlik-LeVecke '02

Coach Pavlik has been selected to head the Girls Beach Volleyball program at Mater Dei. Whitney split her college career between Montana and UC Irvine, where she graduated from. At UC Irvine, Pavlik was named to the All-Conference team and holds the UC Irvine record for highest hitting percentage in a single game and has the 3rd best hitting percentage in school history.

“I am so excited and honored to be back at Mater Dei where my career in volleyball first got started. Being a Monarch I am familiar with the legacy, hard work and dedication that is engrained in every aspect of the school and I hope to continue that tradition within the beach volleyball program. Go Monarchs!” says Pavlik. 

Pavlik made her AVP debut in Dallas in 2007. She finished 2013 as her best season in the AVP, earning four top-3 finishes, including winning the Manhattan Beach Open for the 3rd consecutive year. Pavlik was also named the AVP Rookie of the Year in 2008, when she earned ten top-10 finishes. Pavlik has also had success in international competition. In her career with the USA National team she finished with five international medals and in her entire finishing career ended with 17 open championships and was named AVP best offensive player in 2016.  

In addition to coaching the Girls Beach Volleyball Team, Whitney serves as the Coordinator of Estate & Alumni Giving at Mater Dei. You can find her in the Office of Advancement & Alumni here on campus.