Coaches
Varsity Head Coach: Dan O'Dell
Head Coach Dan O'Dell begins his 11th year as head coach of the girls' varsity team, having coached the team to the 9 CIF Southern Section finals with championships in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2023 along with a California State Championships in 2018 and 2023. Both of those State Title seasons were capped off by being named Maxpreps National Champions as well. Under Dan's coaching, the Monarchs have won several tournaments, including the Queens Court (2013, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023), Dave Mohs (2013, 2016, 2018), California Challenge (2013, 2014), Volleypalooza in Austin TX (2021, 2023), Nike Tournament of Champions (2017) and the Durango Classic (2023). Dan was also named the Division 1 Coach of the Year in 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2023, along with Prepvolleyball National Coach of the Year in 2023.
Dan attended Penn State University, where he was starting setter from 2002-2006. He was an All-American his senior year and was All-Conference for all four seasons. He played and lost in the National Championship game in 2006, where he was named to the Final Four All-Tournament team. He also received an Academic All-Big Ten award for three years at Penn State while majoring in Industrial Engineering.
After spending two years as an IT consultant following graduation, Dan got back into the sport of volleyball by training with the Men's National Team during the winter of 2009. He played professionally in Portugal during the 2009-2010 season helping lead GC Vilacondense to their highest finish in club history.
Upon returning home, Dan began his coaching career at Mizuno Long Beach. He coached a top team at Mizuno Long Beach for 4 years, where his teams have placed among the nation's best. He is now a Club Director at Momentous VBC, having taken several teams to high national finishes.
Dan began coaching at UCLA in 2010 as a volunteer assistant. He was promoted to a full-time assistant in the winter of 2011, taking charge of the team's middle blockers and controlling the defense for the team. In 2011, he helped lead UCLA to the National Championship.
Dan lives in Long Beach with his wife, Alli, and their daughters, Olivia and Kyla, and son Connor. He grew up in Rochester, NY in a big family with four brothers, attending McQuaid Jesuit High School. He enjoys spending time with his family, watching sports, and playing games. He is also a big fan of the Buffalo Bills and Penn State football.
Varsity Assistant Coach: Crystal Day-Chitwood
Ashley is a Southern California native with a passion for learning, teaching, traveling, and volleyball. Playing volleyball for the past 12 years has led her to the great experiences of receiving scholarships at Cal State Long Beach, University of Hawaii and traveling to play professionally for Neuchatel, Switzerland. She was the starting setter in every match while playing for Neuchatel Switzerland. Over her career, she joined Misty May as the only 49er setter ever to have over 2,000 assists, 1,000 digs, and 500 kills. As a setter she recorded a rare quadruple- double v. UCR with 50 assists, 10 digs, 13 kills and 10 blocks. At the University of Hawaii, she was one of the sixteen entries for the National Collegiate Sand Volleyball Championships in Gulf shores, Alabama.
Out of her love for volleyball Ashley has created Ashley Lee Volleyball and is Co-Director of Club Green Volleyball. Both training programs for athletes to learn the skills she has accumulated over her career.
When Ashley is not coaching volleyball, you can usually find her cooking, eating, playing volleyball or playing with her puppies Broc-Lee and Char-Lee.
As a coach her goals are to teach these athletes good work ethic and the skills of volleyball. She is extremely excited to be a part of the Mater Dei staff. Her main goal is to make each athlete the best athlete they can be.
Jacqui Wood joins us in her 5th season at Mater Dei with over 10 years of coaching under her belt. She spent the past 5 years coaching for Foothill High School and currently runs her own business, Iron Fit Strength and Conditioning and is competing on the professional beach volleyball tour.
Over the years Jacqui’s passion for the game has grown, teaching other important aspects of the game: strength, knowledge, and mind frame. As a coach, Jacqui feels she has a responsibility to teach more than volleyball; instilling respect, building confidence and helping guide these young girls to become exceptional student athletes.
Jacqui attended Foothill High School playing Varsity soccer and volleyball for 4 years, making the All CIF team her senior year for soccer and volleyball. She earned a full scholarship to play volleyball at The University of Missouri, at Kansas City. 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.
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. 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.
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 boyfriend. Life is too short to not enjoy it and do what you want.
Bio coming!