FOUNDER

Prior to starting Virginia Volleyball Academy in 2017, Coach Sam was the head coach for COT Volleyball from 2006-2014, Volleyball MD from 2014-2015, Dulles Volleyball from 2015-2017, and VA Juniors from 2018-2020. Having coaching experience from the U12 to U18 level, he helped coach several players to various NCAA indoor and beach programs. From 2011-2014, he was also a practice coach with CHRVA’s high-performance program.

Additionally, Coach Sam has experience coaching at the collegiate level. He was an assistant coach for George Mason University’s Men’s Volleyball (D1) in the 2015 and 2016 season. In his first season, the team went on to finish 2nd in the EIVA conference. In his second season with the Patriots, the team won the EIVA conference and placed 5th at the NCAA Men’s D1 Volleyball Championships.

At the high school level, he was the girls varsity volleyball head coach for Bethesda-Chevy Chase high school from 2015-2018. Within a year of leading the program, the Barons broke a three year streak of losing records with an outstanding 14-7 season. The 7 win increase was the biggest in MCPS in 2016. Each subsequent season since have broken school win record. In 2018, his high school team was undefeated in conference play, and won the division title. In 2019, Coach Sam stepped away from the high school program to spend more time with his newborn daughter, Chloe. Prior to joining BCC, he was the Assistant Coach at Walter Johnson High School (2014) and Wootton High School (2007). He was also Head Coach for the girls’ junior-varsity team at Thomas S. Wootton in 2010.

After 3 years of varsity volleyball at Thomas S. Wootton High School, Sam began his coaching career his Freshman year of college. While at Thomas S. Wootton, he won the County Championship (2002) and also played club for Maryland Volleyball Program for four years. Sam has had success playing in the USAV Men’s circuit, including being named MVP in 2011 and a 3rd place finish at nationals in 2015. Sam still plays competitively with USAV and enjoys playing 9man volleyball and sand/grass doubles over the summer.

Sam is IMPACT, Safesport, PCA, and BCAP 1 Certified