COUGAR VOLLEYBALL COACHES

2026 SEASON

““A GOOD COACH CAN CHANGE A GAME. A GREAT COACH CAN CHANGE A LIFE.””

— John Wooden

Our Cougar Coaching family…

At Cougar Volleyball, we LOVE our coaches! These are the ones on the front line who invest in the person, then the athlete! These are the ones who take their time to work with each and every player to get them to the absolute best of their ability and then challenge them to go further. We value our coaches so much because this program doesn’t happen without them. They are an incredible asset and are what makes Cougar Volleyball special!

Below you will find information about all of our coaches for the 2026 Indoor Club Season! Thank you coaches!

GIRLS COACHES

12/13U GIRLS

James Tecson - HEAD COACH

James has almost 20 years of coaching experience in volleyball for highschool, club & adult skills clinics for indoor and beach. Having started coaching at Terry Fox Secondary for the Junior Girls & currently head coaching at Pinetree Secondary for the Junior & formerly Senior Boys Programs. James has coached numerous Teams that have medaled in Districts, Provincials & Nationals for Highschool & Club.

He has also coached basketball & roller hockey and is also currently serving as the Cougar Club Director. He founded Poco Volleyball in 2010, a community-oriented volleyball group that has a main focus of building community & promoting active living through the sport of volleyball for all ages.

12U/13U GIRLS

JOESELLE LOO - ASST. COACH

Having played volleyball all her life, Joselle is a dedicated member of every school team she attended as well as joining cougars as a player in 2023. Rising to the role of captain in both her school and club teams, she's learnt many values of the sport in addition to the ins and outs of a cooperative team. Joselle has earned two second-place medals in her tier at the 15U and 16U levels, and helped her team win first place in the Spring Women’s League season in 2025. She was awarded MVP two years in a row, followed by an athlete of the month recognition later in her high school career. In Grade 11, Joselle had assisted in coaching the SRT Grade 8 girls volleyball team—a role she plans to continue in the upcoming year. She had also been chosen as an All-Star player, representing some of the top athletes in each High School team.

Having grown up within the volleyball community, she wishes to further popularize the sport in order to create an even more positive, friendly, and exhilarating environment. As an athlete who seeks every opportunity to play, she hopes to inspire the same motivation to all young athletes climbing up the ranks of the Cougars Volleyball Club.

12U/13U GIRLS

DASHA OKONESHNIKOVA - ASST. COACH

Dasha has been part of the volleyball community for over 5 years. Majority of her time playing she has spent as an outside hitter, but she has some experience as setter and opposite as well. In the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Dasha helped her team secure two silver medals for their tier in nationals. During the school season, Dasha led her team to become district champions. In addition to this, she was awarded MVP. Outside of volleyball, Dasha enjoys badminton, tennis and reading.

As her enthusiasm brings her deeper into the world of volleyball, she strives to introduce a new generation to the wonders of volleyball and share her passion and experience. Dasha believes that a good coach helps not only in volleyball, but in life as well.

14U GIRLS (A)

YASHAR MALEKPOUR - HEAD COACH

Volleyball has been a cornerstone of Yash Malekpour’s life for 30 years, with 15 of those spent competing at a high level. Growing up in a family where volleyball spans three generations, Yash’s love for the sport runs deep. His journey through volleyball has not only honed his skills but also instilled a profound appreciation for teamwork, discipline, and the joy of the game.

Now, Yash is eager to share his passion and knowledge with the next generation of volleyball players. He is committed to fostering a love for the sport in young athletes, teaching them the skills and values that volleyball has imparted to him. With his rich experience and genuine enthusiasm, Yash is dedicated to guiding and inspiring new talent, helping them achieve their fullest potential both on and off the court.

14U GIRLS (A)

JACKIE MALEKPOUR - ASSISTANT COACH

Jackie began her volleyball journey 28 years ago, showcasing her passion and talent throughout high school. After taking a break to focus on her university studies, she rediscovered her love for the game through drop-in sessions. Competing against ex-professional and ex-collegiate players, Jackie honed her skills and deepened her appreciation for volleyball.

Now, with her children embracing the sport, Jackie is committed to sharing her love for volleyball with the next generation. Her goal is to ensure that young girls have the opportunity to learn, build their skills, and develop a lifelong passion for the game, just as she has.

15U GIRLS (A)

BRANDON KUKHTA - ASST. COACH

I moved to British Columbia in 2023, originally from Ontario. I am an avid hiker, gym goer, SOSSA Regionals champion in Discus, and of course, a Toronto Maple Leafs fan haha. I played baseball and volleyball throughout the entirety of my life. I have experience playing high school, club and recreational volleyball since the age of 13. I was fortunate to coach U13 baseball in my home town and I look forward to teaching and inspiring the youth of today.

Philosophy

I believe everyone has a hidden talent and it is the coaches responsibility to find that talent within the child. Persistence, hard work and self discipline always beats natural talent and the ability to keep trying after getting knocked down several times says a lot about an athlete. Ego is the enemy.

16U GIRLS (A) and

17U GIRLS (A)

SHUB WANDER - HEAD COACH

Shub has, and is still currently playing for over 19 years

-played highschool and club for multiple years as a rightside/ leftside

-played at UFV (University of Fraser Valley) as a leftside/rightside

-played professionally in Denmark as a rightside

-currently joined the Capilano Blues as a rightside/leftside

volleyball Coaching Experience - Shub has been coaching for 13 years

-coaching club for 9 years

-coached internationally as a club head coach

-coached a professional womens volleyball in Denmark and is on Team Canada Women’s Coaching Staff as well.

Team Philosophy: Anything and everything can be achieved if the time, passion and deliberate repetition with proper intent.

Make it stand out

**16U GIRLS (A )**
**SOPHIA VIRANI - ASST. COACH**
Sophia has been playing volleyball for around 10 years and coaching for 4 years. She first started playing for club and her high school team when she was 13, and later coached her high school girls team. Sophia joined the cougars coaching staff last season as an assistant coach and has gained a wealth of knowledge from the amazing girls and coaches she worked with!

She holds an abundance of respect and passon for the sport, the players, and the parents; she is also extremely excited to start the season off and watch them improve and foster relationships beyond the game. It is important for her that the players have fun, be safe, develop their skills in a healthy manner to maintain longevity, and grow as an individual and team.

Off the court, Sophia studies at UBC and is finishing up her degree in a Bacholers of Arts, she is also passonate about living a healthy lifestyle, being around friends, and learning new things!

16U GIRLS (B)

JAMES TECSON - HEAD COACH

16U GIRLS (B)

AMBER CARLSON - ASST. COACH

17U GIRLS (A)

KERRI MADSEN - ASST. COACH

Kerri is returning for her third year as an assistant coach with the Cougars Volleyball Club. She has been an avid volleyball player since high school and played 2 years with the JV squad at UBC. Kerri still plays both indoor and beach volleyball, and also enjoys playing many other sports like softball, golf and tennis. Kerri has 3 daughters who are all multi-sport athletes, and recently they have developed a passion for volleyball which has inspired their mom to get involved as a coach with both club and school teams. Kerri is grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community through a sport that has brought her so much joy and has played such a pivotal role in her life."

**17U GIRLS (A)**

**JASON HOWELL - ASST. COACH**

18U GIRLS (A)

CAREY DELANEY - HEAD COACH

Carey has been coaching and teaching for more than 14 years. He started his passion with teaching as a swim instructor and did this for over 8 years as a teenager. During that time he played high school volleyball and then continued to play volleyball for over 15 years as an adult. He has been coaching his daughters in volleyball for the past 5 years. He is an NCCP trained coach and will be starting his fourth season coaching U16 girls club volleyball. Currently he is in his second year as head coach for the SRT Junior girls school volleyball.

He really enjoys coaching. And his goal as a coach is to enhance the girls skills, knowledge, confidence and passion with volleyball while also watching them make lifelong friendships along the way. Cougar volleyball is a family, driven by the same goals of working hard, playing hard all while having fun. Last year their team was very proud to have brought home the first ever Cougar Bronze medal from provincials.

18U GIRLS (A)

AMANDA VALEN - ASST. COACH

BOYS COACHES

14U BOYS (A)

ANDREY FEDYUSHIN - HEAD COACH

Andrey is a NCCP Certified Coach and has over 30 years of competitive volleyball experience, starting as a youth athlete. Over the past 20 years, he was a captain of a number of teams in the Vancouver volleyball leagues and tournaments. Additionally, Andrey served as a referee with VolleyballBC for a few years, officiating high school and university games.

In his professional career, Andrey works as a System Administrator and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his three children and his wife.

Since 2022, Andrey has been coaching volleyball and is eager to share his experience and passion with young players this year.

14U BOYS (A)

EVGENI MAISEYEU - ASST. COACH

Evgeni joined the Cougar Volleyball Club coaching staff in 2022. With competitive knowledge and experience of all volleyball positions, he has the unique ability to provide any player with specific coaching based on their goals. Evgeni spent his playing career at Maple Ridge Secondary School as an Outside Hitter under Coach Darren Causon. Following their victory in the senior district championship, they finished 3rd in the Fraser North Zone playoffs after a grueling 5 set match.

His coaching philosophy is that those with a positive attitude who work hard and practice will become successful. For aspiring young athletes looking to become great volleyball players, the wall is your best friend: it never misses and always gives perfect passes back.

**17U BOYS - (A)**
**JOEL PESUT - HEAD COACH**
Joel comes with a diverse Coaching background with previous experience ranging from running atomic camps to Coaching for one of Canadas top collegiate programs.
Former Usport Assistant Coach with the TWU Womens Volleyball Program (6 seasons)
**Highlights:**
1 National Championship and 4 Canada West Championships
Former BC Summer Games and Team BC Blue Head Coach
Highlights: Cowichan summer games and Canada Cup 2018
**Previous Club Experience:**
-10+ Years Head Coaching at a variety of ages and levels.
-Highlights: Top 8 finishes Tier 1 Nationals at U18 (2018 and 2024)
-Best of the West Bronze U17 (2023) Silver U18 (2024)
-Provincial Silver Medalists U18 (2018 and 2024)
**Most Recent Club Season:**
-Division 2 Provincial Championship (U15 2025)
-Undefeated at U15 Nationals (Tier 11)
Joel is thrilled to be joining the Cougars program and looks forward to his role as program and technical director.

**17U BOYS (A)**
**CHRISTIAN BARTULIN - ASST. COACH**
Christian is a long-time volleyball athlete, and a passionate member of the local volleyball scene. With over a decade of experience playing competitively in both club and school volleyball, he brings a wealth of game knowledge and strategy combined with an understanding of what drives a player to strive in the sport. Placing emphasis on enjoyment and developing a love of the game in a safe space, he is looking forward to helping younger players evolve their passion and appreciation in an equally competitive and fun environment.
In addition, he is currently in school working on his bachelor’s degree to become a teacher. He hopes to one day translate his coaching experience and energy into the classroom, as well as help develop volleyball programs within elementary school.

18U BOYS (A)

WYATT THIESSEN - ASST. COACH