Altitude Coach Bios

Mike Mazur - Executive Director
Mike is extremely excited to bring his love of the game of volleyball back to Northwest Indiana. He brings a wealth of experience to the program, having coached for over 12 years at the grade school, high school and club levels. Mike spent 6 seasons as both the Boys and Girls Varsity Volleyball Coach at Richards High School in Oak Lawn, IL, and also founded an extremely successful USA Volleyball Junior Club, which he directed for over 10 years before retiring to focus on his business career.

During his tenure at the helm, his teams were regularly among the best in the region, with several finishing in the top 10 in the country while competing in the USA Volleyball Junior Olympics against clubs from across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.   Mike also has received CAP I, CAP II and IMPACT Coaching Certifications

Mike stresses to all Altitude staff the importance of creating a "love for the game," regardless of the level of competition.  He is also proud of the dozens of former players he has coached that have gone on to coach themselves, enriching the volleyball community through a positive coaching style.

In addition to coaching several of the top travel teams at Altitude, Mike has also been coaching both boys and girls teams the last three years at St. Mary's Grade School in Crown Point.  In his life away from sports, he is the Vice President of Sales for an Internet Web Hosting and Services company, is happily married to his wife Tammy, and is the proud father of an 12 year old daughter/Altitude club volleyball player named Alyssa, a 2 year old son, Michael, who has already started setter training with Carey and Naveed, and a baby girl, Gabriella who almost has her spike approach down.

Michelle Thompson - Managing Director, Operations 
Michelle is the Head Girls Varsity Volleyball Coach at Hanover Central High School, and in 2007 coached the Altitude 12-1's team to a 7th place finish at the USA Volleyball Junior Olympics in Dallas, TX. She played USA Volleyball in the Great Lakes Region for UNO and Top Gun Volleyball Clubs throughout high school, and was named All Area/All Conference at Bloom Trail High School for Volleyball her Senior Year.

In addition to her work at Altitude and Hanover Central, Michelle has a wealth of past coaching experience, including Lincoln Elementary CYO Girls (2004-2005), 2nd City Club 12 and Under coach (1999-2001), coaching at Steger Recreation Volleyball for 9 consecutive years (Co-ed ages 5-14), and has an IMPACT Coaching Certification.

Michelle also heads up the Altitude Fundraising Program, organizing the efforts of those athletes that want to raise money to pay their club fees.  Outside of volleyball, Michelle is married and the mother of two girls: Lindsay and Kaily. She works for UnitedHealthcare in Chicago.

Carey (Nostrant) Yukich
Carey graduated from high school in 1989 and finished as a 3-time, 1st team Michigan All-State selection for volleyball, and a 2 time 1st team Michigan All-State selection for basketball. Carey continued her volleyball career at the collegiate level at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, competing in the Big Ten Conference, where she is still among the top 10 assist leaders in Wildcat history. After college, Carey competed at the women's USAV level with a team who was national runner up and USAV National champion.

Coaching and helping others achieve their goals are Carey's passions. She coached volleyball camps with US Men's Olympic Team and AVP Beach Tour legend Karch Kiraly during the summers through college, completed a volleyball coaching internship at Ferris State University, and was a graduate assistant volleyball coach for perennial Division II powerhouse Central Missouri State University. Carey also coached club volleyball for two years with 2nd City Volleyball Club, and has received an IMPACT Coaching Certification.

In 2007-08, Carey was the Head Coach of the Altitude 16-1's team. Carey and her husband John have two daughters, Jessica and Samantha.  She is a successful Certified Financial Planner, and helps coach her clients as well.

Bill Gray
Bill is the Varsity Coach at Munster High School, where he has been since 2002. Before joining Munster, Bill spent 6 years as the Lake Central High School Varsity Assistant Coach. Other coaching experience came as Indiana State University Student Coach for Girls Team (1986 – 1990), Kahler Middle School Junior High 8th Grade Team (1990-96), and as a club volleyball coach with Second City Volleyball Club (1993-96).

In addition to coaching volleyball, Bill has a certification in Sports Performance Strength & Conditioning, a USA Weightlifting Club Coach Certification, and has been a Strength & Conditioning Coach at Omni’s Athletic Development Specialist & Midwest Weightlifting Club for over 5 years. Away from the court, Bill teaches at Kahler Middle School in Dyer, and has been a Schererville Firefighter & EMT for the past 12 years.

Bill heads up the strength and conditioning program for Altitude athletes, and helps players to reach their peak performance and avoid injury by a full program of stretches and excercises designed to optimize their experience.
 
He is married to his wife Tina, and his son Drew plays for Altitude as well. Bill has his USA Volleyball Impact Certification and a CAP I Certification.  In 2007-08, Bill coached our 18 Black team, and worked with all of our high school teams overseeing their performance training and conditioning.  

Naveed Nizam - Director, Coaching and Player Development
Naveed is a longtime club and high school volleyball coach. He was formerly the Girls Varsity Coach at Munster High School, winning several sectional championships there. In addition, he also spent 5 years as the Varsity Coach for Bishop McNamara in Illinois. Other coaching experience was as the Girls JV Coach at Andrean High School, the Girls Assistant Coach at St. Xavier University, and also the Boys Volleyball Coach at Marist High School.

Naveed has CAP I, CAP II and IMPACT Coaching Certifications, and spent his early club career coaching the elite girls and boys teams from 2nd City Volleyball Club.  He helped increase club volleyball's popularity in Northwest Indiana by running his own club, Northwest Indiana Elite. Many of his former players have gone on to very successful collegiate careers at top programs across the nation.

In 2007-08, Naveed coached the 14 Black team, earning a bid to the USAV JUnior Olympics, and also finishing third at the Asics Junior National Championships. 

In his role as Director of Player and Coaching Development, Naveed works with our coaches and all of our girls teams to bring consistancy in philosophy and training across our entire club, bringing his experience to help all of the levels of our program. 

Amber Alm
Amber has had a long and successful career in volleyball, and is the Varsity Volleyball Coach at Lake Central High School.  Prior to joining LC, she was the Varsity coach at Andrean High School as well.

In the past, she coached for Northwest Indiana Elite Volleyball Club, and also ran her own Club:  Firebellys.  As a player, Amber excelled at Andrean High School, and played USA Club Volleyball with Sports Performance Volleyball Club, after which she went on to play in college. 

Amber also has her USA Volleyball IMPACT Certification, and will be coaching at the high school level this year with Altitude.


Linda Wilson
Linda has been coaching middle school and high school level volleyball since 1989. She is currently the Junior Varsity coach at Merrillville High School, and in the past has held JV coaching positions at Andrean High School and Morton High School.  She has also been a club coach with 2nd City Volleyball, where she completed the IMPACT training and the ASEP/NFHS coach’s certification program.

In 2007-08, Linda coached the Altitude 14 Red Travel Team.  In the past, Linda coached for 6 years in the Dunes Volleyball program at both the high school and middle school levels. In addition to her coaching, she has continued to play competitive volleyball in several women’s and coed leagues in the region, and in the USAV Women's division.  

As a player, Linda has competed over 16 times at the USA Volleyball Adult National Championships, winning 10 medals and receiving an all-tournament team award. She also competed with a Canadian team in 2005 at the World Masters Games in Edmonton, Canada.

Outside of her love of volleyball, Linda works in the medical equipment industry. She cherishes her time with her daughter, son and four grandchildren.

Nikki DeMik

Nikki coached the Sophomore girl’s volleyball team at Illiana Christian High School this year, and was also the setter’s coach as well.  She graduated from Illiana Christian High School, where she played at all 3 volleyball levels as a setter her entire volleyball career.  While playing at Illiana, she made several All Tournament teams, including the Manteno Classic Invite and the Rich South Tournament.  She was also named “Prep Athlete of the Week” in 2003, an award sponsored by Pepsi and the Times Newspaper.  She also received the All Areas Girl’s Volleyball Team Award, and led her team to state that year.

In addition to her volleyball achievements at Illiana, she is very proud to have received the Sportsmanship Award as well.  This award was given to a person who “displayed exemplary Christian character in sustained commitment to faith, school and team.  She also received the Girl’s Physical Education Award at Illiana Christian High School.

After High School, Nikki went on to pursue a volleyball career and academic schooling at Anderson University where she played there for 2 years on the Varsity team.  During the 2004-2005 season at Anderson University, as a freshman, she received the All Tournament Setter award at the Millikin Invite.  She also made the All Tournament team of the HCAC (Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference), and was named the All Tournament Setter at the Kalamazoo Tournament. She received the most improved player award as a freshman from Anderson University, setting a school record for setting assists per game. She was also ranked 14^th in the NCAA Division III Women’s Volleyball for most assists per game

During her sophomore season, Nikki received the Academic All Conference Award from the HCAC conference, and was nominated to Second Team All Conference. She was ranked 26^th in NCAA Division III Women’s Volleyball for assists per game (11.90)

While in high school, Nikki played for Aces Volleyball Club and Attack Volleyball Club. She has her Bachelor in Arts Degree from Anderson University,  and is currently substitute teaching in the Lake Central School District and at Illiana Christian High School. She plans to go back to school for a masters degree in elementary education or special education.

She states she has a tremendous passion for the game, and hopes to instill her excitement and passion in those that she coaches.  

 

Tina Tinberg

Tina has had a longtime, successful volleyball career.  She played collegiate volleyball at the University of Colorado, where she was a 3 time All-Big Eight player, team captain, and team MVP.  In her junior year, she was named to the Honorable Mention NCAA All-American team. 

In the Summer of 1987, she trained at an elite training camp at the Olympic Training Center with the top 36 recruits in the country.  In 1989, she competed in the Olympic Sports Festival in Oklahoma where she was the team captain of the "North" team.  At the end of her senior year, she was again invited back to the Olympic Training Center to try out for the Olympic "B" team. 

Tina started playing with Windy City Volleyball Club in 6th grade, where she won several team championships.  She was named MVP in 1985 at both Junior Olympics and the AAU Championships.  Tina attended Thornwood High School, where she played varsity all four years.  She was a 2 time All-State player, and also named All-Midwest in 1986.  Tina was also inducted into the Hall Of Fame at Thornwood, and was also the recipient of the "Milky Way Bar" High School All-American award.

Tina currently still plays in area leagues and occasional tournaments.  Her greatest joy comes from watching her twin daughters Taylor and Danielle initiate their career in the great game of volleyball that has given so much to her. 

Outside of volleyball, Tina has a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology.  She and her husband Chris own and operate Blinds Unlimited, their family business.  They have four children, Jake, Taylor, Danielle and Brooke. 

Matt Zima
Matt has been coaching USA Club Volleyball since the early 90's.  Previously, he coached for 2nd City and Synergy Volleyball Clubs, and has also coached at the college level for Indiana University Northwest.  He works for Volleyball Professionals, a company founded to train and conduct tournaments for volleyball players.

Matt has CAP I and IMPACT Coaching Certifications, and will be pursuing his CAP II Certification this year.  He also actively plays in several leagues throughout the area.

Julie Frey
Julie is the Varsity coach of the Boys Varsity Volleyball team at TF North High School, where she also teaches.  She has been a long-time coach at St. Michael's School in Schererville, and is well known in the CYO ranks.

Julie has her IMPACT certification, and regularly attends coaching clinics to further enhance her skills.  For the 2007-08 season, Julie coached a team with the 12 and Unders.


Suzanne (Gardner) Downing
Suzanne graduated from Lowell High School, class of 1997, where she was a Varsity Volleyball, Softball, and Basketball player as a freshman. While attending Lowell, she and her teams won the following honors: Volleyball - NWHC Champions, Sectional Champions & Regional Runners-up. Softball - Pre-season All State shortstop nominee. Basketball - NWHC Champions, Sectional Champions & Caston Tourney, All Tourney team.

She was a Women’s collegiate volleyball player at Saint Xavier University (2001-2004) under Head Coach Robert Heersema, and a recipient of the SXU Volleyball MVP Award in 2004. She also played collegiate softball at Saint Xavier University (2002-2003) under Head Coach Myra Minuskin.

Suzanne is also a Scholar Athlete, National Honors Society, and Sigma Tae Delta. Her coaching experience is as follows: Nike summer camp instructor for 3 consecutive years on the campus of Saint Xavier University (girls 10-18,), USA Volleyball Junior Club Head 16 & under coach for Northwest Indiana volleyball club (1999-2003), and Marist High School's Head Freshman (boys) volleyball coach – 2003. Suzanne also has completed USA Volleyball's IMPACT Certification.

Outside of volleyball, Suzanne holds a bachelors degree from St. Xavier University, and currently works in the Marketing Department ath the Bible League International Headquarters in Crete, IL.

Jessica Bell
Jessica played college volleyball at Taylor University, and played her high school volleyball at Kankakee Valley High School. While in high school, she played club volleyball for Dunes from 1996-98. Jessica is the head coach for Crown Point Christian School’s girls and boys volleyball program (since 2003), and plays in many leagues throughout NW Indiana and Illinois.

During the 2006-07 season, Jessica was the Head Coach of the Altitude 10/11 and Under Developmental teams.  Outside of volleyball, Jessica lives in Crown Point, and teaches 5th grade & Middle School computers at Crown Point Christian School.

Kat Hnol
Kat is a longtime coach, and currently works with the Volleyball Professionals, a company founded to train and conduct tournaments for volleyball players.  In addition, Kat runs the volleyball skills clinics at the Courts of Northwest Indiana in Valparaiso, where she also does private lessons in hitting, passing, and defense.  

For the 2007-08 season, Kat coached our 13/14 Valpo Travel team, and also worked with the Altitude 13 Black team as well.

Outside of volleyball, Kat has just completed her Masters in Sports Management from Valparaso University.

Jenn Barta
Jenn is currently the Freshman Head Coach at Lake Central High School.  She played her high school ball at Morton High School before going on to play at the Unversity of Evansville. 

While in college, she coached club volleyball for several seasons.  Outside of volleyball, she teaches in the Lake Central School system.  Jenn coached a 14 and Under Travel team for the 2007-08 season. 

Meg Maynard

Meg lettered in volleyball, track and diving at Valparaiso High School, and garnered Gatorade Player of the Year and Post Tribune and Vidette Times Player of the Year honors while in High School.  She also received first team All-State as well as conference MVP honors as a senior.

Meg led Indiana class 4-A high schools in kills as a senior and sophomore, and was named to the Indiana All-Star team in 2002.  She was voted all-conference and all-area as a junior, and Offensive Most Valuable Player in 2001.  After becoming the first freshman to make and start on the varsity volleyball team, she earned 12 letters during her high school career, the most by any VHS female athlete

During her club career, she played for Dunes Volleyball Club from 2001 to 2004 as a middle blocker and outside hitter, playing on elite travel teams all 3 years. During that time, her Dunes 15-1 elite team finished 19^th nationally at Salt Lake City at Junior Olympics, and she won the 2002 Big Cannon Hitting Award in Salt Lake City.

While in High school, she attended several camps at Michigan State and Ball State, the latter of which she was named MVP at the Ball State Camp in 2002.  After high school, she received a full ride to the University of Texas at El Paso.   

After a great Freshman season at UTEP where she ranked second on the team in kills per game, she sat out her sophomore year with a back injury and shoulder surgery.  Upon returning her Junior year, she made switch from outside hitter to defensive specialist playing in all 99 games that year.  

After getting shut down again due to back surgery her senior year, Meg turned her focus to coaching, helping with her college team.  She also coached for Sun Spots Volleyball Club in El Paso, Texas before returning back to the Chicagoland area. 

Carrie King
Carrie is currently the Freshman Girls coach at T.F. North High School, and also spent three years coaching at Crete-Monee High School. 

While teaching in England, Carrie organized an after school volleyball program for Bognor Regis students.  She has also coached three years of club volleyball, and co-taught a class "Volleyball for Beginners" while at Indiana Unviersity.

Outside of volleyball, Carrie is a Math teacher at T.F. South High School and is pursuing her master's degree in IT in Education.

Craig Marek
Craig is currently the Varsity Girls Volleyball Coach at Rich Central High School in Olympia Fields.  He has been coaching volleyball and basketball for the last 11 years. 

He has coached club volleyball for Chicago's Finest Volleyball Club, and was the head girl's basketball coach for 5 years at Kankakee High School as well as the head volleyball coach.  

Craig is a Physical Education teacher who enjoys coaching and playing numerous sports.  He is married to his wife Nina and has two children- Hailee and Trey.  

Alexandria Pappas
Alex is the Head JV and Assistant Varsity coach at Beecher High School, and is also the head coach of the volleyball program at Crete-Monee Middle School.  She began her coaching career at Champaign Central High School as the Assistant Varsity and Head JV Coach. 

She is a graduate of Beecher High School, where she was a four-year member of their varsity program. During high school, she played USA Volleyball year round.  Alex is a graduate of the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, with a degree in Secondary Education-English. She teaches 7th grade English Language Arts at Crete-Monee Middle School.

Alex played volleyball at Elmhurst College and Parkland College as a member of their Varsity program, and then became a member of the Illinois Women's Club Volleyball team upon her arrival at the University of Illinois.   She received regional and national recognition during her 2004-05 season at Parkland College after her team was one win away from the Nationals after a re-building season.

Other volleyball awards received are:  River Valley Scholar/Athlete Award: 2003, Beecher High School, Beecher High School Athlete of the Year, 2003, River Valley First Team All Conference, (Volleyball) 2003, First Team All Area by the Daily Journal Newspaper (Volleyball), 2003, Best All Around Player by the Daily Journal Newspaper (Volleyball), 2003, Most Outstanding Player, Kankakee Community College, Senior Showcase, 2003, Collegiate Conference of Central Illinois: First Team All Conference, 2004 (Parkland College), Collegiate Conference of Central Illinois: Player of the Year (Parkland College), 2003, First Team All-Regional Team from Region 24 (Parkland College, 2004), First Team All Regional Tournament Team from Region 24 (Parkland College, 2003), Captain, Parkland College Volleyball Team, 2004, Distinguished Academic All-American (National Honors) for Parkland College Volleyball, 2005,

She says that volleyball has always been a passion of hers, and she is excited to instill that passion into young and aspiring volleyball players!

Brian Erminger
Brian is formerly the Varsity Coach at Hammond High School and Whiting High School, and also coached collegiately at Calumet College.

He has had an accomplished club coaching career, with over 12 years of coaching elite boys and girls teams.  Brian coached for Synergy Volleyball Club, taking his 15 and Under team to a 3rd place finish at Junior Olympics, losing to eventual champion Puerto Rico in 3 games.

Most recently, he has coached the 18-1's girls team for Beverly Blue Smoke out of Evergreen Park for the last several years.  He also plays in volleyball leagues regularly, and his positive coaching style and love for the game is evident in the success of the athletes who play for him. 


Dave Rodriguez
Dave has coached the last several years at the 8th grade level in the Lansing Old Timers Summer Volleyball League.  He also has previous experience as a coach at St. Ann's.  He has also been active in coaching other youth sports such as basketball and baseball. 

For the 2007-08 season, Dave coached at both the 14 and Under and 16 and Under levels.  Outside of coaching, Dave is Director of System Operations for Metra.