Meet the 2024 Coaches!
- Girls head coaches-
Jessica Hatfield
Varsity head coach
Jess has been coaching volleyball for 15 years in the homeschool community and at the college level. Both volleyball and basketball have had an incredible impact on Jess’ walk with the Lord. She had always heard “we need to play for Gods glory” but didn’t truly understand what that meant until attending Calvary Bible College. While there she gained a passion for helping people understand ways to bring God glory with practical application. Jess hopes she can show girls just how life changing it can be when you bring God with you onto the court. When Jess isn’t coaching she enjoys doing adventurous things like traveling or indoor rock climbing, hanging with her husband, spending time with her 2 dogs, and drinking coffee.
Emma Swanson
jv1 head coach
Emma has been involved in the Homeschool Volleyball world for over a decade, playing for 6 years before jumping into the coaching world in 2017. She has led her own team since 2018 and has loved watching the girls grow as players and young women over the years. Her favorite part of coaching is being able to bring a group of girls together and help them learn how to work together, play competitively, and most importantly encourage one another no matter the circumstances. One fun fact about Emma is she was a part of the Omaha Supernova’s launch team and worked game days with them during the inaugural season!
Chris Woodhouse
Varsity Assistant coach
Chris has a true passion for coaching. Whether it be volleyball, basketball, business or just life in general, being part of the “light bulb” moments brings great joy and satisfaction to Chris. For over 22 years he has been a part of the volleyball community, coaching multiple teams, playing in A and AA level hardcourt leagues, and even playing tri-ball and other fun volleyball spinoffs. Chris sees being on the lightning coaching staff as an honor and wonderful opportunity to serve the next generation.
Emily Hoenig
Jv1 Assistant Coach
Bio coming soon!
Susan Swenson
coaching Advisor
Former Husker volleyball player, Susan Swenson has lived and breathed the sports world her entire life. With now over 25 years of coaching experience ranging from junior high to college, she’s come to help both coaches and athletes alike become the best that they can be!
Tasha Linnen
Jv2 Head Coach
Bio coming soon!
Anna Kuck
jV2 assistant coach
Bio coming soon!
Hannah Miszuk
freshman head coach
Hannah played volleyball for 8 years before graduating high school in 2022. As her years were coming to an end as a player she started pursuing the desire to coach and is very excited to be able to return the favor that she received as a player for so many years. She was positively impacted through volleyball by her coaches pushing her to be a hard worker, team player, leader, and most importantly to glorify the Lord on and off the court. Outside of volleyball she enjoys traveling, being outdoors and having serious conversations about the walk of faith.
Sophia Sheridan
freshman Assistant
Bio coming soon!
Maddie Miszuk
FRESHMAN ASSISTANT
Bio coming soon!
- Junior High coaches-
Jordan Shippy
jh8 Head coach
Jordan played volleyball with Omaha Lightning for 5 years. She discovered a love for teaching and looks forward to equipping her team for anything both on and off the court. “I’m excited to be able to step into the same role as those who had a positive influence in my life!”
Shannon Batchelder
JH8 assistant coach
Bio coming soon!
Rebekah Plummer
JH7 Head Coach
Rebekah had the privilege to play for Lightning 7 seasons and this will be her 5th season coaching since graduating.
She’s excited to help provide the opportunity to play an amazing sport with a new group of players.
Mike Padilla
Jh7 assistant coach
Bio coming soon!
- boys coaches-
Heather Heffernan
Boys varsity head coach
Heather has been playing volleyball since she was 10 years old. She’s coached elementary, junior high, high school girls for nine years, and now boys for one! She is excited to continue working and building the boys program at lightning. She wants to continue to grow interest in the sport for boys in the Omaha area. She says “The men’s volleyball game is so much different than women’s, and I’m excited to continue learning about this as a coach and teaching the boys that I work with.” Her goal for this season is to work with the boys and teach them basic volleyball skills, help them learn how to work effectively as a team, and to encourage them to take risks and push themselves to an even higher level of volleyball.
Carolyn Friesen
Varsity assistant coach
Carolyn’s love for volleyball first started as a player in both high school and college. When her own girls were old enough to play, she jumped right back into the volleyball world as their coach. She has coached with Lightning Volleyball for 14 years at all stages from Junior High to Varsity. After a brief break, her youngest son decided to give it a shot the second year of the boys program and Carolyn jumped right back into the coaching world this time as a boys assistant coach. She absolutely loves the sport of volleyball and enjoys being able to share that love with the next generation, boys and girls. She believes there are many invaluable biblical and life lessons that can be learned through playing sports. She is excited to help the boys learn and develop into young men through their experience at Lightning.
Jason Backens
JV head coach
Jason has had a passion for volleyball as long as he can remember and has spent years of his life studying and understanding the game. He loves to help others learn and finds joy when he can see them succeed. Jason has been coaching with us since 2021 and is enthusiastic about stepping into a new role as a head coach. He is excited to be a part of a program that is working to exemplify Christ and looks forward to seeing how the Lord will work in the lives of the boys he has the opportunity to coach. He hopes to encourage his players to have a God-honoring attitude, through both the wins and the losses.
Nathanael Dykstra
JV assistant coach
Bio coming soon!
Trey Swanson
Coaching Director & Board Member
Father, coach, player – all roles Trey has filled throughout his time as a homeschooling dad. He’s made being a part of his kids’ athletic journey a priority for 10 years. He’s coached his youngest son at Lightning Basketball, plays with his older son in adult basketball leagues, and enjoys coaching alongside his daughter, Emma, in volleyball. Trey values home school athletics for the the numerous Godly character building opportunities competitive sports present as well as the long term friendships he sees develop in the players.
If you or someone you know has an interest in coaching please let us know at: omahalightningvb@gmail.com
Our coaches are volunteers. Parents will be asked to help provide logistical support. If you feel you have a skill that you could use to help the program, please let us know.
Also, many of our coaches have full-time jobs (and/or are full-time college students) and are taking personal time from their families to support our program. Please remember this, and stay flexible. We stress to our players that all we do reflects who we are in Christ.