Meet the 2025 Coaches!
- Girls head coaches-
Jessica Hatfield
Varsity head coach
Jess has been coaching volleyball for 16 years. Both volleyball and basketball have had an incredible impact on Jess’ walk with the Lord. In high school she always heard “we need to play for Gods glory” but didn’t truly understand what that meant until playing at 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 having adventures with her growing little family, drinking coffee or trying new restaurants.
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.
Nick Oelschlaeger
Jv1 Assistant Coach
Nick has a great love and joy for volleyball which first started when he played club men’s volleyball in college. He has since coached for a middle school team. He’s excited to join the Lightning coaching staff with the level of play and the culture and attitude the girls carry. He looks forward to learning a lot himself as he helps the girls grow and become better athletes but most importantly have a great time! Fun fact: Nick’s spirit animal is a giraffe!
Rachel Cosby
Jv2 Head Coach
Rachel grew up playing volleyball watching her two older sisters play! She was blessed to be able to play herself for 8 seasons including one with River City Juniors. She has had an opportunity to learn to coach at the Volleyball Academy and an earlier season with Lightning. Rachel took a short break from volleyball to get married but took the first opportunity she had to get back into it. She writes, “Volleyball was a great way for me to learn how to face challenges, and how to celebrate victories while giving the glory to God. Volleyball also brought me a lot of my friends. My goal is to ensure a similar experience for the girls in the lightning program!”
Dan Friesen
jV2 assistant coach
Dan has been exposed to volleyball his entire life watching his sisters play and his mom coach. He joined lightning 3 years ago with the start of the boys volleyball program as a player finding great success with his team and eventually graduating in the 2024 season. He writes, “Now I want to pursue coaching not only to improve my own skills but to improve the skills of my players as well!”
- Junior High coaches-
Mia McNulty
jh8 Head coach
Mia has played volleyball for 8 years, 7 of which have been with Lightning. She writes, “Those 7 years have given me some of the best memories and best friends I could have ever asked for. I am so excited to coach and help give these girls experiences like I was so blessed to have.” She is excited to teach these girls that everything we do is for the Lord, no matter how small, and that we can glorify Him in everything we do everyday and especially that we can have fun doing it!
Katherine Kopsa
JH8 Head coach
Bio coming soon!
Molly Malone
JH7 Head Coach
Molly played with Lightning for two years in high school. She writes, “I loved the atmosphere and values the Lightning offers our girls.” She’s excited to now step into the roll of coach and spend time with girls who love the Lord. She’s looking forward to teaching girls to love the game of volleyball as well as deepening their walk with the Lord. If you want to know where Molly is when she’s not on the volleyball court she is likely in the gym or hanging out with family and friends.
Ady Aschoff
Jh7 head 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.