Meet Our Coaches

Kaleb VanDePerre

Kaleb is the director of VA Sand as well as coaching the year round program. Kaleb attended Liberty University where he played beach volleyball and has the highest ever men’s finish, placing 3rd at nationals in 2015 in Santa Monica, CA. Kaleb now coaches the Liberty men’s and women’s beach teams as well as the Liberty Men’s indoor team. His journey to grow the game has led to training under professional and Olympic players and afforded him many incredible coaching opportunities. He led the men’s beach pair of Knepper/DeJesus to a 5th place finish at the USA College Beach Championships in the programs first year at the event. Kaleb lives in Lynchburg with his wife, Piper and their son, Hudson.

Kaden Knepper

Kaden brings to the sand a great playing career and coaching resume. He has accumulated the highest wins total in LU Men’s Beach history and finished top 8 at the USA Collegiate Beach Championships in 2019. On the hardcourt Kaden led the Flames to a top 3 finish at the NCVF National Championships and was an all-American setter his senior year. Kaden currently is a volunteer coach with the Lady Flames indoor team.

Zach Martyn

Zach played indoor and beach at Liberty University where he helped the Flames finish 3rd in the nation at indoor nationals in 2018-19. As a member of the beach team Zach had numerous podium finishes around the East coast in NCSVA & AVPAmerica events. Zach is currently finishing his Master’s degree at LU and also coaches on the Men’s Volleyball staff.

VB Trost

VB is a volunteer spring & summer coach. As one of our initial year round program members and playing in our club for the past 3 seasons, VB has learned and lived our club culture. VB is committed to play beach at the University of South Carolina. In the sand VB is the top player in our area, receiving an invitation to play on the P1440 Elite Team last season. She loves being in the sand with the younger athletes where she serves as a great role model and ALWAYS brings the energy!

Rylie Rice

Rylie graduated from Liberty University with her Master’s degree in Strategic Communications and Graphic Design. While at LU Rylie played on the beach team for 3 seasons. Rylie finished her last season competing in the 3’s pair for Liberty and helped lead the Flames to their first ever dual win in Baltimore, MD.

Sarah Shanton

Sarah is a graduate of Jefferson Forrest HS where she had a stellar indoor career for the Cavaliers. She trained in the sand under Coach Kaleb for 2 years before playing indoor for ODU her freshman year. As a sophomore Sarah transferred to Liberty University and is currently a member of the Flames indoor squad. We are excited to have Sarah back in the sand in the Burg and can’t wait to follow her career at LU!

Mike Morrison

Mike has been around the beach scene for over 10 years, from the early days when he helped form and compete with Liberty beach volleyball all the way through coaching with the team today. Mike was on the inaugural men’s pair to qualify for nationals and trained under olympic goal medalists while in CA. He joined the coaching staff after graduating and still serves as a volunteer assistant. Mike is a seasoned hockey player/coach playing professionally in New Zealand and coaching the Liberty Men’s DII Hockey team to back to back national championship appearances.