CLUB DIRECTOR/OWNER

Grant Roberts

• Buckeyefire Head Coach and Club Director - 20 years

• Travel Softball Coach - 4 years

• CYO Volleyball & Basketball Head Coach - 2 years

• Recreational Tee Ball/Baseball Coach - 2 years

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Grant has spent most of his adult life dedicated to coaching and raising female athletes and mentoring young, up and coming coaches. He has a high energy, confidence building, positive approach to coaching that focuses on life lessons through volleyball. Over many years he has placed many players into college scholarships and remains a mentor to many of his alum players who now are very successfully contributing to society and their very own families. He carries this philosophy throughout the club and has no immediate plans for retirement. Grant and his wife Karen are the proud parents of two successful adult children (Grant and Meagan).

CLUB ADVISOR/OWNER

DAVE WATROBA

• Buckeyefire Assistant Club Director 18 Years

• Buckeyefire Assistant Coach for over 12 years

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Dave is the innovator of our club processes. Dave has worked closely with Alexis to keep our club ahead of the curve by teaching and coaching Alexis in our best business and response policies.  Dave has trained and continues to advise our younger admin staff to assure Buckeyefire philosophy and careful organization can live on for many years to come!  Dave had three of his kids play for Buckeyefire (Kelsey and Riley). Dave is married to his wife Kim and they have been married for over 31 years.

DIRECTOR OF COACHES/OWNER

17 WILDFIRE HEAD COACH

John Smoleny

• Buckeyefire Head Coach - 17 years

• Nordoina HS Varsity Assistant - 5 years

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John is one of the clubs most beloved coaches! He not only has a super positive approach but is easily one of our most animated and enthusiastic coaches on the side lines. His years of experience has contributed so much to so many successful young ladies.  John knows the game, and he knows the kids.  You can’t ask for more than that. John has been married to Paula for 38 years and they have two successful adult daughters (Katie and Angela) whom he is very proud of, along with his first grandson and dog Gracie! He is just another example of commitment in our club where you’ll find this type of stability and longtime relationships throughout!

12 STARTFIRE HEAD COACH

17 WILDFIRE ASSISTANT COACH

Holly Vertock

• Streetsboro Varsity Head Coach - 2 yrs

• Hudson JV Head Coach - 3 yrs

• Nordonia JV Head Coach - 8 yrs

• Buckeyefire Head Coach - 13 yrs

• Volleyball Development Camp - 3 yrs

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Holly has been with Buckeyefire for over 12 years and considers the club to be family. She says Buckeyefire has supported her through the birth of her  twins and always makes sure family comes first. Throughout her years of coaching and being a working mom, she says, the club has supported her every step of the way and club is devoted to doing what’s right and stands by their coaches and players. Holly's coaching philosophy is simple; "I believe a positive environment is crucial for players; mistakes happen but it’s how we move forward and figure out how to make it better the next time. We lose as a team and win as a team, coach included. I believe in building relationship with players in a positive and trustworthy way. Positive relationships with players has results in many previous players moving on and becoming my assistant coach." Over the years Holly has had multiple assistant coaches; all of which have played for her in the past.

13 RETROFIRE HEAD COACH

Brian McKnight

• CVCA HS Volleyball Setter - 3 years

• USVBA Club Setter - 6 years

• CVCA Varsity Head Coach - 11 years

• Buckeyefire Head Coach - 9 years

• 2023 District Coach of the Year (D II)

• JO Skills & Development Camp - 3 years

• JO 1-on-1 Skill Development - 12 years

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Brian is married with 3 daughters. When he is not coaching volleyball, he loves spending time with his family and friends. Brian also enjoys playing video games when he needs to let of some steam. He has worked at his current company for over 32 years and has been in a management role for 22 of the 32 years. Brian believes that his leadership skills taught through work have made him a better coach and that his coaching skills have made him a better leader at work. He doesn't expect to coach perfect athletes or have them play perfect games, only to always give perfect effort.  Brian also has a BA in business management. 

WEBSITE DEVELOPER

13 DRAGONFIRE HEAD COACH

Kayla Birk

• CYO Volleyball - 5 years

• Brecksville HS Player - 2 yrs

• JO Player - 3 yrs

• Ashland University Club Volleyball - 2 yrs

• Head Freshman Coach - Nordonia  - 1 yr

• Head JV Coach - Nordonia - 3 yrs

• Buckeyefire Head Coach - 3 yrs

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Kayla will forever keep volleyball an important part of her life. Coaching has always been something she looked forward to as a player. She has over 10 years of playing experience with different coaches that gave her a love for the sport. Her coaching style is focused on the skill-development and confidence of her players. Kayla's coaching philosophy is that hard work and supportive teammates creates the best team. Playing volleyball were some of the best years of her life and she hopes to share the same experiences she had with her own players. Kayla works in makrketing and graphic design, coaches volleyball at Nordonia High School, and is a fitness coach at Orangetheory Fitness. She also has a BA and MS in Sports Administration.

CLUB COORDINATOR

14 SPARKFIRE HEAD COACH

Alexis Perney

• Age 14-18 Buckeyefire Volleyball Player

• Nordonia MS/HS (6 years) 2 year starting Varsity libero

• The Ohio State University (2 years) Club

• 4 years Freshman Volleyball Head Coach Lakewood HS

• 3 years Head Coach Advancement Academy (Columbus, OH)

• 4 years at Buckeyefire - Head Coach

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The first thing you will notice with Alexis is she has gathered so much experience through both volleyball related positions and her education. She carries the perfect balance of sports discipline along with a highly positive coaching style that matches our confidence building philosophy. Her management style and ability to organize and communicate makes her an asset to both the club and her team! When Alexis is not coaching volleyball she is managing an Athlete Training facility in Brunswick, OH.  Alexis is your go to for all club functions such as hotel booking, tournament booking, tryout coordination, and more!  Alexis has a BA and MD in exercise science.

14 CROSSFIRE HEAD COACH

Sydney Gorski

• Coming Soon

14 SLAMFIRE HEAD COACH

Leslie Pamer

• Wooster HS Player - 4 Years

• Frederick Community College Volleyball Team - 2 Years

• Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Volleyball Team - 2 years

• Head Coach Dalton Middle School (7th) - 1 Year

• JO 12s Head Coach and 11s Assistant Coach - 1 Year

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This is Leslie's first season with Buckeyefire. As a coach, she brings high energy, passion, and a loud voice that’s always cheering on her team. She believes coaching goes beyond just the game — Leslie is here to help these athletes grow not only as players but as people. She take pride in being a mentor both on and off the court, creating a space where my athletes feel supported, challenged, and empowered. Her goal is to bring out the best in every player and help them develop confidence, resilience, and a love for the game. Leslie also has a Bachelor's in Communication.

15 RAPIDFIRE HEAD COACH

Aaron Park

• Playing Experience (Indoor & Sand) - 30+ Years

• Head Freshman Coach Uniontown Lake HS

• JV & Varsity Head Coach Uniontown Lake HS (Boys) 5 Years

• OVR Referee - 3 Years

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From a very young age volleyball has been a passion of Aaron's. Whether it is coaching, playing, refereeing or simply watching. He admittedly took a lengthy hiatus from coaching due to work and raising a family, and was fortunate enough to find the Buckeyefire Family for what started out as a one year plan. The girls had other plans though. Aaron never in his wildest dreams would have anticipated being so emotionally and physically invested in not only the on the court success but also truly getting to know each one of his young athletes. Volleyball is once again in his blood and couldn’t be more excited to finish what they started last season.

15 REDFIRE HEAD COACH

Emily Ekron

• Coming Soon

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SOCIAL MEDIA CORRDINATOR

15 REDFIRE HEAD COACH

Maggie Bradley

• Aurora HS Volleyball Team - 4 yrs

• JO at Buckeyefire - 6 yrs

• Streetsboro HS JV Head Coach - 2 yrs

• Buckeyefire Assistant Coach -4 yrs

• Private Lessons Instructor -   2 yrs

• Aurora HS VB Player - 4 yrs

• Buckeyefire Player - 6 yrs

• Ursuline College Player - 2 yrs

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Currently, Maggie is studying Sports Administration and hopes to open her very own volleyball club one day. Ever since she tried out for Buckeyefire when she was 13 years old, she has never looked back. The club is like family to her and she does not plan on leaving it in the past anytime time soon.  After assisting Tim Vasko for three years Maggie will put her talent to work coaching our 14's team this season.  Maggie handles all our social media so she's the one to send your great pics to!  Also be sure to update her on your tournaments.

16 MAXFIRE HEAD COACH

Tim Vasko

• Head Varsity Coach Nordonia HS

• Assistant Varsity Coach CVCA

• Buckeyefire Head Coach

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16 SPITFIRE HEAD COACH

Connie Perney

• Nordonia MS Head Coach - 11 Years

• St. Barnabas CYO Head Coach - 9 Years

• ​St. John Vianney CYO HC - 3 Years

• Buckeyefire Head Coach - 10 Years

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Connie has been Mrs. Reliable for over 10 years in our club. If Connie is leading your team she is super organized, always on time, and doesn’t miss. She’s also a great teacher! Connie has led our younger teams over the years and produced some amazing players that went on to anchor our older teams. Connie is one of the few coaches in the area that carries a CAP 1 certification.   She’s another of our coaches married over 32 years (Tom) and she’s brought up three very successful daughters through the club and volleyball (Alexis, Andera and Aricka all played in the club, for Nordonia, and Alexis is a great head coach and club coordinator for us today).Connie is definitely a huge part of our success.

17 SAFIRE HEAD COACH

Annie Christian

• Buckeyefire Player - 2 Years

• Mayfield Heights HS Varsity Volleyball - 4 Years

• Whiskey Island Adult Sand - 2 Years 

• Ohio University Club Volleyball - 2 Years

• Ohio University - Intermediate Volleyball Instructor - 2 Years

• Buckeyefire Head Coach - 2 Years

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Annie is a dedicated volleyball coach with a passion for the sport that spans over 11 years.  Her coaching journey began at Ohio University, where she spent 2 years as an assistant coach for the Club Volleyball team as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, she also imparted her knowledge of volleyball to undergraduate students teaching intermediate volleyball, and introduction to volleyball.

​Annie is another of our former players who's experience as a player growing and developing at Buckeyefire translates to our exact coaching philosophy now.  ​

Annie has a BA in sports management and a MD in Sports Science.

18 SUREFIRE HEAD COACH

Alanna Ramsey

• Revere HS Varsity Player - 4 Years

• JO Volleyball Player - 5 Years

• Tiffin University Player - 1 Year

• CSU Club Player - 2 Years

• Revere JV Head Coach -   2 Years

• Revere HS Varsity Head Coach - 3 Years

• Buckeyefire Head Coach - 3 Years

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Alanna has played and  been around volleyball ever since she could walk. Her entire family, including aunts and uncles, played back in the day. Volleyball is her absolute favorite thing on the planet and she has learned to really love coaching after being a player for so long. It is difficult to find her not going crazy on the sideline with excitement during games as she really gets into coaching her players and motivating them. Alanna aims to give players a new, important perspective on the sport of volleyball that includes not only teaching them the sport and how to be good teammates, but also important lessons they can take off the court as well. Allana is another of our past players givnig back what they learned at Buckeyefire to our youth. She aspires to coach at the college level soon and we certainly will support her in that effort!

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Betsy Smerglia

• Maple Heights Varsity HC - 17 yrs

• ​11 League Championships

• JO Head Coach - 8 yrs (various clubs)

• Buckeyefire Assistant Coach - 7 years

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​Betsy brings well over 30 years of Varsity coaching experience and many of her players have gone on to play in college. As a retired Health and Physical Education school teacher of 35 years, Betsy brings a wealth of teaching and coaching experience to Buckeyefire. She has been with Buckeyefire for 7 years and has become a trusted coach, advisor, and program developer.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Bill Smerglia

• JO Head Coach - 8 years (various clubs)

• OVR Champions - 2 American Teams

• High School Head Coach for NDCL, Kenston, Laurel, Field, & Streetsboro - 18 years with 260 wins

• Buckeyefire Head Coach - 7 years

• 4 time Coach of the Year - Streetsboro

• 2022 Streetsboro Coach Hall of Fame

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As a retired School Psychologist and High School Counselor, Bill believes it is important to teach his players the power of an effective mental approach to the game. This complements his emphasis of continually researching and implementing the best methods for developing the skills and conditioning necessary to be successful for playing volleyball.

Bill and Betsy have been married for 47 years and have been enjoying the first 10 plus years of their retirement. They have never had any children of their own, but have enjoyed immensely the thousands of young people and their families with whom they have had relationships. They have both been coaches with Buckeyefire for 7 years.  Bill is a trusted coach, program developer and advisor to Buckeyefire.

14 CROSSFIRE ASSISTANT COACH

Jeff Gorski

• Coming Soon

13 DRAGONFIRE ASSISTANT COACH

Alissa Golembiewski

• Brecksville HS Player - 2 Years

• JO Volleyball Player - 

• Buckeyefire Assistant Coach - 2 Years

13 DRAGONFIRE ASSISTANT COACH

Jena Lambright

• Coming Soon

16 SPITFIRE ASSISTANT COACH

Aricka Perney

• Coming Soon

14 SPARKFIRE ASSISTANT COACH

Andrea Perney

• Coming Soon