A native of Napoleonville, Sandy Fussell went to Assumption High School as a student, and after gaining an Education Degree at Nicholls State University, returned to her Alma Mater for one of the most prestigious volleyball coaching careers in the State of Louisiana.   In her 35 years as head of the Lady Mustang’s volleyball program, her teams won 1080 matches for an amazing average of 30 wins per season. 

Upon retiring from teaching and coaching in 2016, Coach Sandy Fussell continued her passion for the sport of volleyball with the Thibodaux Regional Sports Medicine Center where she does private volleyball lessons and is responsible for organizing various camps, clinics, and volleyball events at the Thibodaux Regional Wellness Center.  With over 40 years of experience at the high school and club level, Coach Fussell now focuses on teaching the game of volleyball to younger players and enjoys watching their skill development from one year to the next.  She is very excited to be a part of our Grassroots programs.

EXPERIENCE:

• Head Coach of Assumption High School Volleyball for 35 Years
• Assumption High School Athletic Director 1994-2015

AWARDS & HONORS:

• Coached 8 Teams to an LHSAA State Championship Title
• Inducted into the Louisiana Volleyball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2000
• Inducted into the Bayou Region Athletic Hall of Fame in 2021
• Inducted into the LHSAA Hall of Fame in 2023

Coach Callie Becnel was born and raised in Vacherie, Louisiana and is a 2023 graduate of E.D. White Catholic High School. She began playing volleyball at the age of 9 and continued to play through high school.  She is a current student Nicholls State University where she is majoring in Pre-Dentistry and is a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma. 

EXPERIENCE:

• 9 years of playing experience - 4 years under Coach Kui Fletcher
• Middle blocker at E. D. White Catholic High School 
• 2020 Division III State Semifinalist Team
• 2021 Division III State Runner Up Team
• 2022 Division III State Runner Up Team
• 2022 Bayou Region All-Star Team
• 2021 All District Honorable Mention
• 2022 All District 2nd Team
• Assistant Coach for RISE 2022-2023 Season
• RISE Head Coach 2023

Coach Tori Stock was born and raised in California and played volleyball for 11 years. She was an Outside Hitter for three colleges including the University of Arkansas at Monticello, and coached club volleyball for several teams in California. Coach Tori brings a wealth of experience and knowledge that she wants to share. She currently resides in Thibodaux with her husband and two children.

EXPERIENCE:

• 2011 Western National Champion
• All Conference Outside Hitter at Carrillo College
• All GAC Honorable Mention at University of Arkansas at Monticello
• Coach for Xtreme Volleyball Club for 2019-2021 season
• RISE Head Coach since 2021

Coach Matt Beyer began coaching youth sports at the age of 17. Coach Matt received a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from the University of New Orleans, a doctor of medicine degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine specializing in Otolaryngology (ear, nose & throat), and a Master of Business Administration degree from Nicholls State University. He has coached swimming, tennis, diving, and volleyball, most recently coaching volleyball at St. Francis School in Houma. Having been involved with volleyball his entire adult life as a coach, parent, and player, Coach Matt believes in providing a safe, positive environment for players to grow and reach their maximum potential. He resides in Houma with his wife and six daughters.

EXPERIENCE:

• Coach for St. Francis de Sales in Houma
• Coach for Xtreme Volleyball Club for 2019-2021 season
• RISE Head Coach since 2021

Coach Jaden Sanders was born in California and raised in Thibodaux, Louisiana and is a current student at Nicholls State University.

EXPERIENCE:

• Student Manager/Assistant for the Women’s Volleyball team at Nicholls State
•  Pre-Med major at Nicholls State University
• Manager for the E.D. White Volleyball Team for 5 Years
• Setter for Bayou Boys Volleyball Club for 6 Years
• 2-time Club National Medalist
• Setter for Austin Juniors Volleyball Club for 1 Year
• 2021 Club All-American
• 2016 and 2017 USA High Performance Future Select Training Team
• Assistant Coach for Xtreme Volleyball for 2020-2021 season
• Assistant Coach for RISE Volleyball for 2021-2022 season
• RISE Head Coach since 2022

Coach Kennedy Breaux was an Assistant Coach for Thibodaux Regional RISE Volleyball for 2022-2024 seasons with Coach Sandy Fussell.  This is her first season as a head coach for Thibodaux Regional RISE Volleyball. She is a Biology/Pre-Dentistry Major at Nicholls State University. 

EXPERIENCE:

• Played varsity for E.D. White Catholic High School 
• 2023 Graduate of E.D. White Catholic High School
• Previous Position: Libero

AWARDS & HONORS:

• 2023 District Defensive MVP
• 2023 All State Team

Coach Anna Claire Jones was born and raised in Thibodaux, Louisiana and is a 2023 graduate of E. D. White Catholic High School.  She is currently attending Nicholls State University where she is majoring in Pre-Medicine. 

EXPERIENCE:

• 9 years of playing experience
• Setter at E. D. White Catholic High School (2020-2022)
• 2020 Division III State Semifinalist Team
• 2021 Division III State Runner Up Team
• 2022 Division III State Runner Up Team
• 2020 - 2022 All District 1st Team
• 2021 & 2022 District Offensive MVP
• 2022 West All-Star Team
• 2022 Bayou Region All-Star Team
• 2022 Bayou Region Player of the Year
• 2022-2023 Assistant Coach for RISE
• RISE Head Coach since 2023

Coach Kui Fletcher is a native of Waianae, Hawaii.  She has been coaching volleyball for over 20 years in Hawaii, California and Louisiana. She formerly coach at Motiv8 and Xtreme Volleyball Clubs. Coach Kui currently serves as the Athletic Development Specialist at Thibodaux Regional Health System and has been the RISE Club Director and Coach since 2021. 

EXPERIENCE:

• Outside Hitter at Long Beach City College, California
• Outside Hitter Nicholls State University, Louisiana
• Club Volleyball Coach since 2004

AWARDS & HONORS:

• Southern California All-State Team
• South Coast Conference Co-Player of the Year
• All-Southland Conference - 1st Team
• Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year
• All-Louisiana Newcomer of the Year
• Nicholls State Season Record Holder for 549 kills
• Ranked 16th in the Nation in Division I NCAA Women's Volleyball
• Nicholls State's Female Athlete of the Year 2002-2003