Wismer is one of the Southeast’s most experienced club coaches with over 29 years of coaching experience (both boys and girls) at the collegiate (D1, D3, NAIA), club, and prep levels. Additionally, he has extensive club leadership experience with over 18 years serving in leadership positions at several nationally prominent junior clubs.
Scott’s coaching experience includes roles at Florida International University and MTSU, where she developed middle blockers/hitters and team defense. She has coached players to conference honors and national rankings, and her teams have made multiple tournament appearances.
With over 20 years of experience in high school, middle school, club, and youth volleyball programs, Freise brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to RVA. She is currently in her 9th season as the head volleyball coach at Eagleville High School, where she has led the team to multiple state playoff berths.
These coaches have amassed a wide array of volleyball play and coach experience
along with a professional approach to meeting the needs of athletes in youth sports.
Executive Director
Wismer is an innovative leader in junior club volleyball, having served on the Junior Volleyball Association’s National Board, founded the JVA Southern Power League, contributed to the AVCA Volleyball Performance Index, and been the Keystone Region’s Coaches Representative.
Most recently, Wismer was Assistant Director at Mid TN Volleyball Club, where he helped the club grow significantly, qualifying three teams for USA Volleyball’s Girls National Championships. Previously, he spent eight years with Alliance Volleyball Club, leading the club to numerous national successes and managing a large coaching staff.
Wismer’s career began as a special education teacher in Philadelphia, where he also developed boys’ volleyball programs. He has coached teams to top finishes at national championships and trained several Gatorade Players of the Year, including AVCA 2022 National Player of the Year Logan Eggleston.
Wismer holds certifications from USAV CAP I and Gold Medal Squared, and is a member of the AVCA. He graduated from Messiah College with a degree in social studies education. He and his wife Andrea, who played field hockey at Messiah College, have a son, Noah, and live in Murfreesboro.
Training Academy Supervisor & Lead Trainer
Rhythm Volleyball Academy (RVA) proudly announces Quanshell “Quan” Scott as the new Training Academy Supervisor and Lead Trainer. A former standout player at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), Scott has built an impressive coaching career, most recently as Assistant Head Coach at Tennessee State University (TSU), where she contributed to one of the best starts in program history.
Scott’s coaching experience includes roles at Florida International University and MTSU, where she developed middle blockers/hitters and team defense. She has coached players to conference honors and national rankings, and her teams have made multiple tournament appearances. Internationally, Scott has coached in Norway and played professionally across Europe, earning MVP honors.
Scott holds a B.S. in Psychology from MTSU and two master’s degrees in College Student Affairs and Sport Administration. She resides in Lebanon, TN, and is expecting her first child.
Youth Program Coordinator
Joy Allen is a middle school Literature teacher and Volleyball coach at Providence Christian Academy, with a rich background in education and coaching. She holds a Master’s degree in Education and has over 10 years of experience coaching at various levels, including college, high school, middle school, and club volleyball. A former All-State player in high school, Joy continued her volleyball career at Carson Newman College and Montreat College. Her coaching style focuses on encouraging and motivating players, teaching them not just to perform skills but to think strategically about the game. Joy’s coaching philosophy centers on the importance of teamwork, helping players leverage their strengths to support one another and grow both as athletes and individuals. She has contributed to two state championships and two state runner-up finishes as an assistant coach.
Krysta Forsberg is the Health/Wellness and Girl’s Fitness Teacher at Blackman Middle School, where she also serves as the Head Girl’s Volleyball Coach. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education and a minor in Secondary Education, Krysta is beginning her first year of teaching and coaching. Her 8 years of playing experience in school and club volleyball have shaped her coaching style, which focuses on creating a positive and inclusive team environment. Krysta emphasizes communication, teamwork, and continuous improvement, striving to develop well-rounded athletes who excel both on and off the court. Her coaching philosophy centers on using sports as a tool for personal development, teaching values such as hard work, discipline, and sportsmanship, with the ultimate goal of helping her players succeed in all areas of life.
Rhythm Volleyball Academy is thrilled to welcome Meggie Gradel as a new coach. With 9 years of experience, including 8 years at Alliance Volleyball Club, Gradel is dedicated to building strong relationships with her athletes, emphasizing trust, proper technique, and continuous growth. A former player at Notre Dame Academy and the University of Kentucky, Gradel brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for celebrating team accomplishments at every level.
Rhythm Volleyball Academy is excited to welcome Grant Harford as a coach. Grant brings 14 years of coaching experience, including positions as head coach at Beech and Independence High Schools and a recent role as the JV head coach at Harpeth Hall. He also coached for Alliance Volleyball Club, where he led teams to notable successes, including a top-5 finish at USAV Nationals. Grant’s coaching style is adaptable, focusing on understanding and meeting the unique needs of each team. His philosophy emphasizes connecting the “why” with the “how,” encouraging players to master the fundamentals and develop a strong volleyball IQ.
Rhythm Volleyball Academy proudly welcomes Mary Ruth Jones as a new coach. Mary Ruth brings a wealth of experience, having coached at Providence Christian Academy since 2021 and with MidTN Volleyball Club for six seasons. A former collegiate athlete at Reinhardt University, where she was part of a conference championship team and NAIA National Tournament appearance, she is passionate about creating a positive and empowering environment for her players. Mary Ruth’s coaching style focuses on building strong relationships and fostering a growth mindset, helping athletes excel both on and off the court.
Rachael Lawrence is an Internal Wholesaler at Jackson with a strong background in finance, holding a bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University. She has been coaching for several years, currently serving as the head coach for the 13-1 team at Alliance Murfreesboro, a position she has held since 2021. Rachael’s coaching style is holistic and democratic, focusing on individual goals and team development.
As a player, Rachael competed at Wilson Central High School and continued her volleyball journey at UTC and MTSU, playing for their club teams. Her well-rounded experience as both a player and coach allow her to guide young athletes effectively.
Rhythm Volleyball Academy is excited to introduce Bianca Rodriguez as a new coach. With 8 years of coaching experience, including 5 years in club volleyball and currently serving as a Graduate Assistant at Trevecca University, Bianca is passionate about motivating and empowering her players. A former standout athlete at Cumberland University, where she tallied 2,336 career assists, Bianca is dedicated to helping athletes outsmart and outwork the competition. She believes in the power of leadership and fostering a team environment where everyone works to make each other better.
Rhythm Volleyball Academy is excited to introduce Christina Saenger, a dedicated and experienced volleyball coach with a background in PR/marketing and full-time coaching since 2020. Saenger has coached at Alliance VBC and The Academy VBC, leading teams across various age groups to success in national qualifying tournaments. As a former college player at Butler University, Saenger brings a purpose-driven coaching style, emphasizing technical training, big-picture strategy, and mental and physical competition. Additionally, Saenger is a certified yoga instructor and holds a BA in Recording Industry Studies and Strategic Communications from Butler University.
Mary Catherine Smith is a pediatric speech-language pathologist with a strong background in volleyball. A Murfreesboro native, she graduated from Central Magnet School in 2018 and ETSU with degrees in Spanish and speech pathology. She has three years of coaching experience, including two years with 14s and currently coaching 13s. She also serves as the assistant high school coach at MTCS, with a prior stint at Central Magnet where she helped lead the team to a state tournament appearance in 2022.
As a player, Mary Catherine excelled at Central Magnet and played as a setter at ETSU, where her team won Southern Conference championships in 2018 and 2019. Her coaching style is calm, focusing on creating a positive environment and providing specific feedback to help athletes improve. Her top volleyball highlights include winning conference titles at ETSU and reaching the state tournament as a coach at Central Magnet.
Rhythm Volleyball Academy is pleased to introduce Liz Waltrip as a coach. Liz brings nearly a decade of coaching experience, including roles with Alliance VBC and Ravenwood High School, where she contributed to multiple state-level successes. With a background in collegiate club volleyball at Missouri State University, Liz’s coaching style is multifaceted, adapting to the needs of her athletes to foster growth. Her philosophy centers on building strong relationships with players and understanding their individual motivations to create cohesive and successful teams. Liz emphasizes long-term growth over immediate results, helping her athletes achieve their full potential on and off the court.
Rhythm Volleyball Academy (RVA) is thrilled to welcome Aaron Hastings as the new Recruiting Coordinator. Currently the First Assistant Coach at Belmont University, Aaron brings experience from coaching in five NCAA Division I conferences, including top programs in Texas and Ohio. He has worked with prominent coaches like Reed Sunahara and Geoff Carlston and played a key role in guiding players to significant achievements, such as the MAC Defensive Player of the Year at Akron.
With a Bachelor’s from Ohio State and a Master’s from West Virginia, Aaron will lead RVA’s recruiting efforts, connecting athletes with colleges, hosting combines, and providing expert guidance on NCAA and NAIA processes. His addition will enhance RVA’s personalized training and support for athletes and families.
