Leadership & Coaching staff
Club Directors
kris franklin
Club Director | Assistant Coach, 16U-
Kris Franklin brings more than 20 years of experience in youth sports and is passionate about helping young athletes grow both on and off the court. As a certified volleyball official, he brings a deep understanding of the game along with a commitment to fairness, player development, and excellence.
A retired Coast Guard officer, Kris leads with integrity, discipline, and a positive attitude. These values shape his approach as Volleyball Director, where he is committed to creating an environment that emphasizes teamwork, leadership, respect, and personal growth.
Kris is also the proud father of four and understands the importance of providing a supportive and encouraging experience for athletes and their families. His goal is to help every player reach their full potential while fostering a culture where hard work, sportsmanship, and a genuine love for the game can thrive.
Blake Harris
Club Director | Assistant Coach, 16U-
Blake Harris serves as Club Director for 618 Volleyball, bringing a passion for leadership, athlete development, and creating a meaningful club experience for players and families. Sports have always been an important part of Blake’s life, including 14 years of competitive soccer, but his greatest passion is his family. He and his wife have been married for nearly 22 years and are proud parents of seven children.
Professionally, Blake serves as an executive leader overseeing global teams across multiple countries and cultures. Leading people from diverse backgrounds has taught him the importance of clear communication, collaboration, accountability, and servant leadership. Every day, he works alongside teams to build trust, solve complex challenges, and help people reach their full potential. These same principles shape the culture and values being built at 618 Volleyball.
As a husband, father, and coach, Blake believes young athletes thrive when they understand expectations, receive positive encouragement, and are challenged to step outside their comfort zones. His goal is to help every player grow in confidence, develop new skills, embrace hard work, and compete with passion—all while creating lasting friendships and enjoying the game they love.
Blake’s vision for 618 Volleyball has always been to create something different: a club that develops athletes, values character, communicates openly, and remains mindful of the commitment families make when choosing a club program. The goal is to ensure every investment families make provides an exceptional experience both on and off the court.
The inaugural season of 618 Volleyball was an exciting beginning, highlighted by multiple Silver Division tournament championships and tremendous growth from athletes across the club. As 618 Volleyball continues to grow, our commitment remains the same: to provide a positive, competitive environment where players are encouraged, challenged, and supported as they become the best athletes—and people—they can be.
16u Coaches
Olivia Hogan
Head Coach, 16U-
Olivia Hogan serves as Director of Player Development and Head Coach for 16U at 618 Volleyball, bringing extensive experience as a Division I student-athlete and coach. Olivia competed at the collegiate level for four years, beginning her career at Northern Illinois University before finishing at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where she also served as team captain.
Following her playing career, Olivia was honored to attend the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Convention as a demonstrator and assisted with the SIUE Volleyball program during their spring season. Her experiences competing and training at a high level in both collegiate and club volleyball have shaped her approach to athlete development.
Olivia’s coaching philosophy is centered on meeting each athlete where they are and helping them take the next step in their development. She believes every player grows at their own pace and strives to provide the support, guidance, and challenges needed for continued improvement. Drawing from her experience as a Division I athlete, Olivia emphasizes confidence, accountability, hard work, and high standards while creating a competitive environment where athletes feel supported and empowered to reach their full potential.
kris franklin
Club Director | Assistant Coach, 16UBlake Harris
Club Director | Assistant Coach, 16U
15u Navy Coaches
Emily Lonergan
Head Coach, 15U Navy-
Emily Lonergan serves as Head Coach for 15U Navy at 618 Volleyball, bringing a wealth of playing and coaching experience to the club. Emily competed for one of the top volleyball clubs in the country, participating at both the USA and Open levels before beginning her collegiate career at Missouri Southern State University.
She later transferred to Eastern Kentucky University, where she spent three years competing as a Division I beach volleyball athlete. Her experience as a high-level athlete has given her a strong understanding of the dedication, discipline, and mindset required to compete at the next level.
Emily currently serves as the Assistant Beach Volleyball Coach at McKendree University and is the founder and director of KC Prime Beach Volleyball in Kansas City, Kansas. Through her coaching experiences, Emily is passionate about helping athletes develop their skills, build confidence, and grow both as players and as teammates.
Keegan Rose
Assistant Coach, 15U Navy-
Keegan Rose serves as Assistant Coach for 15U Navy at 618 Volleyball, bringing valuable playing experience and a passion for the sport to the club. Keegan played as a setter for Blue Steel Volleyball Club for five years and Belleville East High School for four years.
Keegan also assists with McKendree Beach Volleyball, continuing to gain coaching experience and remain involved in the game.
15u White Coaches
Craig Thomas
Head Coach, 15U White-
Craig Thomas serves as Head Coach for 15U White at 618 Volleyball, bringing eight years of volleyball coaching experience and a commitment to athlete development. Coach Craig believes in building confident, team-first athletes by focusing on developing both fundamental and advanced skills while fostering a positive team environment.
Through continued education and dedication to the sport, Craig works to empower young players to reach their full potential both on and off the court.
Sydney Manes
Assistant Coach, 15U White-
Sydney Manes serves as Assistant Coach for 15U White at 618 Volleyball, bringing her experience as a club volleyball player and coach to the team. As a second-generation volleyball coach, Sydney has spent four years serving as both a head coach and assistant coach.
Sydney provides athletes with skills development and mental training while helping players continue to grow in their understanding and love of the game.
Stacy Hayden
Manager 15U Navy-
Stacy Hayden serves as the Team Manager for 15U Navy at 618 Volleyball. Stacy previously coached volleyball at Saint Boniface for five years, where she developed a passion for helping young athletes grow both on and off the court.
As Team Manager for 15U Navy, Stacy oversees the team's day-to-day operations, including scheduling, tournament and travel logistics, team communications, social media, and administrative coordination. Her dedication helps create an organized, supportive, and positive experience for athletes, families, and coaches throughout the season.
one unified team.
two levels of elite coaching
How Our Combined Coaching Structure Maximizes Your Athlete's Training & Growth
We don’t just assign a single coach to a team and hope for the best. Every athlete on our roster benefits from a powerful, multi-layered coaching ecosystem that combines high-level collegiate strategy, dedicated floor management, and director-level oversight.
Here is exactly how our coaching staff works together for your daughter:
The Collegiate Coaching Leadership
Master Training, Tournament Command, & Recruitment Pace
Total Practice Command:
A Head Collegiate Level Coach personally runs and directs the weekly training sessions, ensuring college-level pace, discipline, and technical mastery.
Full Tournament Leadership:
They are on the bench coaching every single event—including all local matches and major out-of-town travel tournaments.
Fully Covered Travel Logistics:
To maintain complete professionalism, the club fully covers this collegiate coach's seasonal stipend, hotel stays, and travel meals for all out-of-town events.
The Parent Coaching & Floor Support
Day-to-Day Execution, Team Culture, & Direct Administrative Support
Dedicated Court Management:
Up to 2 qualified parent-coaches are heavily embedded on the floor to run every day logistics, assist with training reps, and support the athletes.
Director-Backed Game Plans:
Our Director of Player Program Development personally steps in to provide custom practice blueprints and strategic game plans to keep the team aligned.
On-Court Director Masterclasses:
To ensure top-tier development, our Director personally steps onto the court to run or support two full practices every single month.
What this means for Parents:
Your athlete gets the absolute best of both worlds. She receives the elite tactical training and exposure of a Collegiate Coach, the consistent, hands-on mentorship of Dedicated Floor Coaches, and the structural backing of our Club Director. It is a complete wrap-around support system designed to take her game to the next level.