HERNANDO ELITE COACHES

Our coaches have the mindset to build players for their future not only in the physical attribute, also the mental attribute which can be found to be one of the most important.

Kelly werkmeister

(founder and director) (indoor coach)

Meet our founder of Hernando Elite, she has built this club for over 15 years by building many relationships with schools in our area to achieve where the club is today. As well as, being the high school volleyball of Weeki Wachee for 13 years. She was also named coach of the year for Hernando county in 2013 and 2015. Two years later, she was named Spectrum coach of the year for bright house networks in 2017. Her coaching passion all began when she started volunteering her time to Fox Chapel middle school, while coaching her oldest daughter. After a few years, she found herself volunteering again at Weeki Wachee high school the first year they opened in 2010. The high school then achieved 3 district runner ups, 6 district championships, 4 ELITE 8 appearances, and 2 SWEET 16 appearances, as well as having 5 players develop into players of the year. I have been playing since I was 9 years old and found love in passion in the sport, including beach volleyball where I have played in many tournaments with many different partners as well as my daughter and husband. My inspiration has came from growing up watching my three daughters playing and being able to carry that on to many more younger athletes to help them have further success in the future that they want.

allen werkmeister

(co founder) (indoor coach)

Head Coach Allen, has been playing volleyball ever since he was 15 years old across the entire United States. Winning many beach volleyball national tournaments, as well as winning a trip to the Bahamas during a National tournament. He has played against Phil Dalhausser and Nick Lucena when they first paired together back in the day. He has played in many AVP qualifiers and has met many professional players every step of the way. He enjoys spreading the knowledge he has for the game with younger generation players and getting them to wear they want in the future. He believes that the game of volleyball isn’t just based on the physical skills, but the mental mindset you need to learn to have more success in specific levels. As well as being USAV impacted certified for the last 10 years of coaching indoor volleyball.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE COACHES TO BE ADDED…….

halie werkmeister

(director) (indoor and beach head coach)

Our coach Halie Werkmeister believes in inspiring players to become the best they can be. Every player has the ability to mold into their own unique player, since everyone learns in their own ways, you must just be patient. Coach Halie is impacted certified through USAV, has played indoor volleyball for Pasco-Hernando State College as well as beach volleyball for Florida Gulf Coast University, she has been playing the game of volleyball since she was five years old while working with different coaches from all different countries that have helped build her to the player she is today. She has been participating in AVP qualifier tournaments and very close with many of the professional players today. As well as being a second generation player, watching her parents play while growing up. Coach Halie is a well qualified coach and believes that every player has their on ability to achieve their full inspiration.

AMBERLYN WERKMEISTER (BEACH AND INDOOR COACH)

Our beach coach Amberlyn has been playing the game of volleyball ever since she was four years old with her two older sisters. She has qualified for multiple national events for beach and indoor volleyball. Amberlyn has won numerous district titles, as well as multiple regional appearances while playing for Weeki Wachee high school. She played for SPC as a setter and was a huge part in their program. Amberlyn is currently finishing her doctorate in Chiropractic and helping people is her passion. She has a great work ethic and cannot wait to have the opportunity to inspire the young athletes with skills that could help them achieve their goals. We are very happy to have Amberlyn joining our beach coaching staff for 2024 summer season.

KARLA CANTERO-GARCIA (BEACH COACH)

We are so happy to announce that one of our former Hernando elite beach volleyball players is back and will be joining us to start her coaching career with young athletes for the 2024 summer season. Karla brings so much energy to the game and always showed so much passion on the court when she played. Karla has qualified for many national events as well as having numerous top 3 finishes for beach and indoor volleyball. While playing at Nature Coast high school, Karla has had multiple District appearances. After graduating, she decided to further her volleyball career by attending Plam beach Atlantic. Karla is such an inspiration for these future players, and we cannot wait to have her apart of our team.

MIRANDA WERKMEISTER (BEACH AND INDOOR COACH)

Our coach Miranda has inspired so many players she has worked with over the years. Miranda has played volleyball ever since she was 5 years old with her older sister and parents. She has qualified for many beach and indoor national events. Has performed and been selected for high performance team of Florida. Miranda has also won multiple district titles in High school as well as 3 Elite 8 appearances and 1 sweet sixteen appearance in high school. Miranda has also played in many women’s national indoor events; she takes pride in helping her players reach their fullest potential and achieving their goals to become the best they can be in this sport. Miranda has been a great addition to our indoor and beach program, and we look forward to seeing her grow more as a coach within our community.

ALLORA MURRAY (BEACH AND INDOOR COACH)

Allora is another former Hernando elite beach volleyball player that has been playing the game since she was 10 years old. She has an amazing work ethic on and off the court. She has one multiple qualifiers while participating in 14 open, 16 open, and 18 open. We are super excited to see her keep enjoying the game in Women’s AA and OPEN. We are SUPER happy to see her taking the next steps in life as a volleyball coach. Allora relates great to the players and focus on their individual skills. Not every player learns the same way and Coach Allora is great at recognizing the different ways she can help each player. Allora started as a player coach when she was 16 years old while helping the 5-9 year old group she has grown in the last few years and has now been a great part to coaching our 10U,12U, AND 16U teams for indoor. She has had a huge impact with our 10 and under beach players as well as our 14u beach players. We look forward to the future for Allora as a coach to see how she will be able to be a great role model for these players.

KAIYA WARD (BEACH COACH)

We are excited to announce that one of our current players Kaiya Ward will be stepping in this summer to start her coaching journey. Kaiya is a great role model and has been playing volleyball since she was 9 years old. She has won multiple qualifers in 14 open, 16open and now steps into 18 open and Women’s open this summer before leaving for college to attend EKU for Division I beach volleyball. Kaiya eats, sleeps and breathes volleyball. She is a great influence, and we are super excited to have her helping with the new beach players that are joining us this summer.

VICTORIA GRAY (beach coach)

Victoria is a former Hernando elite athlete she has been playing since she was 10 years old. She has numerous conference, district and regional appearances when playing for Weeki Wachee high school. She has also had a tremendous amount of top 3 finishes in club and beach volleyball as well as winning multiple qualifiers. Victoria also competed at Florida Southern for beach volleyball. Victoria is still training and competing till this day in Women’s tournaments. We are super happy for her to join our coaching staff with her great work ethic and true role model for these future athletes. We look forward to see her grow into a tremendous coach.