STORM COACHING STAFF
Emily McMahon | HEAD COACH
Emily grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, and played every sport she could get her hands on, but it was at age 13 when she first touched a volleyball. She was a multi-sport athlete in high school captained her soccer team as a midfielder and her volleyball team as dual pin and middle hitter. She was a multiple all-conference, all-sectional, and all-state selection and had one of the top serving, serving ace and passing percentages the state.
It was club ball where Emily feels she was cultivated into an extremely well rounded player. While she excelled as a middle hitter, she didn't have the height of some of her peers and her coaches moved her to a six rotation opposite. While that move was initially difficult, it proved to be a gift as she checked off another position in her game. It also initiated her to train as a setter on top of her regular training. Her love for running an offense bloomed and her court IQ skyrocketed. Emily made several appearances at Nationals, including in Arizona where she fell in love with the college she would later attend. Scouted by several NCAA D1 schools for both soccer and volleyball, she continued her career in Arizona.
Emily believes that sports and activity is a crucial part of our existence, and that coaching is a multifaceted role providing leadership in life, not just the game. Deeply rooted at Summit, this will be Emily’s 3rd year as head coach. She is excited to continue to unify the program with empowerment, perseverance and her adventurous coaching style.
Courtney Bledsoe | ASSISTANT VARSITY COACH
Courtney grew up in Southern California where roller skating, running track, playing tennis and doing any physical activity outside gave her the start to her athletic journey. She picked up a volleyball in elementary school, but didn’t become serious until 8th grade. In high school, she was a 4 year varsity starter; known for her explosive jumping ability as an outside hitter, a passing and defensive specialist and tough top-spin jump server. Capping off her high school volleyball was playing in the Orange County California all-star game alongside Misty May on the south team.
Courtney played volleyball for Orange County Volleyball Club for a very harsh coach who developed her into one of the top ranked players in the country. Competing at such a high level in California, gave Courtney multiple opportunities to play D1. She made her decision to play for the University of Colorado as an outside hitter. Waiting patiently her freshman and sophomore season as a sub for right & left side and as a defensive specialist, Courtney grew into a collegiate player. Her junior and senior season exploded. As a senior, Courtney was an outside hitter who played all the way around, ending her career that year with 399 kills and All Big 12 Honorable Mention.
Courtney has coached many youth camps during high school and college -- teaching the fundamentals to elementary age kids as well as passing on advanced technical skills to young high school female athletes is powerful. Volleyball is much more than just a game. It teaches mental and physical toughness, teamwork and cooperation, leadership and responsibility. Along with all these characteristics, Courtney looks forward to contributing her knowledge, love of the game and maybe even dusting off those knee pads to scrimmage at Summit High School.
Bailey Thompson | JV COACH
Bailey grew up in Oregon and played volleyball at St. Mary’s Academy. Bailey has played volleyball for 8 years, as well as, playing competitively in college. She was born as a natural libero. After playing in college, Bailey went on to coach for NW Elite and relocated to Central Oregon. Once moved to Central Oregon, Bailey found her way into coaching at a local club. Bailey has a true passion for volleyball and for building correct fundamentals while building athletes passion!
Once Bailey moved to Bend she decided to continue her education to get her degree in elementary education. Bailey believes that her passion for the sport is what makes her the coach that she is and wants to share that passion with her future athletes.
Brooke Walton | FROSH COACH
Brooke grew up in Washington and played 3 years of varsity volleyball at South Whidbey High School where her team placed Top 10 in the state tournament two of those years. She was a three sport athlete in high school and received All-State honors in volleyball.
Since moving to Bend in 2017, Brooke has been active in the youth sports scene. She was the Athletic Director for Pacific Crest Middle School from 2019-2021, President of High Desert Aquatics and has run multiple volleyball clinics through BPRD. From the 2018-2021 volleyball seasons, she was the head coach for Pacific Crest Middle School which resulted in multiple undefeated seasons and the 2019 District Championship. Since 2019 she has been a head coach for NPJ Volleyball for 14U & 16U teams and loves switching it up in the summer and heading to the sand courts to assist with the NPJ Beach teams and running clinics.
Brooke and her husband Paul have 2 daughters which keep them on their toes and are always looking for their next adventure. The 2022 season wase Brooke's first season with the Storm and she cannot wait to continue with this incredible program and consistently coach student/athletes at a high level in 2024.
COMING SOON