2026-27 COACHES

ROBIN LAMOTT SPARKS

Director
Head Coach 18-1s

Coach Robin has coached for over 25 years, including 6 years as a Division I Head Coach. She is currently the Hamden High School Varsity coach and was also named the Times Union (Albany) Coach of the Year when she led Troy High School. She worked with the USA Volleyball High-Performance Program and the USAV Coaching Accreditation Program (CAP) training coaches across the country. Coach Robin has her CAP III certification, is a collegiate and USAV official, and served on the Board of Directors of WeCOACH, a national organization supporting women in collegiate coaching. Coach Robin is also a graduate of the NCAA Women’s Coaching Academy where she was awarded the Judy Sweet Most Inspirational Coach Award. She is currently a Board and Executive Leader consultant with Lamott Sparks Consulting.

RON SPARKS

Director

Coach Ron has coached at every level from 5 year-olds to NCAA Division I. He was a part of the University at Albany staff when the Great Danes won their first America East Championship and participated in the NCAA Championship Tournament. While there he coached 4 different AE First Team players, 2 Players of the year, and an All-American. While coaching high school his team appeared in the state tournament 5 straight years, and were awarded the Scholar Athlete Team Award 4 years running. Coach Ron is not only coaching but also officiates NCAA Volleyball. He is dedicated to growing the sport, and has developed youth volleyball programs in several area elementary schools.

MOLLY HAMMACK

Head Coach 17-1s

Molly has been playing volleyball for ten years and is a very excited first-time coach. She grew up in Granby, Connecticut where she was the Libero for her high school team when they won their state championship and then continued on to play for the UCONN club team during her college career. Molly works as an Events Coordinator and Planner in Hartford, and in her free time beyond playing volleyball- enjoys working out, playing with her dogs, and doing artistic DIY projects.

KYLIE KOONTZ

Head Coach 16-1s

Kylie Koontz is the Assistant Coach at the University of Hartford. Most recently, Koontz coached with Deep Dish Volleyball in Bournemouth, England, working with athletes ranging from beginner to elite levels and leading sessions on the competitive beach tour.

Kylie also has coaching experience with Lions Juniors in LaSalle, Illinois and also spent three summers assisting with Somonauk middle school volleyball.

As a player, Koontz competed at Minot State University where Koontz earned a full athletic scholarship and ranked among the team leaders in blocks per set while finishing second in hitting percentage. Koontz also competed internationally while studying at Bournemouth University, helping the indoor team to a Top-eight national finish and earning a silver medal on the United Kingdom Beach Tour.

Koontz earned a bachelor’s degree in professional communication from Minot State University in 2023 and recently completed a master’s degree in creative writing and publishing from Bournemouth University in 2025

NICOLE ALBERT

Asst Coach 17-1s

MIA WILSON

Asst Coach

NALIAH GRANNELL

Head Coach 15-1s

Naliah Grannell is a New England Shock Alumnus from Hamden High who went on to compete at the University of Albany and University of New Haven. As a player, she led her team in Blocks and was named to the COSIDA Academic All District team. She earned her Masters of Public Health in 2026.

GABI WANNER

Asst 15-1s

IRELIS MORALES

Asst Coach 14-1s

CELY PENA

Assistant Coach 14-1s

ERIKA GARCIA

Head Coach 13-1s

BELLA GREEN

Assistant Coach 13-1s

SYDNEY SPARKS

Head Coach 12-1s

ADDA COSTA

Asst Coach 12-1s