LESSONS
SIGN UP FOR INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP LESSONS HERE:
Lessons can be an invaluable part of any development plan
- Choose a coach from the “Epic Approved List” and contact him/her.
- Be prepared with your schedule to work out some dates
Guidelines
- Epic Players should do lessons with Epic-approved coaches only. This is for both safety as well as continuity of training.
- If a player wishes to do a lesson with a coach who is not Epic-approved, (s)he should ask the coach to reach out to Epic to request approval.
- Players should know and follow their school and team rules for lessons during the school season. IHSAA & IHSA both have guidelines.
- Players may not miss an Epic event (practice, tourney, etc) for a lesson.
- Parents should be present during lessons.
- Players should not overwork themselves with lessons. Due to the length of the season, we recommend 5 or fewer total contact days per week
- Parents should not expect the USAV insurance to be valid during a lesson
- Lesson coaches are outside contractors. Epic is not responsible for any actions or injuries sustained during a lesson.
- In the case of group lessons if more than 5 members from a team are involved, then the entire Epic team must be invited. (they do not have to participate)
- Lessons are not required, nor are they a prerequisite for an Epic player.
- Lessons cancelled less than 48 hours prior to the lesson time should still be paid for.
All Lessons are held at Epic Training Center: 1516 N Main St, Crown Point, IN
Jill Schopieray
Jill played at Ferris State and also has coached collegiately at Bradley University and St. Joseph's College. Additionally, she has varsity coaching experience at Big Rapids. She absolutely loves coaching youth to learn to love the game of volleyball the way that she loves it.
Jill Schopieray
219-863-6659
jillschopieray@gmail.com
All ages, all positions (including setters)
Crystal Brittain
Crystal’s volleyball journey began with Diamond Elite, now Epic United Volleyball, where she played six years of club volleyball. Her high school playing career was at T.F. South High School, where she earned numerous accolades, including Times Player of the Year honors. Crystal went on to compete at the Division I level at Georgia State University as a 6-rotation outside hitter, where she developed the competitive mindset, leadership skills, and passion for the game that continue to shape her coaching philosophy today.
Over the past 8+ years, Crystal has coached at both the high school and club levels, building successful programs and mentoring athletes through private training. Most recently, she served as the Head Varsity Volleyball Coach at Greater Atlanta Christian School, where she led a seven-team program, guided her varsity team to multiple region championships and a State Runner-Up finish, and earned Area Coach of the Year honors and Region Coach of the Year honors three times.
Crystal brings her passion for player development to private lessons and positional training at Epic. She is committed to developing athletes both on and off the court by focusing on skill development, increasing volleyball IQ, and building the confidence, leadership, discipline, and mindset needed to compete at the highest levels. Her private lessons are designed to help each athlete grow as a complete player through goal setting, skill refinement, and mentorship that extends beyond the game.
Crystal has coached and trained athletes of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to advanced competitors. While she enjoys developing every athlete, her primary focus is advanced training for pin hitters (outside and right-side hitters) and defensive specialists/liberos.
Crystal Brittain
708-983-9127
cbrittainvb@gmail.com
All ages
Pin Hitters & DS/Liberos
Jackie Eader
Jackie is going on her 10th year of coaching where she has experience coaching 3rd-9th grade club and non-club players. Jackie played 7 years of club volleyball with Epic, each year being on the elite team. Jackie played volleyball and graduated from Lake Central High School where she also ended up coaching at. She went on to play college volleyball and graduated in 2020. She works with Epic full time and can coach all ages, all positions. She loves the younger aged athletes and teaching the game. She specializes in hitting/arm swing work.
Caroline Krueger
Caroline Krueger brings many years of high-level volleyball experience to every lesson. She competed for top teams at Epic United Volleyball, including winning the USAV Girls Junior National Championship in the 17 National Division. Caroline was also a four-year varsity starter at Lake Central High School before continuing her career as a Division I athlete at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Her training sessions are built on the advanced coaching, knowledge, and competitive experience she has gained throughout her volleyball journey.
CAITLIN ALWINE
Coach Caitlin Alwine is a Crown Point High School graduate who continued her volleyball career at Calumet College of St. Joseph and Indiana University Northwest.
Throughout her collegiate career, she set school records and earned national recognition as a libero.
With more than 10 years of club coaching experience and four years of varsity high school coaching experience, Caitlin is passionate about developing fundamentally sound, confident athletes. While she specializes in training defensive specialists, liberos, and setters, Caitlin has experience developing athletes across all positions and enjoys helping players grow their overall volleyball IQ. Her coaching philosophy emphasizes strong fundamentals, competitive effort, and challenging athletes to reach their full potential while creating a positive environment where players can build confidence both on and off the court.
Caitlin Alwine
574-903-4912
Setters
DS/Liberos
MARY REDDEN
(On medical leave - text directly to book)
Mary's volleyball journey started in the Chicagoland area, where she played for Second City Volleyball Club under Niels Pedersen. She was part of a National Championship team and also helped bring home a bronze medal with Second City Nike.
In high school, Mary played for powerhouse Mother McAuley, winning the Illinois State Championship in 1995 and finishing as runner-up in 1996. That 1995 team was ranked Mizuno's #1 National team. Mary went on to play at Ohio State University. Over the years, Mary has coached and mentored setters in a variety of roles, always focusing on building strong technical skills and a deep understanding of the position.
Mary brings her passion for setting to positional practices at Epic, as well as private lessons. She's excited to help setters develop their technical skills and confidence - one set at a time.
Mary Redden
708-921-3228
Setters
RACHEL LEE
Rachel has been coaching volleyball for 5 years, with experience coaching at both the varsity and club levels. She played on her university’s club team for 2 years before taking on the role of team captain for another 2 years. Rachel works with players of all positions and ages, helping them develop a deeper understanding of the game. She finds great fulfillment in watching her players grow both as athletes and individuals, fostering a love for the sport along the way.
ANDREA GRIFFIN
Andrea Griffin (formerly Kozak) is a 2021 Carthage Volleyball where she was a part of the 2019 NCAA D3 Final 4 & 2021 AVCA Invite National Championship Team. She was primarily a Middle Hitter and received 1st team All CCIW/AVCA recognition. She has 3 years coaching experience where she head coached U17s and worked with the U15-U18 age levels. Her primary focus is attacking and blocking & she loves working with motivated athletes to improve not only their on the court skills, but their volleyball IQ as well. She is an alumni from Diamond Elite Volleyball Academy, which was one of the clubs that merged to become Epic United Volleyball.
JENINE BOYLES
Hi, my name is Jenine Boyles. I'm from Chicago IL, and I'm a retired collegiate volleyball player. I have trained in my younger years of playing, with Epic Volleyball club since age 12. I have coached full travel teams since 2019. I started in Hammond, IN. I have experience coaching 12s, 13s,14s,15s and 16s. I focus on speed and agility and specialize with all hitters (OH,MH,RH).
PETRA MCMULLEN
Petra has been coaching volleyball for 12+ years and has coaching experience at a variety of levels from ages 12 to the collegiate level. She has been with Epic since the very beginning dating back to when the club was Diamond Elite. She played 4 years at Indiana University Northwest before becoming an assistant Coach at her Alma mater. Petra enjoys watching her players fall in love with the game and witnessing her players' progress in every facet of the game.
Other Epic Approved Coaches
Grant Bell
gbell@andreanhs.com
All ages, all positions
Mhejhana Williams
mw.epicvb@gmail.com
All ages, all positions
Marissa Gutierrez
maricgutierrez615@gmail.com
All ages, all positions
Breonn Green
bree.green@icloud.com
All ages, all positions
Alexandria Martinez
alexandria.martinez906@gmail.com
All ages, all positions
David Rodriguez
drodvb23@icloud.com
All ages, all positions