Get to know the dedicated coaches and passionate staff behind Red Rock Heat Volleyball Club. We come from all walks of life and are united in our passion to develop volleyball players here in Southern Utah! We’re fortunate enough to be working with the best, and we know that we really couldn’t have started this club without our incredible coaches! Read more about our individual professional coaches below.
Jen Waters
Club Founder and Director
The Red Rock Heat Volleyball Club was founded by Jen out of a dream to offer more for her own daughters and other families in the area. Jen's focus is the players. "We want to offer opportunity, un-paralleled coaching, and value to our players. I want every player to feel important and thier parents to feel like they have invested their hard earned money into something that is not offered anywhere else."
Robyn Felder
Head Coach 17U
Club Director over Coaching and Recruiting
Miahna Earl
Head Coach 16U
Coach Miahna has a special ability to teach volleyball in a fun, easy to understand atmosphere. Miahna played Volleyball in her younger years as an outside hitter where she still holds 7 records at her high school. Miahna went on to play as a Libero at Southern Utah University. After her playing career, Miahna started coaching Club volleyball as well as coaching as the assistant varsity coach/ head JV coach at Dixie High. After getting married, Miahna stepped down from high school coaching but continues to coach club. The growth from her players speaks for her ability to coach both beginner and advanced players. Her passion for the game and enthusiasm is contagious.
Whitnee Tupe
Head Coach 14U
For the last 10 years, Robyn has been the head coach for Dixie State Volleyball where she led her Trailblazers to success on and off the court. Robyn just recently stepped down so that she could focus her time and talents watching and helping her own growing children become successful athletes. We are so lucky to have Robyn share with our athletes her extensive knowledge and experience of the sport of volleyball.
Coach Whitnee is in her 3rd season of her second stint as a Dixie State volleyball assistant coach after serving 3 seasons (2016-18) on the coaching staff at Snow College.
A native to Santa Clara, Utah, Tupe graduated from Snow Canyon High School in 2005. She went on to play volleyball at Dixie State for 2 seasons, where she earned her Associates degree in Science.
Whitnee brings a wealth of knowledge for both beginners and advanced players. We are thrilled to have her as part of our club.
Annie Stephens
Head Coach 15U
Annie (Stradling) Stephens played college volleyball at Southern Utah University. Annie was a two-time Big Sky All-Academic awardee, and holds the SUU single match record after hitting .667 (13-1-18).
After graduating from SUU with her B.S. in Human Nutrition, she started her coaching career at SUU as an Assistant Coach and later received her M.S. in Sports Conditioning and Performance. Throughout her time she helped with recruiting, scouting, budgeting, travel, and served as the summer camp coordinator. Annie was the Interim Head Coach at SUU for a short period, where she was responsible for all administrative and organizational aspects of running a Division 1 program.
After four years as an Assistant Coach, Annie left her position at SUU to start a family, but she stayed connected to volleyball by providing individualized lessons and running different camps and clinics.
Jazmine Orozco "Jaz"
Head Coach 13-1, Assistant 17-1
Whitnnee Nihipali
Head Coach 14-2
Jessica Young
Head Coach 12U Developmental
Emma Ricks-Shelton
Head Coach 13-2
Auriandra Waters
Assistant 14U Whitnee
Auriandra played as a setter and outside at Trinidad State College. Auria finished her high school career locally at Dixie high and helped her team end with a very successful season. This is Auria's second season coaching for Red Rock Heat and she is excited to help coach our 14's players again this season.
Taela Laufiso
Assistant 16-1 Miahna
Taela is the current starting setter for Utah Tech University. With over 643 assists on the year and 174 digs, Taela is having quite a senior season. Prior to UT, Taela played one season at Snow College.
Taela grew up in West Jordan, Utah and played for Copper Hills High School. She helped lead her team to a region crown, while earning Region MVP honors as well as all-state accolades all 3 years. She was a 2 sport athlete, playing basketball and earning all-state honors as well.
We are excited to have Hannah join our Red Rock Heat Family.
Hannah Howard
Assistant 15-1 Annie
Hannah is a current starter for Utah Tech as an outside hitter. Hannah grew up in Bountiful, Utah and played 2 seasons at Farmington High. While there, she was named the 5A All-State MVP and helped lead her team to a region title and state championship match. She was first team all-state, all region and un Under Armour All-American.
Hannah is super excited to start her coaching career with Red Rock Heat and we are excited she is joining our family.
Shelby Wirthlin
Head coach 12U Developmental
Coach Shelby grew up in Lehi, UT.
She has 12 years of playing experience. Shelby was the starting setter for Dixie State University and played in 2 NCAA division 2 tournaments, winning setter of the tournament her final year. After leaving Dixie she graduated nursing school and has since moved back to St. George with her husband and 2 children.
Shelby has assisted in coaching club and helped run numerous camps. She is excited to be working with Red Rock Heat and can't wait to get started!
Coach Jaz began her coaching career in southern Cal. and has coached teams of all ages from developmental to advanced for the past 10 years.
As a player, she competed for Pepperdine University where she was an NCAA D1 All-American, All-AVCA first team, All-WCC first team and two time NCAA player of the week. She was also a member of the 2011 D-1 national runner up team at the University of Illinois and USA volleyball High Performance teams from 2005-2011.
As a youth her club team earned 2 gold medals at the GJNC in both 15U and 18U open.
Coach Jaz strives to train well-rounded athletes, with strong technique, who value the lessons that extend beyond the court. "I've been fortunate to compete at the highest levels, and my greatest joy is seeing my young athletes fall in love with the game, learn and grow."
Whittnee Nihipali joins us as a current graduating college player, playing the last 3 years for Utah Tech and prior to that, playing for the University of Arizona. At 6'2, she is currently the starting outside hitter for Utah Tech and currently leads the team in kills with 183 total on the season, and averages 3.0 kills per set on a .213 hitting average.
Whittnee grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada, and played for Shadow Ridge High School, leading them to a 2017 State Championship. She was the Nevada Gatorade Player of the Year and was selected as an Under Armour All-American. She was also an all-region and all-state pick, including MVP.
Whittnee has coached multiple camps and clinics, and she is excited to offer her knowledge and love of the game to our Red Rock Heat family.
Jessica Young was born in California on the central coast where she grew up playing both indoor and sand volleyball. Jessica played college volleyball in Michigan and after college traveled and played semi-pro sand volleyball in various countries and organizations around the United States.
Jessica is married with three little girls. She has lived in Highland, Utah for several years and has just moved to St. George from California. She is honored to be coaching for the Red Rock Heat Volleyball Club and looks forward to working with up and coming talented youth.
Emma is a current DS/Libero at Utah Tech where she is studying exercise science. Emma started playing at UTU in the spring of 2022 after a stellar career at USU-Eastern. While there, she was awarded defensive player of the year twice and her sophomore year there, she was awarded All-American. She is also a 3-time state champion from Lone Peak High School.
We are thrilled to have Emma help develop our 13U players as they start their own journey into volleyball.
