COACHES
Richard Lake
Founder & Director
Rich Lake is an accomplished volleyball coach and the founder of Tsunami Volleyball Club, which he established in 2009. With an unwavering passion for developing both athletes and programs, Lake has built Tsunami Volleyball Club into one of the most respected volleyball clubs in the region, helping athletes at all levels achieve their full potential.
As the head coach for both the men's and women's volleyball teams at Clovis High School since 1996, Rich has become one of the most decorated and successful high school volleyball coaches in California. Under his leadership, the Clovis teams have captured an impressive 7 CIF Central Section Championships, along with a CIF Southern Regional Championship. His teams have also dominated the TRAC 6 conference, winning 12 conference titles during his tenure. In recognition of his outstanding coaching achievements, Lake has been named Coach of the Year 11 times.
Rich’s volleyball journey began as a player, and his accomplishments as an athlete are equally remarkable. He is a proud member of the LA Pierce Community College Men's Volleyball Team, which won the 1992 State Championship, an achievement that earned him a place in the LA Pierce College Hall of Fame.
With over 25 years of coaching experience, Rich Lake continues to be a driving force in the volleyball community, known for his strategic mind, dedication to player development, and his ability to build winning programs both at the high school and club levels.
Montana Kaufmann
Administrative Director
Coach Kaufmann grew up in Clovis, California where she attended Clovis High School and played four years of varsity volleyball under Richard Lake. She was a three-sport varsity athlete earning three Sassano Blankets, and was awarded the CHS Athlete of the Year in 2013. In 2011, she was awarded ESPN 940am "Athlete of the Year" for the Central Valley. Coach Kaufmann played for Tsunami Volleyball Club her sophomore and junior club season, before finishing at Pacific Premier Volleyball Academy her senior season. During her senior year, she was recruited to play Indoor Volleyball and Track & Field at Fresno Pacific University. While at FPU, she earned a spot on the All-PacWest women's volleyball third team her senior year.
Coach Kaufmann is now a PE teacher and the head varsity girls and boys coach at Sanger West High School. In Sanger West's second year as a program, Coach Kaufmann led her boys team to a NYL League title and was named Coach of the Year. In her first year as the girls head coach, she led her team to a CMAC 2 League Championship and was named Coach of the Year. She has also coached at Selma High School (2017-2019), indoor club volleyball, (PacPre 2015-2018, Tsunami 2018-Present), and beach volleyball (Shorebreak 2021-2022).
Trey Lake
Director of Operations & Player Development
Trey Lake is a true volleyball enthusiast who has made significant contributions to the game both as a player and a coach. Growing up, Trey had the extraordinary fortune of being raised by his father, Richard Lake, a legendary and highly acknowledged coach in the volleyball world, whose dual role as a parent and mentor played a significant part in shaping Trey's passion and success in the sport.
During Trey’s high school career at Clovis High, he was a four-year starter and three-year captain for the Clovis Cougars, leading the team to a league championship and a state regional championship. His exceptional skills and leadership abilities earned him accolades such as the Sassano Blanket Award and Male Athlete of the Year. His talent and dedication was further recognized with a college scholarship, paving the way for a successful playing career at Menlo College where he served as a 2 year starter during his 2 years in attendance.
Transitioning into coaching, Trey has spent the past eight years coaching teams such as the Clovis High Men's & Women’s Teams, Tsunami Volleyball Club, Coast Volleyball Club(18s National Champions), Menlo High School, and Academy Volleyball Club. Trey is excited to continue coaching with Tsunami Volleyball Club, where he can continue to ignite his love for the game and inspire future generations.
Benji Barbo
Coach
Coach Benji grew up in Clovis, California, and played at Clovis High School under Richard Lake. During his time at Clovis High, the teams he was a part of were league champions, Central Section runner-ups, and Division I State runner-ups. Coach Benji is on staff at Clovis High School for the boys and girls program and has coached with Tsunami Volleyball Club since 2020. Since his time with TVC, he led his 14s to win the 14 USA National Championships in 2023, he has led his 14s boys to win second in the NorCal power league, as well as winning the 14s division at Far Westerns in 2023. Coach Benji currently works at Clark Intermediate and is the director of operations for Clovis High girls' and boys' volleyball programs.
Makena Clarke
Coach
Coach Ogas played 4 years of varsity volleyball under Richard Lake. She earned the Sassano blanket her senior year at Clovis High. Coach Ogas went on to play four years of indoor volleyball at Fresno Pacific University. Her senior year at Fresno Pacific she earned a spot on the All-PacWest Second Team. Coach Ogas has three years of club coaching experience and currently teaches and coaches at Clovis High School.
​
Damian Vang
Coach
Coach Damian played volleyball at Clovis High under Richard Lake. Coach Damian has coached at Clovis High since 2017. In his first year of coaching the Frosh team, he went 10-0 and won league. In his second year, he went 8-2 also winning league. Since 2019, he has been the varsity assistant boy’s coach. In his time with Varsity, the team has been to 3 Central Section Finals and 2 Division 1 Regional State Championships. In 2023, Damian led his team to 3rd overall in NCVA League earning a bid for Junior Nationals.
​
Kendal Kubo
Coach
Kendal Kubo started his coaching career in 2012 at Clark intermediate where he led the girls and boys program to multiple championships. After his years at Clark, in 2019 Coach Kubo became the Varsity Assistant Coach underneath Richard Lake. Together they have created winning teams with winning attitudes. In addition to his school coaching, Coach Kubo is returning to Tsunami for his 10 year coaching club. He prides himself in creating teams that are resilient, forward leaning, and selfless and he cannot wait to be back in the gym.
​
​
Jill Penner
Coach/ Social Media Manager
​Coach Jill Penner played volleyball as an outside hitter at Clovis West High School. She led her team to a Valley Championship title gaining herself First Team All League in 2019. This was a special year for her because it was her dad, Rob Beards, first year on the CW coaching staff in the girls volleyball program. He plays a big role in her love for the game and passion for coaching. At West, she was a three sport athlete playing volleyball, soccer and running track. Jill was awarded Female Athlete of the Year in 2020. Jill's career continued on to Fresno City College where she played beach & indoor volleyball. At Fresno City Jill was apart of an undefeated league season in 2022 being CVC Champions. Coach Jill also coaches beach volleyball! She is extremely passionate about coaching in the valley because she loves making new connections & spreading her love for the game. ​
​
_edited.jpg)
Allen Moua
Coach​
​Played at Clovis High, Played in college at Cal Poly Humboldt, Assisted Cal Poly Humboldt's women's team in 2021 and College of the Redwoods in 2023, Currently the Assistant Varsity Coach at Sanger West High School (League Champs for Boys & Girls in 2024), Has coached Tsunami on and off since 2018
​
Emma Penberthy
Coach
Coach Emma grew up in Clovis, California and attended Clovis High School where she played varsity volleyball and badminton. She played for Tsunami Volleyball Club from 5th grade all the way through her senior year of high school. After she graduated high school she was recruited to play both indoor and beach volleyball for the Fresno City Rams. During her time there they were back to back Conference Champs and also won the State Championship in 2021. Coach Emma now works at Clark and coaches both girls and boys volleyball along with girls badminton. Coach Emma has been coaching Tsunami for 4 years now and is excited to continue teaching the future generations.
​
​
Kyle Roden
Coach
Coach Kyle grew up in Gilroy, CA where she attended Christopher High School. She earned the Monterey Bay Sportsmanship award in 2015. She played club volleyball for Adrenaline Volleyball Club. Coach Kyle played beach volleyball at Gavilan College in 2023. Coach Kyle previously coached at Northcoast Volleyball Club. Coach Kyle looks forward to spreading her knowledge of the sport and building young athletes with her fun and outgoing coaching style. Aside from volleyball, Kyle is a full-time veterinary technician, chasing her dreams of becoming a veterinarian.
​
​
_edited.jpg)
Karina Rodriguez
Coach
Karina Rodriguez began her volleyball career with Tsunami. She is excited to be back coaching & helping inspire girls that were in her same shoes when she fell in love with the game. Karina played for Clovis High School & earned MVP in her season year as well as becoming a national champion for club during her 18s season. She now plays for Fresno City where she has won a conference championship & is excited for what the future has in store as she expands her love for volleyball into coaching.
​
​
​
_edited.jpg)
Kaiessa Sounart
Coach
Kaiessa grew up in Chandler, AZ where she played at Club One Volleyball for 5 years. She also played for Corona del Sol High School and was runner-up in the state championship in 2017 and 2018. She then played at Scottsdale Community College in 2019 where she won the NJCAA DII National Championship. She transferred to Fresno Pacific University in 2021 where she played her last 2 years and earned Academic All-PacWest Honors. Kaiessa is excited to coach with Tsunami where she can further share her love for the game with the next generation.
​
​
Juliana Ray
Coach
Coach Juliana grew up in Clovis, California and she currently attends Clovis High School as a senior where she played three years of Varsity volleyball. She has been playing club indoor volleyball for seven years as well as beach volleyball for five years. During her season for Clovis High Volleyball, her team won TRAC championships in the Fall 2024 season. Coach Juliana has worked at volleyball training camps for Tsunami and has officiated AAU tournaments. She is excited to take her volleyball journey to the next level with coaching and looks forward to getting to know her team. After graduation, coach Juliana plans on attending a four year university and continuing her coaching career.
​
​
Erin Tatum
Coach
Coach Erin grew up in Clovis, California where she attended Clovis High School. She played volleyball, basketball and badminton with her time there. Erin played for Tsunami Volleyball club from 7th grade until her senior year of high school. After graduating high school she played a season at Fresno City college, now works within CUSD and coaches volleyball at Clark intermediate.
​
​
Ximena Munoz
Coach
Coach Ximena is a senior at Clovis High School where she played Varsity volleyball for 2 years. Coach Ximena played club volleyball for 6 years and even played for Tsunami! Coach Ximena has worked at summer training camps for Clark Intermediate and Clovis High, as well as officiated girls AAU tournaments. Coach Ximena plans to attend a 4-year University after high school and study law. Coach Ximena is excited to start coaching and help young girls find their passion for Volleyball!
​
​