About Texas Tornados Volleyball Club

Return your application to jsaulsberry@texastornados.org

JOELLEN SAULSBERRY

Executive Club Director & Facility Coordinator

A California native, JoEllen Saulsberry moved to Houston in 1993 to complete her collegiate volleyball career at the University of Houston. After finishing her eligibility, she stayed on as a student assistant coach, marking the beginning of her lifelong commitment to the sport.

JoEllen began her club coaching career with Houston Juniors in 1993 and Texas Elite in 1994 before stepping into the high school coaching scene as the varsity head coach at St. Pius X High School in 1995. Recognizing the need for a program that aligned with her vision, she co-founded Texas Tornados Volleyball Club in 1995 alongside a former teammate and dedicated parents. What started as four teams and a dream quickly grew into a nationally recognized powerhouse.

By 2001, the club had expanded to over 20 teams, prompting the search for a dedicated facility. With the help of Fred Caldwell, JoEllen and her team secured a 7-acre tract and spent the next three years developing a business plan and securing funding. In December 2004, Texas Tornados opened its doors, solidifying its place as one of Houston’s premier volleyball clubs and earning a spot among the nation’s top 10 programs.

Over the years, JoEllen has played a pivotal role in shaping the club’s training philosophy for both players and coaches. She previously served as the head training coach and recruiting coordinator before entrusting those responsibilities to a growing staff to further enhance Tornados' programs. With 30+ years of coaching experience, she has led numerous teams to success at the Junior Olympics, including first-place Open finishes at major national qualifiers such as the Mid East Qualifier, Colorado Crossroads, and Las Vegas Invitational, as well as an AAU Grand Prix championship. Most recently, in 2023, JoEllen’s team earned a bronze medal at GJNC.

More than wins and championships, JoEllen is passionate about mentoring young athletes and believes in the power of sports to instill lifelong values. Inspired by a transformative high school coach, she has dedicated her career to teaching not just volleyball but also resilience, teamwork, leadership, and personal growth. She firmly believes that how you play the game does not define you—but the lessons you learn along the way will shape the person you become.

Through JoEllen’s vision and leadership, Texas Tornados continues to provide an experience that extends beyond the court, helping young athletes grow into strong, confident individuals ready to take on life’s challenges.

BILL WALTON

Bill Walton, originally from Chicago, Illinois, brings over 44 years of volleyball coach experience to Texas Tornados. His extensive background includes coaching at the college, junior, USA, and professional levels.

Throughout his career, Bill has guided teams to numerous achievements, including regional and national medals, NCAA National Championships, NIVT Championships, and an AIAW 4th Place finish. His junior teams have earned gold, silver, and bronze medals at major tournaments across the country.

As a player, Bill competed at both the collegiate and national levels. He was a MIVA Conference Champion, NAIA National Champion, and member of the USA Men’s National Team. He also represented the U.S. in the 1975 America’s Cup and the 1980 Olympic Festival.

In addition to coaching, Bill serves as a volleyball coach and Associate Professor. He holds degrees from George Williams College and the University of Cincinnati.

BRIANNA HUDSON

Brianna Hudson joins the Texas Tornados staff as the Recruiting Coordinator, Social Media Manager, and Player Promotions lead. A former collegiate athlete, Bri played as a defensive specialist at UTSA for two years before transferring to East Carolina University to complete her playing career.

After finishing her time on the court, Bri returned to UTSA to complete her undergraduate degree while interning with both UTSA Athletics and the San Antonio Spurs. At UTSA Athletics, she collaborated with Sports Information Directors to create media guides, write press releases, conduct post-game interviews, and manage social media for multiple sports, including football, volleyball, softball, soccer, and basketball. With the San Antonio Spurs, she worked closely with the Communications team on game-day operations, including pre- and post-game interviews, media check-ins, game notes, and press box coordination.

Bri graduated Cum Laude from UTSA in 2019 with a degree in communications/public relations and a minor in business. During the pandemic, she pursued her Master’s in Sports Management at Colorado State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2021.

As a coach, Bri has worked with athletes of all ages, coaching both developmental and club programs, including Summer League, Tumbleweeds, and club teams from 12s to 17s. A highly accomplished player, she qualified for GJNC every year from 13s through 18s, capping off her club career by winning a National Championship in her 18s season.

Bri is excited to contribute to the championship culture at Texas Tornados. She is available for private and group lessons and enjoys working with athletes at all levels, whether they’re just starting out or striving to elevate their game. For more information, contact her at brianna@texastornados.org.

IELAN BRADLEY

Ielan, a Texas Tornados alum, finished her club career competing with the program before playing four years of Division I volleyball at Stephen F. Austin University. During her collegiate career, she earned Player of the Year and MVP honors, was named Academic All-District, and received AVCA All-American Honorable Mention recognition.

Ielan brings experience from both college and club camps. She is excited to take on the role of COACH and share her knowledge and passion for the game with the next generation of athletes.

JENNIFER DORIS

Jen Doris joins the Texas Tornados staff after an illustrious volleyball career spanning collegiate, professional, and international play. She competed at the University of Texas at Austin, where she won three Big 12 Championships, played in three Final Fours, and appeared in the 2009 National Championship game. She graduated in just 3.5 years with two degrees before embarking on a decade-long professional career.

Jen played professionally in Puerto Rico—where she was recognized as one of the league’s best blockers—before continuing her career in Azerbaijan and Japan. Over eight seasons in Japan, she earned multiple league honors, including Best Spiker (3x), Best Blocker (3x), and 2nd MVP (2x). She collected four silver medals, one bronze medal, and a Kurashiki Cup bronze medal while achieving two Challenge Match victories, including a historic first-ever win by a Challenge League team in 2013. Jen holds the record as the longest-serving foreign player in Japanese league history and was named match MVP numerous times throughout her career.

A Houston native, Jen was ranked the #3 national recruit by Prep Volleyball and a Fab 50 recruit by Volleyball Magazine. She also competed with Team USA at the Youth World Championships (Macau, China), Junior NORCECA Championships (Mexico), and Junior World Championships (Thailand). She later played with the U.S. Women’s National Team at the TV Azteca Cup (Mexico) and won a gold medal with the A2 Team at the Open National Championships.

KIRBY KLIAFAS

Kirby Kliafas, daughter of Tornados owner and executive director JoEllen Saulsberry, continues the family legacy in her second year of club coaching. She has over three years of experience working with camps, clinics, Tumbleweeds, and Summer League.

As a player, Kirby was a three-time High School First Team All-District selection, an AVCA Watchlist and Phenom honoree, and currently competes at Blinn College, where she earned Second-Team All-American honor.

ALEXIS VAUGHN

Alexis Vaughn is from Cypress, Texas. She has three years of club coaching experience and is entering her fourth season. Alexis also served as the Middle School Director at Cypress Christian School for two years, where she led the program to its first-ever district championship.

As a player, Alexis began her collegiate volleyball career at Abilene Christian University competing at the NCAA Division I level before transferring to Ottawa University in Kansas to continue competing at the NAIA level.

LEXI GLYNN

A Texas Tornados alum, Lexi Glynn played nine years of club volleyball before continuing her career as a DS/Libero at Cedarville University (DII). She is currently completing her degree in Education at Texas A&M University, aspiring to become an elementary teacher. She is in her second-year coaching 11 Adidas!

AIDAN CONNER

Aidan Conner is from Cypress, Tx. She is a student-athlete pursuing his Master’s degree at the University of Houston after earning his Bachelor’s degree from Columbia University.

Aidan brings valuable experience from working at volleyball camps hosted by both Columbia and UH over the past five summers. This year marks her first official season coaching a team, and she is excited to share her passion and knowledge with Tornados athletes.

As a player, Aidan competed for three years of club with Texas Tornados, four years at Columbia University, and is continuing his career at the University of Houston while completing his graduate studies.

DARTANIEL LEWIS

Dartaniel Lewis is from Lafayette. He brings over a decade of coaching experience, including time at Northside High School (2012–2018), Texas Twisters (2020–2022), Texas Tornados (2022–2023), Austin Juniors (2023–2025), and St. Michael’s Prep (2023–2025). He is excited to return home this season to TTVB!

Dartaniel's coaching highlights include qualifying a regional 18s team for Tour of Texas, leading a 16s team to a Top 10 finish in the American Division, and winning undefeated district championships at both Northside and St. Michael’s.

As a player, Dartaniel competed in high-level open gyms and adult leagues. He graduated from McNeese State and now works as a Sales Representative alongside coaching.

MAKAYLA RANDLE

Makayla Randle enters her 8th year of club coaching. As a club player, she placed second at GJNC Nationals during her 17’s season. She continued her volleyball career at the Division I level, competing for Stephen F. Austin University and the University of Houston as a Right-Side Hitter.

Makayla has coached all age groups at the club level, with multiple teams qualifying for Nationals. She finished Top 5 at the 2024 GJNC with her 15’s team. Her coaching style focuses on helping athletes develop their unique style of play while creating a strong team culture.

TAYLOR EVANS

Taylor Evans returns for her 7th year coaching at Tornados. She played JUCO volleyball at Richland College as an Outside Hitter, where she earned 1st Team All-Conference honors. She later served as Team Captain at Houston Community College, leading her squad to a 2018 Lonestar Club Championship.

SANIYA SMITH

Saniya Smith is from Houston, Texas. She has coached with Tornados’ Tumbleweeds program for three years and has also assisted at college camps, including Abilene Christian University.

Saniya has eight years of experience playing club volleyball and is now a student at Prairie View A&M University.

ELLA WENDEL

Ella Wendel is from Pflugerville, Texas. She has two years of prior coaching experience with HJV and is excited for her first season with Tornados.

Ella is a student-athlete at the University of Houston, where she has played volleyball for the past three years and will be starting her senior season this year.