Staff and Coaches

JOELLEN SAULSBERRY

FACILTY OWNER & CLUB FOUNDER

Executive Club Director / Club Training Concepts, Philosophies & Staff / Contracts / Facility Calendar

jsaulsberry@texastornados.org

KC GLYNN

SENIOR ASSOCIATE CLUB DIRECTOR

Team & Individual Apparel / Parent Liaison / Player Payments / Team Travel Coordinator / Recruiting

kglynn@texastornados.org

BRIANNA HUDSON

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

Recruiting Coordinator / Player Promotions / Social Media / Fundraisers 

brianna@texastornados.org

ASHLEY KLANDER

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

Tumbleweeds & Youth Programs Director / Clinics / Certifications

ashley@texastornados.org

JENNIFER DORIS

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR / ASSISTANT FACILITIES MANAGER

Camps, Clinics, & Summer League Director / Tournament Director / Team Registrations

jen@texastornados.org 

KATHY GIBSON

FACILITY & CLUB ACCOUNTANT

Account Payables & Receivables / Taxes / W-2’s

kathy@texastornados.org

COME JOIN THE TTVB FAMILY

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.

ALYSSA AJLOUNY

Alyssa, a Cypress, TX native, is in her first year coaching club volleyball with Tornados. She also serves as an Operations Coordinator at Young Audiences of Houston, a nonprofit dedicated to arts integration programs. In addition to her nonprofit work, she is in her second season as an assistant volleyball coach at the University of St. Thomas.

A former NCAA Division III athlete, Alyssa played as a six-rotation opposite hitter at the University of St. Thomas, where she was a three-year team captain (2021-2023). She earned MVP honors at the Hendrix Invitational and was recognized on the SCAC All-Sportsmanship Team for three consecutive seasons. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BBA/MBA in finance.

This season, Alyssa leads as the Head Coach of 13 National while also serving as the Assistant Coach for 17 National.

ARSHAWN MYERS

Arshawn returns to the Tornados for his second season of coaching. Originally from Chicago, he currently attends Prairie View A&M University, where he competes for the men’s club volleyball team.

With three years of coaching experience, Arshawn has previously worked with Skyline Academy and San Antonio Magic, the club where he also played from his 14s through 18s seasons. As a player, he earned SLVA Setter of the Week honors twice and was named NVCF Freshman of the Year.

ASHLEY KLANDER

Ashley, a Houston native and former Texas Tornados player, now serves as the Youth Programs & Tumbleweeds Director. She graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in sports media, gaining hands-on experience with Double T Insider and Fox Sports during her undergraduate studies.

After returning to Houston, Ashley pursued coaching to inspire young athletes, just as her coaches had done for her. Now entering her 10th year with Texas Tornados, she has head coached and assisted multiple teams across various age groups. In addition to her work at Tornados, she spent five years coaching junior varsity and varsity at the Emery/Weiner School. She has also been actively involved in the club’s developmental programs, clinics, and leagues.

Passionate about growing the Texas Tornados legacy, Ashley is eager to continue fostering a competitive and positive culture within the program.

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.

BROOKE HUDSON

Brooke Hudson joins the Texas Tornados staff as the Marketing and Fundraising Associate Club Director.

A standout collegiate athlete, Brooke played three seasons at Colorado State University, where she won two Mountain West Championships and made multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. She then transferred to Florida A&M University, making an immediate impact by winning the SWAC Conference Championship and cementing her place in FAMU athletics history. She set the program’s single-season digs record twice, finishing her career with 664 digs in her final season. Brooke was a two-time SWAC Libero of the Year, earned First Team All-Conference honors twice, made the All-Conference Tournament Team twice, and concluded her collegiate career in 2023.

Continuing her journey in the SWAC, Brooke now serves as a collegiate assistant volleyball coach at Prairie View A&M University.

This season marks her fifth year coaching club volleyball. She previously coached for two years in Colorado, one year in Tallahassee, and is now entering her second season with Texas Tornados. She will lead as the Head Coach of 14 Adidas and serve as the Assistant Coach for 17 Adidas.

DANNISHA HOUSE

Danni, a former standout middle blocker from Lamar University, brings six years of club coaching experience to Texas Tornados. This season, she serves as the Head Coach for 16 National and the Assistant Coach for 13 Black.

One of her most memorable coaching moments was leading her 16 National team to the Gold Bracket on Day 3 of a National Qualifier during the 2023-2024 season.

Danni is passionate about player development and excited to continue helping athletes reach their full potential at Texas Tornados.

ERIKA MUGAVERO

Erika, a Cypress-Fairbanks ISD native, has been immersed in volleyball since the 3rd grade. She competed in club volleyball for seven years before graduating high school.

After college, she chose to raise her family in Cypress while staying connected to the game. She has spent the past five years coaching recreational volleyball and is now in her second season with Texas Tornados. This year, Erika serves as the Practice Assistant for 12 National, bringing her passion for player development and teamwork to the program.

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.

Now returning to Texas Tornados for her first season of club coaching, Ielan brings experience from both college and club camps. She is excited to take on the role of Head Coach for 15 National 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.

KARA SPICE

Kara Spice joins Texas Tornados for her first season of club coaching. She has experience working with clinics, Tumbleweeds, and the developmental program, helping young athletes build strong fundamentals. A former collegiate libero at the University of St. Thomas, Kara brings defensive expertise and a passion for growing the game. This season, she will serve as the Assistant Coach of 11 Adidas!

KAT TATUM

Kat Tatum enters her 11th season of club coaching and her third year in Houston. Originally from Flowery Branch, Georgia, she was a high school team captain and held the school record for blocks. She went on to play Division II volleyball at Columbus State University, where she was named CHOA’s Comeback Athlete of the Year.

After relocating to Houston in 2021, Kat joined the coaching staff at the University of St. Thomas as an Assistant Coach. She has also worked Division I camps at LSU and Rice University, gaining valuable experience at the highest levels of the game.

This season, Kat will be the Head Coach of 17 National and the Assistant Coach for both 18 Adidas and 13 National!

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 honors.

This season, Kirby will serve as the Assistant Coach of 14 National and 18 Adidas!

KYLA CRAWFORD

A Texas Tornados alum, Kyla Crawford continued her volleyball career at the Division I level, competing for Texas A&M-Commerce for four years. She later earned her Master’s degree in Sports Management from Texas A&M University.

Off the court, Kyla works as an Administrative Recruiting Assistant for Anesthesia OnCall, but her passion for the game brings her back to Tornados as a coach.

This season, she will be Head Coach of 13 Black!

LAILA ORTEGA

Laila Ortega returns to Texas Tornados with a passion for coaching and player development. Raised in Katy, TX, she has been coaching volleyball since 2009, including experience in sand volleyball. She started playing at the age of 10 and has spent her career shaping athletes aged 12-17 at the club level.

Laila’s coaching philosophy focuses on nurturing the whole person, not just the athlete. She emphasizes life skills such as communication, teamwork, time management, and self-care. Her greatest joy is seeing players achieve their goals through hard work and dedication.

A 14-year educator, Laila currently teaches at a junior high school, where she also coaches volleyball and basketball—leading both teams to Divisional Championships. She is a proud graduate of Katy High School and holds a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education from the University of Houston.

When she’s not coaching, she enjoys spending time with her husband Jorge, their children Bella and Jude, and their dog Frankie. This season, Laila will be the Head Coach of 15 Black!

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.

Lexi helped 14 Adidas compete at Nationals last season and will return as the Head Coach for 11 Adidas this year!

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.

This season, she will serve as Head Coach of 16 Adidas and Assistant Coach of 14 Adidas!

MORGAN JANDA

A Texas Tornados alum, Morgan Janda played three seasons of Division I volleyball at Sam Houston State University, earning 2x All-Conference Setter honors. She later transferred to the University of Houston, where she helped the Cougars reach the Sweet Sixteen in 2022.

Now, Morgan serves as the Director of Operations for Houston Volleyball and is returning for her second season coaching at Tornados with 15 National!

PAIGE REEVE

Paige Reeve joins Texas Tornados for her first season of coaching. An alum and four-year Division I player at Wake Forest University, Paige brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the program.

She is married with a 1-year-old daughter and currently works as a Mental Health Coach. Paige will serve as Tornados' in-house Mental Performance Coach, helping athletes strengthen their mindset both on and off the court.

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.

This season, Taylor will be the Head Coach of 12 Adidas!

TAYLOR JACKSON

Taylor Jackson returns for her second season coaching at Tornados. Born and raised in Cypress, TX, she played Division I volleyball at Nicholls State University before transferring to Prairie View A&M University.

This year, Taylor will be coaching 14 Black!