Kristine Nielsen
About my volleyball career:
I was introduced to the sport of volleyball in either second or third grade, thanks to the Boys and Girls Club and I was hooked immediately. My mom and dad playing on a co-ed team recreationally helped form my love as well. Seventh grade JV was the first competitive volleyball team I made and from there went on to play eighth grade varsity, freshman C-team, JV for sophomore year and varsity for junior and senior year. Club play wasn’t very popular for that age group at the time so I began my club career after my freshman season on C-team for a club that is no longer in existence called Club Dig-It (based out of the Duvall/Carnation area).
Junior year, I was chosen by my teammates as the most improved player and senior year I was received honorable mention for the Cascade Conference. I went on to play one year at Edmonds Community College under the direction of head coach, Bill Kellogg. After that I played many season of women’s recreational 6 on 6 as well as co-ed.
About my coaching career:
When my senior year volleyball season was over, I went on to coach 11-12 year olds for Club Dig-It. I was the head coach with that affiliation for two more season (age group 13s & 14s) and the club disassembled shortly after. I became the head coach for a 14s team for NWJRS and then received the opportunity to be the head coach for Cle Elum-Roslyn High School. I spent two years coaching for that high school while living part-time with family friends there and commuting back and forth over the pass for work. After my second season there, I decided to return to NWJRS and coached there for four more seasons. I finished my last season with NWJRS in 2014 and received the opportunity to be the first assistant coach for Bellevue College under head coach, Kim Culliton for the 2014-2015 season where I took a year-long hiatus before committing to coaching with WVBA.
Education:
Cedarcrest High School ’05 (Duvall, WA)
Edmonds Community College
Bellevue Community College
Coaching:
Club Dig-It (2005 – 2007)
NWJRS (2007 – 2008)
Cle Elum-Roslyn High School (2008 – 2010)
NWJRS (2010 – 2014)
Bellevue College (2014)
WVBA (2015 – )
Professional:
Besides coaching for WVBA, I work as an office assistant for Bobby Wolford Trucking in Maltby.
Personal:
I just recently got married (August 2015) to my husband, Cory and currently reside in the Bothell area. While we don’t have any HUMAN kids yet, we have three furbabies – Arthur, Franklin, and Rocky. Things I like to do when I’m not on the court are work out, go hiking, ride quads, go fishing, and watch/attend Seahawk games.
Coaching certs:
IMPACT
Coaching philosophy:
I strive to create a fun, yet disciplined & atmosphere in the gym/on the court, while challenging my players to be better today than they were the day before, both on and off the court. I like to challenge my players to compete to the best of their ability and force themselves to step out of their comfort zones in order to learn something new each day.