Coastal Volleyball Club

Kelly will serve as the Coastal VA VBC 12 National Coach this season.
In the 2009-10 season, Kelly served as the lead coach for both Coastal U12 teams. Her coaching style facilitated strong skill development of both teams. In addition, Kelly directed Coastal’s successful inaugural season of a 12U Futures League.
From the beginning of her coaching career, Kelly has always known that she is not coaching for herself; she is there for the young athletes. Kelly is always willing to help out where she is needed. In addition to fulfilling her own team’s needs, over the years, in response to last minute requests, Kelly served as a head coach for a TVA 14N team, an OVC 15U Boy’s team, a Coastal 13Gold team, and a recreation team. When asked why she stepped in, her response was, “They needed a coach.”
At the age of 12, Kelly launched her volleyball career as a captain for her team at Great Bridge Junior High School. After a few years at the lower level, Kelly transitioned well into the varsity level as a four-year starter at Great Bridge High School. In 1983 and 1984, as a team captain, Kelly led her team to two District Regular Season and Tournament Championships. She was a three-sport standout in volleyball, basketball and softball. Kelly was the epitome of the “student-athlete”. Kelly led the Principal’s Advisory Committee, and she was a member of the National Honor Society and many service clubs. In 1985, Kelly became the only athlete to have graduated from Great Bridge High School with twelve (12) varsity letters. Years later, in 1989, Kelly Mills was named high school volleyball player of the decade by the Chesapeake High School coaches.
After high school, Kelly continued to demonstrate her athleticism by playing three sports (volleyball, basketball and softball) at Lenoir-Rhyne College (Now, LRU) in Hickory NC. Majoring in Pre-Engineering, as a freshman, Kelly earned a starting position as a middle blocker playing all six rotations. As a captain in her third year, Kelly was named to the All Carolina’s Conference and District 26 Tournament teams as she led her volleyball team to the NAIA National Championship tournament.
In 2007, Kelly returned to Great Bridge High School to serve as the Assistant Coach of the Junior Varsity Girls Volleyball team which tied for first place. The following year, in 2008, Kelly was named the Head Coach for the Girls Volleyball team at Salem High School in Virginia Beach. In her first year at Salem, the volleyball team achieved the Academic Award for having the highest grade point average among all the fall sports. Kelly has brought a new energy and vast knowledge of the game to Salem. Other coaches in the Beach District have commented that Salem is much stronger program. Janice Johnson, Head Coach of the State Champion Kellam High School Girls Volleyball team wrote, “Salem High School’s Girls Volleyball is thriving under the leadership of head coach, Kelly Mills. Kelly has brought new energy to the team and as a result the teams' skill level has dramatically increased.”
Kelly has a proven track record with her Juniors teams. In 2007 and 2009, Kelly’s 12&Under TVA teams finished second in the Old Dominion Region. In 2008, Kelly coached the TVA 12-1 Shocking Shockwave. The team compiled an impressive record with several regional tournament wins and brought home the inaugural U12 championship trophy from the Capitol Hill Classic in Washington, D.C. The Shocking Shockwave was the first 12&Unders girls’ team to represent the Old Dominion Region at the USA Junior Olympic Girls' Volleyball Championships. In 2010, Kelly led Coastal’s inaugural U12 teams. The two 12’s teams improved more than any other teams in the Old Dominion Region.
From 2007-2009, Kelly served on the Board of Directors for Tidewater Volleyball Association. Kelly is currently a member of the Virginia High School Coaches Association and the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).
When coaching, Kelly draws from her many years of playing experience to teach girls confidence and control. Kelly strives to teach her 12&Under athletes to learn every position on the court so that they develop into competent all-around players. She also believes athletes learn life skills on the volleyball court. With great work ethic, a positive attitude, and a sense of team alliance, the athlete will always succeed on- and off-the court.
With two undergraduate degrees and a professional engineering license, Kelly has been working in the land development field since graduating from Lenoir-Rhyne College and Old Dominion University in 1993. Kelly is currently employed by the City of Chesapeake as a Development Review Coordinator.
Email Kelly at 12NCoach@coastalva.org