SINA AGHASSY
Club Director | Founder
sina.aghassy@gmail.com / 818-523-2650
Sina is the Founder & Club Director at SoCal Legends Volleyball Club. He is a San Fernando Valley native who attended Taft High School where he played under Head Coach Arman Mercado who he considers a mentor. Sina played Libero at the Division 1 level at the University of Hawaii & at Cal State University of Northridge under coaches Charlie Wade & Jeff Campbell. He is also the Head Coach for the Girls & Boys Varsity Program at Chatsworth Charter HS where he has won 3 City Championships & been named Coach of the Year 3 times! Most recently, Sina has been named an AVCA Thirty Under 30 Award Receipent awarded to the top coaches under the age of 30 in the nation!
After playing he began coaching and discovered a new understanding & passion for the game. His commitment to doing things the right way, in life and in volleyball, makes him an excellent role model for aspiring young athletes. His coaching career began at Poly HS, guiding his teams to the Playoffs every year since he started in 2012. He then moved onto assisting at Taft HS in 2014, helping guide the Toreaders to a CIF LA City Championship with the girls. Sina was hired at Chatsworth HS in 2015 as the Boys & Girls Varsity Head Coach. He helped lead Chatsworth to City Championships in both 2015 & 2016 becoming the first coach in school history to ever win both a Girls & Boys Championship within the same year. He then lead the Chatsworth Girls back to a City Championship in 2017 & 2019, as well as a State Playoff win in 2018. Now he steps into a new chapter of providing an innovative and progressive volleyball club to the San Fernando Valley area and is thrilled about it!
After playing he began coaching and discovered a new understanding & passion for the game. His commitment to doing things the right way, in life and in volleyball, makes him an excellent role model for aspiring young athletes. His coaching career began at Poly HS, guiding his teams to the Playoffs every year since he started in 2012. He then moved onto assisting at Taft HS in 2014, helping guide the Toreaders to a CIF LA City Championship with the girls. Sina was hired at Chatsworth HS in 2015 as the Boys & Girls Varsity Head Coach. He helped lead Chatsworth to City Championships in both 2015 & 2016 becoming the first coach in school history to ever win both a Girls & Boys Championship within the same year. He then lead the Chatsworth Girls back to a City Championship in 2017 & 2019, as well as a State Playoff win in 2018. Now he steps into a new chapter of providing an innovative and progressive volleyball club to the San Fernando Valley area and is thrilled about it!
Theo Edwards
Technical Director | recruiting Coordinator
Theo Edwards joins SoCal Legends VBC as the Technical Director overseeing player development, coaching & college recruitment for the club. He is currently the Associate Head Coach at Cal Satate University of Northridge while coaching 9 years for the Matadors. Edwards, who played for the Matadors from 2006-2010, earned a Silver Medal as an assistant with USA Volleyball at the 2014 Pan Am Cup and also served as an assistant for USA Volleyball's Youth National Team at the 2017 World Championships in Bahrain. Theo has also spent several seasons coaching club volleyball, most recently with Bones Volleyball Club in Thousand Oaks from 2015-18.
A 2010 graduate of CSUN, Edwards had his finest season as a senior in 2010 as the Matadors reached the NCAA Tournament semifinals. He led the team with 379 kills and a 3.32 kills per game average as the Matadors finished the season 23-10. A five-time Dean's List honoree from 2006-2010 as well as a CSUN Varsity "N" academic recipient from 2006-2010, he earned his bachelor of arts degree in Behavioral Sciences in 2010. He and his wife Kate have two children, Oliver and Rain and reside in Northridge. Theo brings a depth of experience, knowledge & ability into the gym. We are so excited to add a coach of his caliber into our club & family as he will be such a valuable addition to our entire club & family!
A 2010 graduate of CSUN, Edwards had his finest season as a senior in 2010 as the Matadors reached the NCAA Tournament semifinals. He led the team with 379 kills and a 3.32 kills per game average as the Matadors finished the season 23-10. A five-time Dean's List honoree from 2006-2010 as well as a CSUN Varsity "N" academic recipient from 2006-2010, he earned his bachelor of arts degree in Behavioral Sciences in 2010. He and his wife Kate have two children, Oliver and Rain and reside in Northridge. Theo brings a depth of experience, knowledge & ability into the gym. We are so excited to add a coach of his caliber into our club & family as he will be such a valuable addition to our entire club & family!
Jana Harper
Administration
sclegendsvbc@gmail.com
Jana Harper brings efficiency and accuracy to her role as the primary administrative figure for SoCal Legends VBC. Jana's impressive background in the world of education & organization, combined with her knowledge of all things club volleyball after more than ten years experience brings so much value to our club. She has many years of experience with both her children playing both high school and club volleyball, as she offers a unique perspective on communication for our parents within the club. Her attention to detail is unparalleled as she does her best to take as much off the plates of our families and coaches so they can focus on the game the love!
CJ Suarez
Boys 18-Elite head Coach
CJ Suarez joins SoCal Legends VBC as the Boys 18-Elite Coach this year. He currently plays professionally in the VLA for the Phoenix Ascension, coaches the CSUN Mens Club Team, along with being a PT Aide too. CJ also played Libero at CSUN from 2014-2017 as he was a standout player for the Matadors. He has a wealth of knowledge from playing professionally, Division 1 volleyball and now from his different coaching experiences.
A 2012 graduate from Verdugo Hills HS, Suarez earned three varsity letters in volleyball for the Dons. He played outside hitter for coach William Reinhart as he earned first team All-East Valley League honors in both 2011 and 2012. He was named league MVP in 2012 as his team won the East Valley championship. CJ brings a depth of commitment, knowledge & experience into the gym. He is going to be a very valuable piece for our club and the Legends family!
A 2012 graduate from Verdugo Hills HS, Suarez earned three varsity letters in volleyball for the Dons. He played outside hitter for coach William Reinhart as he earned first team All-East Valley League honors in both 2011 and 2012. He was named league MVP in 2012 as his team won the East Valley championship. CJ brings a depth of commitment, knowledge & experience into the gym. He is going to be a very valuable piece for our club and the Legends family!
Alex Sanchez
boys 16-Elite Head Coach | Girls 17-Elite Head Coach
alex.sanchez43@yahoo.com / (213) 324-0582
Alex Sanchez has been playing & coaching the game of volleyball for over 10 years now. After playing for Head Coach Cooper Chavez at Notre Dame HS & at the Santa Monica Beach Club, he moved onto play collegiately at Pierce College & Ottawa University. After playing collegiately, Alex began his coaching career at Elite VBC in Chatsworth along with assisting & doing JV at Chatsworth HS. He has helped assist the Chancellors to 3 Championships in the CIF LA City Section, while developing players skills throughout the years.
He absolutely loves the sport & was taught by great coaches and players who have given him the tools and inspiration to teach the game of volleyball. Now after coaching for Chatsworth HS for the past four years, he will now be coaching for SoCal Legends and continuing that legacy!
He absolutely loves the sport & was taught by great coaches and players who have given him the tools and inspiration to teach the game of volleyball. Now after coaching for Chatsworth HS for the past four years, he will now be coaching for SoCal Legends and continuing that legacy!
Haress "BARS" Malal
Boys assistant Coach
Ahm70203@gmail.com
Haress Malal, also known as Coach "Bars, is no stranger to the sport of volleyball, combining for almost 15 years of playing & coaching experience. He started off playing at Taft HS where he was selected as the City Player of the Year in 2007 as a Runner-Up his Senior year. After playing for Coach Mercado, he continued his education at Cal State Northridge receiving a Biology Degree while still playing & coaching at Taft. He was the Boys JV Coach from 2010-2015 before focusing on his career. Now he is making a comeback towards coaching with SC Legends in his second year as he helps create a culture of attention to detail & spreading the love for the game he shows every time he is in the gym!
Omri Azarly
Girls 17-Hybrid Head Coach | Boys 16-ELITE Assistant COACH
Omri Azarly is no stranger to coaching & playing volleyball in the Van Nuys area. He is currently the Girls & Boys Head Volleyball Coach at Van Nuys HS, where he has been since 2018. His coaching expriences also include two seasons coaching at California Blue Volleyball Club, two seasons at West Edge Volleyball Club & one season at Supernova All-Stars most recently.
He began his volleyball career as a player at Van Nuys HS lettering 4 years on Varsity under Head Coach Mike Del Homme as a libero while also playing a season of club volleyball at Bones VBC. He then transitioned into coaching the JV volleyball at Van Nuys before being promoted as the Van Nuys Wolves Head Coach in 2018. His passion for the game fuel him, as he’s such a student of the game & teaching the game to others. We are excited to bring that fuel to SoCal Legends!
Juan siliezar
Girls 14-Elite Head Coach
Coach Juan is entering his second season as coach for SoCal Legend VBC. Juan started off as a player at Chatsworth HS playing all 4 years at Chatsworth and 2 under Coach Sina Aghassy. He was apart of the 2016 Boys City Championship Team as a Senior. He then moved to Pierce College where he played under coach Lance Walker for a year. Juan began his coaching career coaching the 2018 Boys Chatsworth JV team to a (28-9) Overall Record & a (7-3) WVL Record. In 2019, he helped out on the girls side as an Assistant as the Chancellors won the 2019 CIF LA City Section Division 1 Championship. He was a pivotal piece in scouting and helping prepare Chatsworth for their 5th Championship on the Girls Side. He has coached at Chatsworth HS, SMBC, Exult VBC and looks to bring all those experiences to the Legends coaching staff as a valuable addition!
Kiana LANDSMAN
GIRLS 14-ELite Assistant COACH
Kiana Landsman joins SoCal Legends VBC with many experiences in the Volleyball Community. Currently, she is the FS Coach at Chatsworth Charter HS, where she has been coaching since 2018. She also has experiences coaching 2 seasons at Exult VBC on the girls side at the 14's & 15's age groups. She started her coaching career at Sierra Canyon coaching the at the Lower School with 4th-6th graders.
Kiana started her volleyball career playing at Brucers VBC along with Elite VBC before finishing her club career at LAVA-West. She was a 4 year player on Varsity at Chatsworth HS. She has exceled on the court as an All-League & All-City player before winning a City Championship for Chatsworth in 2015. Her playing success followed her along in her coaching experiences, as she brings valuable experiences of coaching younger levels within the SoCal Legends Family!
Kiana started her volleyball career playing at Brucers VBC along with Elite VBC before finishing her club career at LAVA-West. She was a 4 year player on Varsity at Chatsworth HS. She has exceled on the court as an All-League & All-City player before winning a City Championship for Chatsworth in 2015. Her playing success followed her along in her coaching experiences, as she brings valuable experiences of coaching younger levels within the SoCal Legends Family!
Gabriel Ylo
Girls 14-Elite Assistant Coach
Coach Gabe Ylo joins the SC Legends staff after playing as a setter at University High School. He then became the Head Coach at Vaughn High School where he led the boys program to a City Championship in 2019 in Division 3. He was also selected as the Division 3 Coach of the Year that same season. He brings an approach that is enthusiastic, energetic, and creates great relationships with his players.
Coach Gabe graduated from the University of La Verne where he got his Teaching Credential. Previously, Coach Gabe coached at Exult VBC where he was the Boys Club Director leading their top high school teams. He is currently a Special Education Teacher at Vaughn High School where he still coaches the Boys Volleyball Program. He is excited to join the SoCal Legends Staff this season on the girls side as he hopes to bring his enthusiatic passion for the game to the players to create a positive environment to the club!
Kelly Landsman
girls 17-Hybrid Assistant COACH
Kelly has been around the game of volleyball since as long as she can remember. After picking up the sport at the young age of 10 years old, she has had an illustrious playing career throughout club & high school. She began at Elite Volleyball Club while moving on to LAVA-West where she won a gold medal at Junior Nationals during her 2018 Season. More success followed her at Chatsworth HS, where she was a starter on Varsity under Club Director Sina Aghassy since her Freshman year. She is also the only Chancellor to win a CIF All-City Selection in all 4 years playing at Chatsworth. She has also brought home 2 City Championships during the 2015 and 2017 Seasons. She was also her Class Valedictorian while now moving on to study Interior Design at Cal State University of Northridge. Kelly is now beginning her coaching career in the club ranks at SoCal Legends VBC as she continues her commitment to excellence!
