Season: 2025

Kailee Brushwood

Kailee Brushwood | SportsRecruits

About Me

My mom inspires me the most, she always perseveres through everything and that’s something I have always looked up to since I was younger, she’s a strong woman who raised a strong woman.  Something most people don’t know about me is I have always been dedicated since I was younger, I’ve always known what I wanted to do, and I’ve went after it.  In five (5) years I see myself graduating from nursing school and becoming a CRNA.  My senior night in high school and just traveling around with my teammates are some of my most memorable volleyball moments.  I would like to thank my family the most for supporting my volleyball career, they have always pushed me to achieve my goals.

  • High School: River Ridge
  • Hometown: Lacey, WA
  • College Commitment: Saint Martin’s University
  • Degree Pursuing: Nursing

Volleyball Accomplishments:

  • 2X 2nd Team All-League (Jr, Sr)
  • 2X Varsity Team Captain (Jr, Sr)
  • 2X High School Team MVP (Jr, Sr)

Non-Volleyball Accomplishments:

  • New Market Certified Nursing Assistant
  • New Market Student of the Quarter
  • Enrolled in AP & Honors Classes

MY FAVORITES:

“Everything happens for a reason” – Common saying

  • Favorite color: Light Pink

Advice for younger players

The advice I give is to not get distracted, there’s many outside distractions that can come, but stay strong minded and push for your goals.

 

Haylee Tavares-Gernler

Haylee Tavares-Gernler | Sports Recruits

About Me

The person that inspires me the most is my mother because she leads by example and has always taught me to never give up in any hard situation. Something special about me that many people don’t know is that

I really love baking.  In 5 years, I see myself starting to run a business or a part of a bakery.  One my most memorable moments in volleyball was beating my old volleyball club. Another moment would be winning a bid with my 18s team.  I would like to thank my parents, Coach Mike, Coach Duane, all my family.  I would also like to thank all the parents of my teammates each have been extremely helpful and encouraging and last, I would like to thank Coach Pat which all would not have been possible without the opportunity.

  • High School: Puyallup
  • Hometown: Kaneohe, HI (Oahu)
  • College Commitment: Tacoma Community College
  • Degree Pursuing: Business
  • Years at PSVBA: 3

Volleyball Accomplishments:

  • Undefeated League Champs (7th, 8th)
  • Nationals Bid each Club Season
  • High School Varsity Team
  • 5th Place 4A WIAA State
  • 4A WIAA State Sportsmanship Award

Non-Volleyball Accomplishments:

  • Moving from Hawaii to become independent at a young age

MY FAVORITES

E

njoy the little things in life, for one day you will go back and realize they were big things – Kurt Vonnegut

  • Song: I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor
  • Color: Baby Pink

Advice I would give to younger players that look up to me would be to stay consistent never forget why you started, there will be hard days and even days it feels impossible but just know with rain comes flowers and in the end you will be extremely proud of yourself, and all the hard work will be worth it.

 

Grace Holstrom

Grace Holstrom | Sports Recruits

About Me

Someone that inspires me so much is my high school volleyball coach, Christie Oldright. She has taught me how to believe in myself, push myself beyond my limits, and how to compete. She is strong, passionate, and loves the game, and she has taught me so many valuable lessons that I can implement in my future as a student athlete and for that I am forever grateful.  Something about me that many people don’t know is my love for ceramics. I love art as a whole, but this is my favorite medium to work with. I love being creative and working hands-on!

I can see myself beginning to pursue my dream career in graphic design. I am hoping to build connections throughout college and build a network for future internship/job opportunities that may arise.  I would like to thank my family for sacrificing so much for me to be able to play the sport that I love. They have worked so hard and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. I would also like to thank all of my high school and club coaches for always believing in me and always pushing me to be the best version of myself I can be. I have had such positive change in my life because of these people and I can thank them for the person I am today.

  • High School: Olympia
  • Hometown: Olympia, WA
  • College Commitment: Seattle Pacific University
  • Degree Pursuing: Business & Graphic Design
  • Years at PSVBA: 1

Volleyball Accomplishments:

  • WIAA State 4A – 6th place 2022
  • WIAA State 4A – 3rd place 2023
  • 4X time state participant
  • All-State Honorable Mention (2024)
  • 2X Coaches Award
  • 3X Varsity Team Captain Award
  • SPSL All League 2nd Team 2023
  • SPSL All League 1st Team 2024

Non-Volleyball Accomplishments:

  • State Award – 1st Place for Ceramic Box
  • State Award – 3rd Place for Ceramic Jar

MY FAVORITES

If you want something you’ve never had, you have to be willing to do something you’ve never done.

  • Volleyball Memories: Some of my most memorable volleyball moments were going to state– whether it be listening to music on the bus, the fun nights at the hotel, winning games and advancing, making it to the semifinals in 2023–it was so fun to just be there to compete. I will also forever cherish my high school retreat we did every year at Cispus for team building. Hype time in the locker room was one of my favorites too!
  • Song: Walking On A Dream by Empire of the Sun.
  • Color: Orange

I would tell young club players to not put too much pressure on yourself. You are going to make mistakes. You are going to have bad days. But that is what makes you better. Just play loose and have fun, because that is when you do best. Let go of the worries you can’t control, don’t compare yourself to the others around you. Focus on you and your personal progress and always have a positive mindset. With hard work and consistency, you can accomplish whatever you set your mind to.

Dora Karlo

Dora Karlo | Sports Recruits

About Me

My dad inspires me because he understands me like no one else.  He went through everything that I am going through and he always knows how to motivate me and push me to be my best self.  In 5 years from now, I see myself pushing myself to get better, playing volleyball and finishing up college.  After that, on my way to go back to Europe and hoping to play professionally.  I want to thank God, my family, host family, friends, and coaches for supporting me throughout my career!

  • High School: Charles Wright Academy
  • Hometown: Zagreb, Croatia
  • College Commitment: Navarro College
  • Degree Pursuing: Business
  • Years at PSVBA: 2

Volleyball Accomplishments:

  • Winning many National Championships in Croatia
  • 2X High School Team Captain (Jr, Sr)
  • 2X 1st Team All-League (Jr, Sr)

Non-Volleyball Accomplishments:

  • ASSIST Scholar Selection – Full Scholarship
  • Exchange Student

MY FAVORITES

Inspirational Quote:  “The principle is competing against yourself.  It’s about self-improvement, about being better than you were the day before.” – by My Dad (it’s not his quote but he always tells me this)

  • Song: svijet voli pobjednike – colonia
  • Color: Purple
  • Other: I like stuffed animals

Advice I would give to younger players

 

Work hard.  Have dreams, but dreams without goals are just dreams so, know your goals. But have smaller goals that will get you to your big goals, and then by completing the smaller ones everyday you will achieve the big ones!

Bryanna Dodson

Bryanna Dodson | Sports Recruits

About Me

The person that inspires me the most is m

y mom, she is the hardest working, most selfless, thoughtful, and strong person I know.  Something special about me that many people don’t know is that I love to travel and I’ve been to 18 states.

In five years, I hope to be just out of college. Hopefully getting a job that I really enjoy and can spend time traveling before I have a family.

Some of my most memorable volleyball moments are going to nationals with my team my 17s year, getting 4th at state my freshman year, and beating the undefeated #1 seed at state freshman year.

I would like to thank my mom the most for always being my rock. She has been at every single tournament, every game, every win and every loss. She has driven me to every tournament, made sure I had food, and was always my biggest cheerleader no matter what. She put so much time, effort, and money into being there to support me endlessly.

  • High School: Auburn Riverside
  • Hometown: Lake Tapps, WA
  • College Commitment: Whitworth University
  • Degree Pursuing: Business
  • Years at PSVBA: 1

Volleyball Accomplishments:

  • 3A NPSL All League MVP (So)
  • 3A NPSL All League 1st Team (Jr, Sr)
  • All-State Honorable Mention (Jr)
  • 3X HS Varsity Team Captain

Non-Volleyball Accomplishments:

  • 3.89 GPA
  • Varsity Tennis Team

MY FAVORITES

To shine your brightest light is to be who you truly are. -Roy T. Bennett

  • Song: Hot Wings (I wanna party) – Jamie Fox
  • Color: Blue

Advice I would give to younger players: 

Always try and get just 1% better each day. You may be having an off day or you’re tired, or you don’t like the drill you’re doing. But try to take the most from what you can and dedicate yourself to getting just a little bit better each day.

Aissata Bangoura

Aissata Bangoura | Sports Recruits

About Me

I’m inspired by Viola Davis as well as historical figures like Fredrick Douglass. Viola is an inspiration due to her way of words and insights on adversity, self-worth, and honing your gifts. Fredrick Douglass because he has made so much impact through his empowering speeches on the edge of the reconstruction period.  I have 6 siblings.  In five years, I see myself working and establishing networks in non-profits and education sectors while finishing and wrapping up my volleyball career.   Some of my most memorable volleyball moments include leading team talks with my underclassmen before games and developing close relationships with them in hopes of showing them the joys of volleyball. I also remember our first senior game against auburn high school after all the anticipation; it was fun making big moments plays with the teammates.  I would like to thank my siblings for grounding me and reaffirming my value throughout all the adversity that came with it.  I also want to thank every and any coach that was willing to bet on me and believe in my capabilities, before I did.

  • High School: Todd Beamer
  • Hometown: Federal Way, WA
  • College Commitment: Undecided
  • Degree Pursuing: Sociology
  • Years at PSVBA: 1

Volleyball Accomplishments:

  • 3A All-District Team (Sr)
  • Varsity Team Captain (Sr)

Non-Volleyball Accomplishments:

  • Extracurricular Involvement Revolving around Civics, Activism, Youth Advocacy
  • Junior Speaker at City Council Meetings
  • Organizing Forums on Issues within District Policy
  • 3.8 GPA w/ rigorous course load

MY FAVORITES

“Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.” ― Theodore Roosevelt

  • Song: Off the grid – Kanye West
  • Color: Green

Advice I would give to younger players is 

as cliche as it sounds, it’s important to believe in yourself and find a circle of people who you can trust to reaching your highest potential.  Also work to be a good teammate and don’t get so caught up on yourself and neglect the team.

 

Patrick Taitano

Pat Taitano is the owner and club director of Puget Sound Volleyball Academy and has maintained PSVBA’s status as one of the top club volleyball programs in the State of Washington for over 12 years!  He has coached a team at PSVBA for the past 7 seasons and has already “personally” coached over 70 college athletes, which include a handful of All-Americans and dozens of NCAA Division I players!

Pat has an impressive club volleyball resume that showcases the coaching, teaching, mentoring, training, and developing of players and teams that experience a high-level of success! His club team highlights include many Championships and Top 5 finishes at national qualifiers and other high-profile tournaments; including Pacific Northwest Qualifier Champions (18U), Southern California Qualifier Champions (18U), 3X Finalist at the Matt Hartner Memorial and Back-to-Back Champions at 16 Open & 18 Open, 2X Emerald City Classic Champions at 16 Open & 18 Open! He has also coached 4 different teams to the elite Platinum League, and several of his teams held the Overall #1 Ranking in the PSR Power League. His teams have won the PSR Championships 4X. He has taken his teams to the Junior National Championships in 6 of the 7 years he has coached with the exception of the COVID stricken 2020 season. His teams have earned a total of 6 qualified bids including 4 National Bids and 2 USA Bids!

Pat also has an impressive high school coaching resume that proves his ability to turn around struggling programs and build a winning culture in a short amount of time!  He helped lead Stadium HS to their first ever WIAA State appearance!  He became Todd Beamer’s all-time winningest volleyball coach in his 1st year coaching at the school, after transforming their struggling program into NPSL League Champions! Most recently, he coached Mount Rainier to their first WIAA State appearance in 20 years and guided his team to one of the school’s best showings at State with a 6th place finish!  Pat is a 2X NPSL Coach of the Year who specializes in developing complete players and chooses to train and develop his athletes with solid all-around volleyball skills. Everywhere he goes he builds and develops a winning culture!

Pat holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Hawaii and is a principal owner of J3NP Engineering. He loves to travel and spend time with his family!