Emma Ehlers - 15 Elite Head Coach

I started my volleyball career in 5th grade and spent lots of years at NPJ Salem throughout my club career. I graduated from Lewis & Clark College where I was a Middle Blocker and team captain. At Lewis & Clark I graduated with a degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with a minor in Health Studies.

I have been able to coach since I was 16 when I was coaching 12s and 14s sand while at NPJ. I spent 2 summers coaching those age groups and another summer coaching all age groups. Throughout college I have had many opportunities to coach our summer youth camps at Lewis & Clark. During my freshman year of college, before Covid hit, I was able to be an assistant coach for a 14’s team at OJVA. I just finished my first season coaching at NPJ Portland with the 16 Black team and I couldn’t be more excited for this year!

KARA THOMAS - 15 ELITE ASSISTANT COACH

I began playing volleyball in middle school and spent 3 years playing at NPJ Salem throughout High School. I am currently in my final year at Linfield University, and I will finish my Bachelor of Science in Public Health in May of 2023. I am a right side and a team captain on the Linfield Volleyball team. This will be my first year coaching a club volleyball team, but throughout my time at Linfield, I have had the opportunity to coach many camps. I am also currently studying to become a Certified Personal Trainer and hope to help athletes reach their full potential. I am stoked to be assistant coaching this year and can’t wait to be back at NPJ!