About Crissy

Crissy (Stewart) Nelson had an impressive high school career, lettering 10 times in three different sports. She was a multi time state qualifier in soccer, and an active leader on her soccer, volleyball and basketball teams. Crissy continued her playing career at Kirkwood, where she had an incredibly successful career. Her sophomore year, her team placed 2nd at Nationals and Nelson received 1st team All-American honors. She also led the nation in assists. She continued her impressive career at Grand Valley State in Michigan for a year, leading her team to a Final Four finish. 

Prior to starting PowerPlex, Crissy was an assistant at Drake University under Randy Dolman. She helped with recruiting one of the top classes for Drake at the time. She then moved to Urbandale High School where she assisted coach Liz Baethke. In 2008, Shannon Henkelman and Nelson started the club through SportsPlex West. Since 2008 Crissy has been the co-director, has assisted in coaching teams, running programs, holding lessons and continuing to build the club. In 2018 Crissy and Tina created Xtreme Beach Volleyball through SportsPlex offering both recreational and competitive beach leagues to athletes of all skill levels.

In 2023, Crissy and Amy Hobert coached the 13-1 Elite Black team to a National Championship at USAV Nationals in the Patriot Division. In 2024, Crissy and Meg Jackson coached their 14u team to an Iowa Regional championship earning them a bid to USAV Nationals. They competed in the National division, placing 22nd.  In the 2025 season, Crissy and Meg Jackson’s 15u team has earned 3 USAV National Qualifying Bids. Their first was in the USA Division at Sunshine in Florida, placing 2nd. They then won the MN Northern Lights Qualifier in the American Division. They also placed 2nd at Iowa Regionals, earning another American Division bid.

Educational and Athletic Background

• Urbandale High School 1999 - three sport letterwinner, 10 Varsity letters

• Kirkwood Community College 2001: 1st team All-American, 1st Team All-Conference, 1st team All-District, 1st team Nationals All-Tournament, led the nation in Assists per game, 7th in the nation in kill percentage, 4th in the nation in serving percentage, 1st team All-Region, 2nd Team All-Region, NJCAA National Tournament Runner-up 

• Grand Valley State University, NCAA Division 2 Final Four Participant

• University of Iowa 2003: Bachelors in Communication, minor in Art with emphasis in Graphic Design

Coaching Background

• Assistant Coach, Drake University

• Assistant Varsity Coach, Urbandale High School

• Assistant Varsity Coach, Waukee NW High School , 2021-2022, 2022 State Qualifier

• Director,, Iowa PowerPlex 2008 - present

• Coach, Iowa PowerPlex - 2008 - present, National Qualifiers, 2023 - 13-1 Elite Black, 2024 - 14 Jackson, 2025 - 15 Jackson, 2023 13 Patriot Girls Jr National Champions,