About Emilio

Emilio started playing volleyball in 1988. He went on to become a High School and NCAA referee and had a Junior National rating as a USA Volleyball official. E has coached at the high school and collegiate level throughout his coaching career. He has coached at some of the top high school programs in the state. E has also coached at a variety of clubs throughout his impressive coaching career including Westside Juniors, IPVA, Iowa Rockets and Central Iowa Select. In 2000 he helped start the club IPVA in the Des Moines area. His 17u team went to Nationals that year, with fellow Iowa PowerPlex coach Shannon Stewart being a player on that team.

E started his own club through MVP sports called Central Iowa Select (CIS) and it came to be one of the top clubs in the Des Moines area. E not only ran the club, but all volleyball programs and lessons. In 2001 E was one of 33 coaches invited to the Olympic Training Center as USAV introduced the HP Pipeline. This program was created to better identify younger athletes for future National teams. E then brought the program to the Iowa regions that summer and has been involved with the program since. 

In 2002 he received the Iowa Regional Male Coach of the year, and received the Iowa Region Outstanding Club Director award in 2007. In 2012, his CIS 16u team won the USA Volleyball National’s American Division Championship. In 2021 E and Bailey Zoss’ 16u team earned a bid to USAV Nationals. They competed in the National division, placing 22nd. In 2022 E and Kari Lombardi’s team earned a bid to USA Nationals. They competed in the USA Division and placed 17th. In 2023, E and Ed Pelds’ team earned a bid to USAV Nationals. They competed in the American division and placed 26th. In 2024, E and Shannon Wieland’s 16u team placed 3rd at ShowMe, earning them a bid to USAV Nationals. They competed in the USA Division and placed 13th. In 2025, E and Heather Schmidt’s 17u team placed 4th at Iowa Regionals, earning them an American bid for USAV Nationals.

Coaching Background

• Coach, Westside Juniors

• Coach, Iowa Rockets

• Founder and Coach, IPVA

• Assistant Coach, Central College, 2006

• Assistant Coach, Grand View University, 2007

• JV Coach, Waukee High School, 2008

• Freshmen Coach, Dowling High School, 2009

• Assistant Coach, Simpson College, 2010-2011

• Director and Coach, Central Iowa Select (CIS)

• Iowa PowerPlex Coach, 2020 - present, National Qualifier, 2021 16-1 Black, 2022 17-1 Black, 2023 - 15-1 Black, 2024 - 16 Mendoza