about leigha

Leigha competed in two sports in high school throughout her time there. She was a 4 year letter winner in soccer, and 2 years in volleyball. She was also a 2 year starter on the volleyball team, and an integral part of the 2008 3A State Championship team. Her team was the first team in school history to win a state championship in volleyball. Her club years were spent playing for Rapid Spikers. 

She continued her academic career at Kirkwood Community College, before moving on to Upper Iowa University to complete her academic career. It was during her college career that she started coaching. Leigha has an incredibly diverse coaching background, coaching alongside and under some of the states best coaches for both high school and club programs. Some of her highlights include 4 Top 5 finishes are Iowa Regionals in 4 consecutive years for club through CIS. Leigha joined IowaPowerPlex in 2024.

educational and athletic background

  • High School - Marion High School, 2-sport Varsity letter winner - volleyball and soccer. 2008 State Champion in high school volleyball.

  • College - Kirkwood Community College, Associates Degree: Criminal Justice; Upper Iowa University, Bachelors of Science Degree: Human Services '

coaching background

  • JV/Varsity Assistant Coach, Cedar Rapids Washington HS, 2010-2014

  • JV/Varsity Assistant Coach, Ballard High School, 2015-2016

  • Head Freshman Coach, Norwalk High School, 2016-2017

  • Central Iowa Select Coach, 2015-2019: 13’s & 14’s Head Coach under Emilio Mendoza. Iowa Regionals placed - 2016 5th, 2017 3rd place, 2018 3rd, 2019 5th 

  • Iowa High Performance Coach, 2019: Girls Select Assistant Coach under April Elsbernd. 3rd place finish in Ft. Lauderdale

  • Club Ignit Select Director and Coach, 2019-2023: 14’s Head Coach under Tina Carter. Co-Director & 14’s Head Coach with Elizabeth Boll (Plum) and Michael Maiers. 2020 1st place finish at Omaha Presidents’ Day Classic in Open Division, 2020 7th place finish at Colorado Crossroads in USA Division, 2021 1st place finish at Iowa Regionals, 2021 10th place finish at USAV GJNC in National Division, 2022 2nd place finish at Iowa Regionals, 2023 2nd place finish at Iowa Regionals. Responsible for managing/mentoring 14U-16U teams and coaches as a co-director

  •  Head Freshman Coach 2017-2020, Varsity Assistant Coach 2017 - Present Dowling Catholic High School, 8 consecutive years (13-school) state qualifier, 2020 semi-finalist, 2023 state runner-up

  • Iowa PowerPlex Club Coach - 2024 - present

leigha mcquade