TRAIN WITH
WORLD CLASS COACHES
Our coaching team ranks among the finest nationwide, consisting of elite Brazilian athletes with extensive volleyball knowledge. With years of expertise and a deep passion for the game and teaching, they possess the skills necessary to significantly elevate every player's performance.
Meet Coach Neemias, also known as “Costa” – a former Brazilian National Team libero turned successful professional player. With experience playing in Brazil, Mexico, and Europe.
Coach Costas' expertise isn’t limited to the court. With four years of teaching Physical Education at Temecula Valley Charter School and coaching experience across all levels and age groups, Costa has led teams at Great Oak High School, Mesa High School, and Temecula Valley High School to D1 State Championship victories.
As Director of Viper, Costa oversaw its remarkable growth and established his own beach club, the largest in the valley. In 2024, he pioneered the first Beach High School team in the area and co-founded BRUSA VOLLEYBALL alongside William “El Mago” Arjona and Guilherme Fiapo.
NEEMIAS COSTA
CLUB DIRECTOR
PREMIER TEAM COACH
“El Mago” (Spanish for “the magician”) earned his nickname during his time in Argentina for his strategic and magical approach to volleyball.
William is known as one of the greatest setters in the history of indoor volleyball. He worked for 27 years as a professional, winning numerous individual and collective awards, among them he was considered the best setter in the world 3 times and 1 time MVP. He was considered the best setter in the super league in Brazil 11 consecutive times.
Among his greatest achievements is the gold medal at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. As a coach, he shares his unique volleyball philosophy with college teams across the US.
Together with Coach Fiapo and coach Costa, he co-founded BRUSA VOLLEYBALL.
WILLIAM ARJONA
OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST
PREMIER TEAM COACH
Guilherme Fiapo is a volleyball champion with extensive experience working with both the Brazilian Women’s and Men’s National Volleyball Teams, as well as women’s professional volleyball clubs in Brazil, alongside renowned coach Bernardinho.
His expertise lies in optimizing athlete performance and addressing injuries, playing a pivotal role in maintaining top mental and physical condition. In the USA, Fiapo contributed to April Ross and Alix Klineman’s Olympic gold medal success and led a Junior 17s girls volleyball team to a Nationals victory in 2023.
Coach Fiapo also led Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson, of Canada, to the Olympic Silver Medals in Paris in July, 2024
Together with William “El Mago” Arjona and Coach Costa, he co-founded BRUSA VOLLEYBALL.
3-time World Champion
7-time Olympic Medalist: 3 GOLD / 3 SILVER / 1 BRONZE
12-time National Brazilian Superliga Champion Among other titles.
GUILHERME FIAO
7-TIME OLYMPIC MEDALIST
PREMIER TEAM COACH
MAURO MARASCIULO
PREMIER TEAM COACH
Coach Mauro brings an impressive legacy to the court, boasting 40 years of coaching experience and 19 years of elite professional playing in the Italian league. Recognized as the Best Coach of the Year in that league, his accolades extend internationally, having served as the head coach for both the Colombia and Peru national teams.
His expertise has also guided top-tier athletes, such as World Beach Volleyball Champions Monia Paludo and Adriana Bento. Coach Mauro's diverse experiences and profound understanding of the game make him an invaluable asset to any volleyball program. His commitment to excellence continues to inspire players at all levels.
ANA MARASCIULO
PREMIER TEAM COACH
Coach Ana boasts a remarkable volleyball background, having played for the Brazilian national team and in Italy’s professional league. She has also coached the Italian national team’s libero, highlighting her specialization. With a strong focus on youth development, she has coached young athletes in Italy and now dedicates her efforts in the U.S. to teaching fundamentals, teamwork, and a passion for the game. Her commitment to nurturing future volleyball players makes her a valuable asset to Brusa Volleyball Club.
BRUSA is proud to announce the appointment of Coach Pompilio Mercadante as the new Beach and Boys Program Director. A former USA Beach Volleyball coach with 20 years of experience, Coach Pompilio has led his teams to the AVP Championship and Olympic Quarterfinals, showcasing his exceptional skill and dedication to the sport.
With his extensive experience and proven track record, he is poised to elevate BRUSA Beach Volleyball to new heights, inspiring athletes and fostering talent within our community. Coach Pompilio's commitment to player development and passion for the game will be invaluable as we continue to grow our beach volleyball program. We look forward to the positive impact he will have on our athletes and the overall success of BRUSA.
POMPILIO MERCADANTE
DIRECTOR OF BEACH AND BOYS PROGRAM
Jim Downey is a well-respected figure in Southern California volleyball, with over thirty years of coaching experience. For 28 years, he has been key to the success of the Orange County Volleyball Club, leading teams that consistently rank among the best in the SCVA region. His teams won 8 national titles at the Volleyball Festival in Davis, California, once the leading championship for junior volleyball.
Additionally, as the former head coach at Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, Jim led the high school program to four straight State Finals, achieving 2 State Titles and 4 CIF Titles. He has received various awards, including Los Angeles Times Coach of the Year, Orange County Register Coach of the Year, and CIF Coach of the Year. Jim's influence and commitment to developing young athletes have left a lasting legacy in the volleyball community.
JIM DOWNEY
PREMIER TEAM COACH
Randy played tennis before discovering volleyball, quickly joining the Athletes In Action Men's Volleyball team as an outside hitter and setter. He earned a BA in Psychology from Vanguard University and an MS in Kinesiology from CSUF, all while playing indoors and at the beach. Randy coached at Vanguard, Chapman University, and Orange Coast College, completing the USA Volleyball Coaches Training program. He has coached international all-star teams in China, Japan, Australia, Russia, Finland, and Sweden, and has worked with various age group clubs. Recently, he co-coached with his wife at Rancho Christian and Temecula Valley High School, winning a 10-0 League Title in 2016. Randy’s teams have achieved Gold, Bronze, and Silver at numerous tournaments. He brings a wealth of volleyball knowledge and looks forward to coaching at Brusa. Off the court, Randy retired from the Riverside County Probation Department and enjoys fishing, hiking, biking, and camping.
RANDY BUSH
PREMIER TEAM COACH
Leanna started at Grossmont Community College, leading the Griffins to a state championship and earning All-State and All-American honors, which led to a scholarship at U.C. Santa Barbara. She earned a BA in Communications and played professionally in Italy's A1 league and for the Orange County Diggers. Leanna also played on international all-star teams in Australia, Russia, Finland, Sweden, and the Bahamas, competing in U.S.A Open Nationals and senior tournaments until recently. Coach Leanna has coached varsity volleyball at Temecula Valley High School and Rancho Christian High School alongside her husband Randy Bush, as well as club teams for Santa Barbara and Orange County Volleyball Clubs.
Coach Leanna enjoys teaching young girls fundamentals, enhancing volleyball IQ, and training seasoned athletes for high-level competition. The best part of coaching is building relationships with athletes and fostering their love for the game.
A favorite memory for Coach Leanna is taking a group of beginners to the second round of 5A CIF in their second season. She also treasures going undefeated in league with a special group of athletes at TVHS in 2016.
LEANNA BUSH
PREMIER TEAM COACH
CAMILLE HARVEY
REGIONAL TEAM COACH
Camille Harvey is a standout recent graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. She earned the Champion of Character award in 2023 and was named an All-Conference Honorable Mention in 2022. Camille holds several records, including most career appearances (117 matches, 413 sets), most service aces (119), and the most digs in a match (31) and overall (1,382). As captain for two years, she led her team to an impressive 20-0 conference record in 2023, a major achievement for the program. Her leadership helped the team reach the NAIA national tournament that year. Additionally, Camille looks forward to using her business management skills and teamwork in her future career.
DESIREE SUKHOV
PREMIER ASSISTANT AND LOCAL TEAM COACH
Coach Desiree, a Valley native, played at Murrieta Valley High School Volleyball Team and earned a place on the Fresno State University team. After a successful college career, she played professionally in Peru for a year, enhancing her skills and appreciation for the sport's diversity. Now, Coach Desiree is dedicated to nurturing young talent in the local community, reflecting her commitment to inspire the next generation at Brusa Volleyball Club.
KALEI TAITANO
ASSISTANT TEAM COACH
Coach Kalei brings a wealth of experience to Brusa Volleyball Club, having played at Vista Murrieta High School and continued her volleyball journey at West Cliff University. With six years of coaching under her belt, he has successfully led athletes at Vista Murrieta High School, emphasizing skill development, teamwork, and a passion for the game. His background as a player, combined with her coaching expertise, makes him a valuable asset to our club and an inspiring mentor for young athletes aiming to improve their game.