OUR
TEAM
Simo Taoufik
Founder/Director/Coach
More than just a coach, Simo is considered a stalwart of the volleyball community, boasting over three decades of dedication to the sport. Players and parents alike regard him not only as a coach but also as a mentor, confidant, and inspiration. His influence transcends the boundaries of the court, shaping not just athletes, but individuals of character and integrity. His passion for the game started on the court, where he gained invaluable experience as a Pro Volleyball Player. This player perspective combined with his extensive coaching experience allows him to see the game from both sides of the net. This unique understanding translates into a well-rounded coaching approach that emphasizes not only technical skills, but also strategic thinking and a growth mindset. With Simo at the helm, NorStar Volleyball Club benefits from his deep understanding of the game and his unwavering dedication to player development.
As a Player:
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Former professional volleyball player from Morocco, leading his team, Fatah Union Sport, to multiple Moroccan Championships and Cups.
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Top setter in Morocco, representing his nation in the 2008 Olympic qualifications and various international competitions.
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A seasoned beach volleyball competitor at both national and international levels.
As a Coach:
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Transformed the Stanford University Men's Club Team into national contenders, achieving historic 2nd and 3rd place finishes in the country.
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Proven track record of leading all his teams to compete in Junior Nationals year after year.
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Helped over 180 players to reach their college goals, playing at top D1, D2, and D3 institutions.
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Passionate about developing players of all levels, empowering them to reach their full potential.
Ready to learn from a champion and embark on your own winning journey? Join NorStar Volleyball Club and train under the leadership of Coach Simo!
Nova Bramed
Technical Director/Coach
With over 40 years of combined experience in volleyball as both a player and a coach, Nova's career is a testament to his dedication and passion for the sport. His journey has taken him across multiple countries and cultures, significantly enriching his coaching methodology and providing him with a unique perspective on the game.
Personal Coaching Philosophy
Nova’s coaching philosophy is rooted in dedication, passion, compassion, and individualized care. He believes in treating players as individuals rather than mere athletes, a principle that he has cultivated through a diverse array of coaching techniques and philosophies learned from various international mentors. His approach blends empathy, strong leadership, and an
unwavering work ethic. Nova's goal is to inspire his players to reach their fullest potential while enjoying the journey.
His dedication to both the sport and his players' personal development underscores his commitment to volleyball and highlights his impact as a coach. Nova prioritizes the joy of the game and growth alongside competitive success. This balanced approach fosters a positive team environment and cultivates well-rounded athletes who excel both on and off the court. Nova's journey through volleyball as both a player and a coach highlights his profound impact on the sport. His coaching philosophy and personal achievements demonstrate his commitment to fostering growth, enjoyment, and success in his players, making him a respected and influential figure in the volleyball community.
Career as a Player
As a former professional volleyball player from Morocco, Nova's playing career was marked by numerous achievements. He played on the Moroccan National team and competed in various international competitions. A standout moment in his career was being named the tournament's best defender at the 1993 African Club Championship in Cairo, Egypt.
Career as a Coach
Nova has a rich history of developing volleyball talent across different levels and genders. His roles have included being a club director, club coach, and high school coach. He has been instrumental in guiding many players to achieve their dreams of playing collegiate volleyball.
Achievements at Bishop O’Dowd High School
As the varsity head coach for both the girls’ and boys’ teams at Bishop O’Dowd High School, Nova has led both programs to significant success over the past seven years.
Girls Team Achievements:
● 5x WACC League Champions: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022
● 3x North Coast Section Champions: 2017, 2018, 2019
● CIF NorCal Division I Champions: 2018
● CIF State Division I Runner-Up: 2018
● CIF NorCal Open Division Runner-Up: 2019
Boys Team Achievements:
● 3x WACC League Champions: 2022, 2023, 2024
● 3x North Coast Section Champions: 2022, 2023, 2024
● 2x CIF NorCal Championship Runner-Up: 2022, 2023
Personal Interests
Outside of volleyball, Nova enjoys spending time with family, playing tennis, hiking, and cooking.
These activities reflect his love for a balanced lifestyle and diverse interests.
Katrina Paz
Head Coach
Katrina brings eight years of playing experience and five years of coaching experience to the court. As a head coach, she has successfully led every team she has coached to Junior Nationals, demonstrating her commitment to developing competitive, successful athletes.
In 2023, Katrina also earned a JNC silver medal as an assistant coach, further highlighting her ability to contribute to high-performing teams.
Known for her energetic, disciplined coaching style and genuine passion for the game, Katrina believes volleyball is about more than just winning. She is dedicated to helping young athletes build confidence, develop a strong work ethic, and strengthen their mentality—qualities that extend far beyond the court.
Her goal is to create an environment where athletes can discover a love for the game while building the technical foundation needed to help reach their full potential throughout their volleyball careers.
Gabriella Bramed
Assistant Coach
Coach Gabby grew up in a volleyball family, and the sport has been a part of her life for as long as she can remember. Because of this, she has developed a fervor for volleyball that she strives to share with those around her—especially the athletes she has the privilege of coaching.
Gabby's coaching journey began with mentoring younger players throughout her high school years. Which inspired her to officially pursue coaching in the fall of 2023. Sincethen, she has served as an assistant coach for both the Girls and Boys Varsity
volleyball teams at Bishop O'Dowd High School.
With a bachelor's degree in Psychology, Gabby is a strong advocate for mental health in sports. She believes that an athlete's growth extends beyond physical skills and that success is built upon communication, trust, and the mutual understanding between players and coaches. Her goal is to create an environment where athletes feel supported yet challenged, while being empowered to become the best versions of themselves.
Gabby believes that everyone is capable of achieving their goals, reaching their fullpotential, and experiencing meaningful growth when they are willing to work hard, believe in themselves, and ask for help when needed. She hopes to instill these values in every athlete she coaches, both on and off the court.
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Angelina Heminway
Assistant Coach
Angelina is excited to return to the Bay Area volleyball community and join the NorStar family. A Bay Area native and recent graduate of Swarthmore College, Angelina brings over nine years of local club volleyball experience, along with experience competing at the high school and collegiate levels and internationally.
Angelina began playing club volleyball in the Bay Area and competed at the highest levels of the club scene. During her 18s season, she helped her team qualify for the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championships four times in the Open division. She went on to compete as an NCAA Division III volleyball athlete at Swarthmore College for four seasons as a middle blocker. A four-year starter, Angelina helped lead her team to the Centennial Conference Championship Tournament in each of her four seasons. In 2022, she helped Swarthmore advance to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the first time since 2017.
Her volleyball experience has also taken her internationally. While studying abroad in Stockholm, Sweden, Angelina competed with the KTH Royal Institute of Technology volleyball team, gaining experience playing alongside athletes from around the world.
Angelina has been coaching volleyball since high school and continued coaching throughout college. She is passionate about player development and creating a positive environment where young athletes can build confidence, challenge themselves, and develop a genuine love for the game. Angelina is a firm believer that hard work, commitment, and perseverance pay off, and she hopes to help athletes pursue their goals while developing as both athletes and as people.
Outside the court, Angelina enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching college volleyball, and trying new workout classes.