Our Team
At NorStar Volleyball Club, we're dedicated to providing players with the best possible experience. As a new club, we're growing our team of talented and dedicated coaches. Here, you'll meet the team of the passionate individuals guiding our players towards success. Stay tuned, because as the NorStar family continues to expand, you can expect to see even more amazing coaches joining our team soon!
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.
Bobby Walton
Coach
With over 10 years of experience coaching club volleyball, middle school, and high school teams, Coach Bobby is a dedicated and passionate volleyball coach hailing from the Bay Area. A native of the South Bay Area, Coach Bobby has been an influential figure in the local volleyball community for over a decade.
Coach Bobby brings 12 years of experience as a Physical Education teacher in the South Bay Area, where he has inspired and nurtured young athletes both on and off the court. Coach Bobby has 10 years of experience coaching high school volleyball at Castelleja, Carlmont, and Kehillah as a JV Head Coach and Varsity Assistant Coach. This extensive background allows him to combine his love for sports with a strong educational foundation to take a holistic approach to coaching volleyball.
Coach Bobby believes in fostering a positive and supportive environment where players can develop their skills, build confidence, and learn the value of teamwork. With a focus on both technical training and personal growth, Coach Bobby is committed to helping athletes reach their full potential and achieve success both on the volleyball court and in life.
Whether you're a seasoned player seeking to refine your skills or a newcomer just starting your volleyball journey, Coach Bobby is here to support you every step of the way. His dedication to player development and his infectious enthusiasm make him an integral part of the NorStar Volleyball Club family!
Jessica LEE
Coach
Coach Jessica is a dynamic and passionate leader in the world of youth volleyball. With 5 years of dedicated coaching experience, she has honed her skills working with athletes aged 8-18. Her impressive track record includes leading two teams to Junior Nationals, a testament to her ability to develop and inspire young talent.
A former gymnast and volleyball player with over 15 years of experience, Coach Jessica brings a unique perspective to the court. Her holistic coaching approach emphasizes both technical skill development and personal growth. She is committed to fostering a strong sense of self in her players while empowering them to excel in the sport. Her coaching philosophy focuses not only on athletic skills but also on personal growth and character building.
Beyond her coaching expertise, Coach Jessica is a dedicated advocate for children. As a child advocate mentor since 2008, she has made a positive impact on countless young lives. Her experience supporting neurodiverse learners since 2017 further demonstrates her commitment to creating inclusive and supportive environments. When she’s not coaching or mentoring, Jessica loves traveling to see different places and enjoys learning about different cultures and their food.
Jessica's dedication to helping others and her passion for volleyball make her a valuable and inspiring member of the NorStar Volleyball community.
Jo Chung
Recruitment Coordinator
Jo brings a wealth of experience and passion for volleyball to NorStar Volleyball. A former player at both the high school and collegiate levels, Jo transitioned to coaching and has made a significant impact in her 5-year tenure at Jordan Middle School and Palo Alto High School. Her dedication to the sport is further exemplified by her two daughters, who are both collegiate student-athletes.
For the past four years, Jo has specialized in college consulting, guiding students through the intricacies of volleyball, water polo, and swimming recruitment, as well as general college admissions. Her expertise has helped students secure offers and acceptances from prestigious institutions such as Tufts, University of Chicago, Emory, UC Irvine, UC Davis, University of the Pacific, Pomona College, Swarthmore, Wesleyan, Caltech, University of Pennsylvania, Wellesley, and Williams.
Beyond her athletic and academic achievements, Jo's diverse background as a Hotel Consultant since 2007 brings a strong business acumen and a results-oriented mindset to her role at NorStar Volleyball. Her ability to build relationships, analyze complex situations, and deliver exceptional outcomes makes her an invaluable asset to student-athletes seeking to navigate the college recruitment process.
Esi Thompson
Head Performance and Rehab Coach
As a licensed physical therapist with a background in kinesiology and physical therapy, Esi is passionate about optimizing athletic performance and aiding in injury prevention and recovery. Esi’s journey began with a deep involvement in sports, particularly volleyball, which sparked her interest in the mechanics of movement and human performance.
With extensive experience in both academic study and practical application, she is interested in helping athletes not only enhance their overall performance and game strategies but also recover from injury. Esi’s approach combines clinical expertise with an understanding of sports dynamics, allowing her to tailor rehabilitation programs that address individual needs and goals.
Beyond Esi’s professional endeavors, she continues to stay active. Whether on the court, in the gym, or in the clinic, her goal remains consistent: to empower athletes through comprehensive care and strategic rehabilitation.
We are thrilled to have Esi as part of the NorStar family. Her expertise will provide our athletes with advanced performance enhancement strategies, injury prevention techniques and personalized rehabilitation programs. As a former volleyball player herself, Esi understands the unique demands of the sport and uses this insight to tailor her approach to each athlete’s needs. Her hands-on approach and dedication to athlete well-being will undoubtedly elevate the overall performance and health of our NorStar athletes, ensuring they achieve their full potential both on and off the court.