Our Directors
Director
Alex Griffiths
Coach Alex Griffiths is a former elite libero and current collegiate and high school coach with over two decade of competitive and coaching experience. As a player, she earned a silver medal in 18 Open at Junior Nationals, won a Division 1 CIF State Championship with Los Alamitos High School, and received Defensive Player of the Year and Sunset League Honorable Mention honors. She earned a full-ride scholarship to Vanguard University, where she led the team in digs and aces her freshman and sophomore seasons, before transferring to the NCAA Division I University of Hawai‘i. At Hawai‘i, she helped the Rainbow Wahine reach the NCAA Final Four (3rd place), Sweet 16, and Top 12 finishes, while winning three straight WAC Conference Championships. She also competed in the NCAA’s first-ever Collegiate Sand Volleyball Conference and played professionally during the 2014–2015 season. Internationally, Coach Alex represented the U.S. on volleyball tours in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Italy, competing against professional and national teams. She graduated from Hawai‘i with a double major in Psychology and Sociology. As a coach, she has led high-level teams for several SoCal and Hawai‘i clubs, served as head coach for Santiago Canyon College (2018–2019), and is currently the head coach of both the boys’ and girls’ programs at Cypress High School, where she led the boys to a 2017 CIF Division III Championship and Division II State Semifinal appearance. She was named 2017 CIF Coach of the Year and OC Register Boys Coach of the Year. Coach Alex now serves on staff with Westcliff University Men’s Volleyball, where she helped the program earn one conference championship title, one regular-season title, and achieve NAIA national recognition with an Elite 8 finish and Top 15 overall ranking. She also serves on the NAIA Men’s Volleyball National Coaches Committee, helping shape the future of the sport at the collegiate level.
Director
Gus Tuaniga
Coach Gus made an immediate impact as a standout high school and club player, earning national recognition by leading his teams to top finishes at Junior Nationals—winning Gold in the 15 Open and Silver in the 17 Open divisions—and being named to the All-Tournament Team twice. He earned a full-ride scholarship to the University of Hawai‘i, where he contributed early to their NCAA Division I success. After college, he returned to California and played professional beach volleyball, representing American Samoa in international competitions, including the Pacific Islands Games and the Papua New Guinea Tournament, earning third and fifth-place finishes. As a coach, he has led top teams at both club and high school levels, including guiding Cypress High School to multiple Empire League Championships, the 2017 CIF Division III Championship, and a Division II State Semifinal appearance. He also coached at the NCAA Division I level with Long Beach State’s beach volleyball team (2018–2019). As head coach of APEX¹ Volleyball’s 18Black team, he led them to a Top 3 SCVA finish, a triple bid in the 18 Open for Junior Nationals, and a 5th place finish in the National Division in 2019. Currently, Coach Gus is on staff with Westcliff University Men’s Volleyball, helping the team win a conference championship, a regular-season title, and reach the NAIA Elite 8 with a Top 15 national ranking.
Director
Tinei Tuaniga
Director Tinei is the heart and soul of APEX¹ Volleyball—our “mama bear” who works tirelessly behind the scenes and is present at tournaments for athletes of all ages. With over two decades of experience as a coach and club director, including founding her own successful program, Aiga Volleyball, she joined APEX to help build an elite yet nurturing culture where all athletes—including her own—could thrive. A proud mother and driving force behind her children's accomplishments, she has played a key role in the success of Director Gus (University of Hawai‘i), Josh (Long Beach State, now playing professionally), Jake (LBSU, music), Mia (USC, professional volleyball athlete), and Jonah (currently playing at APEX).
Our Coaches
University of Arizona
Candace Nicholson
2x USAV Jr Nationals Medalist for 16Open & 17Open
As a sophomore in 2011, led Arizona with 406 digs and had 17 matches with double-digit digs
Broke Arizona’s all‑time career digs record in 2013 with over 1,313 career digs, surpassing Terry Lauchner’s mark
Averaged school-record 4.45 digs per set in her senior season; totaled 490 digs—another new school single-season mark
Recorded a career-high 36 digs in one match (four‑set win over Arizona State), earning Arizona’s first-ever Pac‑12 Defensive Player of the Week honor
Previous Collegiate Coaching Experience: Santiago Jr College
Going into her 13th season of coaching club
Hope International
Carissa Mendibles
Apex1 Volleyball Alumni
Earned scholarship to play for Hope International
Started and played for Cerritos College for 2 seasons for sand and indoor
Earned Conference honors for indoor and sand.
Heading into her 4th season coaching at Apex
Apex Jrs Adminstrator
UCSD
Christopher Cons
Served as team captain and earned First‑Team All‑Region and All‑Conference honors, contributing to conference championships in both 2015 and 2016.
CIF Title & CIF Player of the Year Honors in 2017
Played overseas professionally for 4 seasons.
Finishing his degree at UCSD as well as assisting the men’s volleyball program there.
Entering his 9th season coaching at Apex
Westcliff University
Erica Cantley
Played beach volleyball for Westcliff University
Previously played for Golden West College where she was team captain
Received First Team All-League for beach volleyball and Second Team for indoor volleyball
Helped Golden West achieve three conference titles – two for beach and one for indoor
Attended Cypress High where she was team captain and earned Empire League MVP and First Team All-League honors
Guided Cypress High to three league titles during her varsity years
Prior to college, played for several elite club teams, competed in Junior Olympics, remained in the Gold Division, and finished among the top teams in SCVA her senior year
8th season coaching at Apex
Missouri Valley College
Fau Alaelua
Previously coached at her alma mater St. Anthony High School
Helped guide St. Anthony to an outright El Camino League title in 2013
Earned a scholarship to play at Missouri Valley College
Part of a historic women’s volleyball team that finished as runners-up in the Heart of America Conference and earned a bid to the NAIA Women’s Volleyball Championships for the first time in school history
Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and a minor in Sociology
6th season coaching at Apex
Westcliff University
Gabriel Pizza
A part of Brazil Jr National Program
Played Beach Volleyball Brazil National Championship
2x Beach College National Champion
Received Conference Freshman of the Year
Received Conference Attacker of the Year
National Recognition as an All-American
Currently coaches at Cypress High School
4th season coaching for Apex
Goldenwest Community College
Jay Pearson
Started playing club volleyball at age 10, continuing through the 18s division
Huntington Beach High School varsity athlete — CIF champion and top-10 state finish all 3 years
Played collegiate volleyball at Golden West College
Top 3 state finish as a freshman
State champion and team captain in sophomore yearVarsity coaching experience at Pacifica Christian High School and Orangewood Academy
Entering 3rd year coaching club volleyball
USAV National Team; Professional Setter for Poland
Josh Tuaniga
USAV Men's National Team Setter
Currently plays professionally overseas in Poland
Coaches when he returns and via Zoom throughout the year
International standout player who received 2018 AVCA Player of the Year
Earned a spot on the USA Men’s Junior National Team
Holds an iconic record with two NCAA Division 1 Championships and two NCAA Division 1 Semifinal runs
Maintained an undefeated high school record at Huntington Beach High earning CIF & State honors
Hawaii Pacific University
Karina Gatewood
Apex1 Volleybal Alumni
Earned scholarship to play for Hawaii Pacific University
Played in all 56 sets across 21 matches
Heading into her 4th season coaching at Apex
Apex Jrs Administrator
Hope International
Katrina Rosales
Currently pursuing a career as a Special Education Teacher and is an aspiring baker
Previously coached the La Mirada Girls’ Volleyball program
Standout high school player who earned a scholarship to play for Hope International University
Served as starting Middle Blocker and contributed to her team’s success and NAIA Championship run
6th year assisting at Apex
Fullerton College
Katrina Tagaloasa
Has over a decade of coaching experience from top SoCal high schools to elite clubs including Aiga Volleyball Club
Standout player who played collegiately at Fullerton College
Married to David, Apex’s honorary sub/hype man
Together they coach a squad of their own with four children: Tinei, Trinity, Tiana, and baby David
Assisted our 18Black team in 2019-2020 that earned a triple bid to USAV JR Nationals in 18Open.
9th season coaching at Apex.
Kookie Feomaia
The Phil Jackson of volleyball
Has over 30 years of experienced coaching
Has coached previous standout athletes such as Coach Candace
2 years at Jordan High School
4 years at Millikan High Shcool
7 years at Wilson High School with Susan Pescar
Heading into her 12th season at Lakewood High as Var assistant & FS head coach
Heading into her 6th season with Apex; has coached club for over 20 years
BYU; AVP
Landen Tusi
High School standout in the bay area
Earned a spot to play for BYU Men's volleyball
Played professionally on the AVP Tour; earning main draw placement
Has over 20 years of high school, club, collegiate level coaching experience for the South Bay area
Heading specifically into his 2nd season at Apex
Coach Landen's 14Black team this past season earned natiional recognition at AAU's this past year taking 3rd place finish at Nationals.
Stanford University
Malia Tufuga
Apex Alumni
Triple qualified for USAV Jr Nationals in 18Open during her senior season with Apex
Earned NCAA Division 1 finishes in the Elite 8 (twice) along with a Sweet 16 appearance during her time at Stanford University.
During her collegiate run at Stanford- she played every position in a collegiate match.
Previously coached up a for top club in NorCal
Currently Var Asst. & Head JV Coach at St Joseph’s High School
Heading into her second season coaching at Apex
Missouri Valley College; Westcliff University
Mickael Massaki
5x National Champion for France
Was a part of France Jr National Team
Earned All Conference honors for his college, Missouri Valley
AVCA Collegiate Beach National Champion
Previously coached at St. Joseph High School
Currently is the men's volleyball assistant at Westcliff University while finish his Master's degree
Heading into his 4th season coaching at Apex
Westcliff University
Michael Schoffstall
2x AVCA Collegiate Beach National Champion
Earned Cal Pac Conference Champion
Earned Cal Pac Confernce Title maintaining a perfect conferene title record
2x Cal Pac Setter of the Week
16’s USAV National High Performance Team
Assisted Savannah High School volleyball program with his sister
Heading into his 4th season coaching at Apex
Cerritos College
Monserret Rodriquez
Apex Alumni
Played 2 seasons at Cerritos College playing indoor and sand ovlleyball
Earning All Conference honors for indoor season
Earned lengthy stint in playoffs for beach season
Has coached for local high schools: Gahr, Garden Grove, & Millikan High School
Headingi into her 3rd season coaching at Apex
Cal State Fullerton
Mya Tillman
Apex Alumni
Currently finishing up her senior year playing at NCAA D1 Cal State Fullerton
Transferred from Cal State Dominguez Hills as she made an emphasis to be a part of the starting line up
Heading into her 2nd season of coaching at Apex
Has over 5 years coaching experience helping her dad with her communicty rec program
USC; Professional Volleyball Pro Athlete
Mia Tuaniga
Apex Alumni
Named Gatorade State Player of the Year in 2020
Played on the USC Women’s Indoor Team, USA Junior National Team, and USA Women’s Collegiate National Team
Four-year varsity athlete at Mater Dei High School (they retired her jersey)
Earned Under Armour All-American, CIF Champion in 2018 and 2019, CIF State Champion in 2019, and National Champion in 2019
Heading into her 4th season coaching at Apex
Currently playing professionally in states
Cal State Bakersfield; Stanislaus State
Mariah Uini
Local Gahr High School Standout: 2x Athlete of the Year
Earned a scholarship to play for the NCAA D1 Cal State Bakersfield
Transferred & started for the NCAA D2 Stanislaus State
NCAA DII Collegiate National Championship 2024
Currently coaching indoor and beach volleyball for her alma mater Gahr High School
Heading into her 2nd season coaching at Apex
Simpson University; Westcliff University
Nikos Kalagasidis
Played for the Greek National Team from U17 to U21
Played at Simpson University
National Recognition during his career at Simpson University
Earned Setter of the Year for Cal Pac Conference
4x First Team Honors for Cal Pac Conference
Currently plays at Westcliff University while pursuing his Master's Degree
Currenlty coaches at Cypress High School
Heading into his 2nd season coaching at Apex
UC Irvine; Westcliff University
Peter Le
Graduated from UC Irvine Men’s Volleyball program
Earned his Master's degree while playing for Westcliff University
Second in NAIA Cal Pac Conference and named to Cal Pac Second Team
Coached at top local high schools & previous top clubs
Heading into his 5th season coaching at Apex
Reinhardt University; Westcliff University
Rodolfo Biegelmeyer
A part of the Brazil Jr National Team
2x Conference Champion for Reinhardt University
Conference Player of the year
Earned National recognition as an All-American (twice)
Currently plays at Westcliff university
Cal Pac Conference Player of the Year
Currently coaches at Cypress High
Heading into his 2nd season coaching at Apex
CSULB
Rory Jones
Graduated from Huntington Beach High School in 2006, where he played varsity volleyball for three seasons and earned All–Sunset League honors each year
Earned a spot on Long Beach State mens' volleyball team
Currently head coach of Irvine Valley College men’s volleyball program
Currenlty Varsity assistant for boys and girls Hunitngton Beach Varsity program
Has over 15 years of coaching experience from high school to collegiate level
Heading into his 8th season coaching at Apex
UCSB; former Professional Athlete
Ryan Thompson
USAV Jr National Silver Medalist 18Open
Earning All-CIF and all-area honors for Costa Mesa High
Finished his collegiate season ranked 15th in the MPSF for total blocks at UCSB
Played professionally in Greece and Germany (Coburger Turnerschaft 1861) in 2014–15 and 2015–16 seasons
Heading into his 10th season of coaching club
Vanguard University
Rebecca Lowden
Played and graduated from Vanguard University
Honors include 2019 NAIA Libero of the Year, 2x GSAC Libero of the Year, 4-year All-Conference for GSAC, 4-year All-Region Team
Earned Honorable Mention All-American honors for three years and Third Team All-American for one year
Recently named to Vanguard’s All-Decade Team
Currenlty an RN
Heading into her 9th season coaching at Apex
Vanguard University
Sean Nguyen
Long Beach City College (2022/23)
2022 CCCAA State Finalist
2023 CCCAA State Finalist, All tournament team
2023 Western State MVP
Vanguard University (2024/25)
2024 GSAC Runner Up
2024 NAIA National Tournament Appearance
2025 MPSF All Academic Team
University of Hawaii
Skyler Williams
Apexl Alumni
2021 All-Big West First Team
2021 Big West Academic All-Conference
2021 UH Scholar-Athlete
2019 All-Big West First Team
2019 Big West Defensive Player of the Week – 2X - (9/9/19, 11/25/19)
2019 Heineken Rainbow Wahine Invitational - Most Valuable Player
2019 Big West All-Academic
2019 UH Scholar-Athlete Award
4th season coaching at Apex
Long Beach State; Professional Athlete
Spencer Olivier
Named OC Register’s Player of the Year in 2017, CIF All-Tournament, and Pacific Coast League MVP
Played for NCAA Division 1 Champion Long Beach State Men’s Volleyball
NCAA D1 Collegiate National Champion
NCAA D1 Semifinalist
Heading into his 3rd season playing professionally
Heading into his 5th season coaching at Apex