Chairpersons

Christine Capasso

Staff Bio

Christine joins Excelsior with a strong professional background as a Contract Specialist for Albany Med Health System, Christine brings expertise in detail-oriented process and organizational management to their role. Additionally, she played volleyball in college, and is going into her fourth year of coaching with Saratoga Volleyball Club. Chrisitne’s unique combination of administrative and coaching expertise ensures smooth tournament coordination and reliable results management.

Contact

Phone: 
Email: christine@xlvball.org

Jake Coulter

Staff Bio

With a strong background in organizational leadership, Jake Coulter has been making an impact in youth development and the volleyball community from an early age. At just 20, he served as director of his hometown summer camp and was president of his college rugby team—demonstrating his passion for building strong teams and stronger leaders.

Jake now co-owns and operates a media production company, bringing creativity and communication expertise to everything he does. His love for volleyball spans nearly a decade, with the past four years spent competing in beach volleyball tournaments across the region.

On the indoor side, Jake has spent the last three seasons coaching with Syracuse Volleyball Club. Most recently, he led their 15U girls team to a regional championship title—showcasing his ability to develop players and build winning teams.

Jake joined Excelsior Empire with a mission: to elevate and unify the outdoor volleyball scene across the region. He is passionate about connecting current opportunities, expanding access, and introducing the sport to athletes of all backgrounds. Whether on sand or grass, Jake is dedicated to growing a vibrant, welcoming volleyball community.

Contact

Phone: 
Email: outdoor@xlvball.org

Reid Hartl

Staff Bio

Reid Hartl is no stranger to the Excelsior Empire community. Over the years, he has played multiple roles in the region, building a reputation for his dedication to youth athletics and a hands-on approach to player development. Previously, he served as a coach and Club Director for the Kraken Volleyball Club, which offered high-quality training and competitive opportunities for New York’s young athletes until it closed during the pandemic. He then advanced his career at Russell Sage College, where he has led the Gators men’s volleyball program for three seasons, guiding them to a New England Volleyball Conference (NEVC) Championship Tournament appearance in 2022 (debut season) and 2024 (most recent season).

In addition to his collegiate experience, Hartl coached at Vassar College and with high school programs at Guilderland and Shaker, honing a versatile coaching approach. His achievements also extend to youth club volleyball as a coach with Sporting Albany Volleyball Club, Team LVC, and now working with Capital Sliders.

Hartl’s experience as both a player and coach includes multiple team accomplishments, such as guiding teams to IREVA Regional Championships and competing and coaching in many more under the Excelsior name. His philosophy emphasizes positive reinforcement, skill development, and leadership—aligning perfectly with Excelsior Empire’s mission to create growth opportunities for athletes on and off the court.

Contact

Phone: 
Email: reid@xlvball.org

Laurie Muollo

Staff Bio

Contact

Phone: 845.978.5433 (DO NOT CALL AFTER 9:00PM)
Email: laurie@xlvball.org

Tracy Manning

Staff Bio

Tracy has been involved in the volleyball world for the last 18 years.  She first started as the Club Director for the Win City Volleyball club which then evolved into the Whirlwind Volleyball Club where she continues today as the Club Director.  She currently serves as the Juniors Director for the Excelsior Region and is a member of the Tournament Committee for the region as well.  In addition, she runs local tournaments within the region to continue providing opportunities for surrounding local clubs to compete and continue to improve their volleyball skills.

Contact

Phone: 
Email: tracy@xlvball.org

Matthew Lopez

Staff Bio

Contact

Phone: 
Email: matt@xlvball.org

Alex Duncan

Staff Bio

Alex is excited to join the region in the role of Adult Chair. He has run multiple adult events in the Albany area as a Tournament Director within the Excelsior Empire region. Alex played club volleyball at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh for 5 years, and is also currently an assistant coach for the Men’s DIII program at Russell Sage College as well as the Boy’s Varsity Coach at Guilderland High School where he is very passionate about passing on his love of the sport.

In these coaching roles, and as the Adult Chair Alex is dedicated to improving the accessibility of the sport to new players; connecting, growing, and improving the level of play available to athletes throughout the region; and the use of volleyball and volleyball events to support the communities that it is played in. Alex is excited to support the adult community in his role as Adult Chair and encourages any volleyball players or prospective players to reach out to see how he can better serve our region.

Contact

Phone: 
Email: alex@xlvball.org

Jackie Goldstein

Staff Bio

Jackie Goldstein has been a part of the volleyball community for many years; first as a player, then coach, club director and now as the SafeSport Chairman. She currently lives in Orange County, NY with her daughter, Cameron and is an IT Manager for a large Beauty and Personal Care Manufacturer.

Contact

Phone: 518.603.5952
Email: jackie@xlvball.org

Wade Hayward

Staff Bio

Contact

Phone: 
Email: renee@xlvball.org

Renee Gillen

Staff Bio

Contact

Phone: 
Email: renee@xlvball.org