Meet The Coaching Staff

Lexi Pearson

Lexi is a St. Charles native with a deep-rooted love for volleyball. She started playing club at age 12 with the St. Charles Stars before moving to High Performance, one of the most competitive and well-respected clubs in the Gateway Region.

Lexi also played all four years at Francis Howell Central High School, where she developed her skills and passion for the game. She competed at a very high level throughout her volleyball career, gaining valuable experience and a deep understanding of the game.

Last season, Lexi served as the head coach for a 15U team, where she enjoyed helping athletes grow both on and off the court. Now that her own playing journey has come to an end, she is excited to continue giving back to the sport she loves.

She married her high school sweetheart, and together they’re raising their sweet daughter, Ivy. Lexi is passionate about helping younger athletes improve their game, build confidence, and develop a strong sense of teamwork.

Her goal is to create a positive and encouraging environment where players can grow their skills while developing a lifelong love for volleyball.

Branden Anderson

Branden grew up in Wentzville and developed a passion for volleyball after years of supporting and cheering on his daughter through recreational, club, and high school volleyball.

Branden is a Police Lieutenant with more than 20 years of law enforcement instruction and leadership experience. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration and a Master of Science in Sociology and Criminal Justice.

During the 2025–2026 season, Branden served as an assistant coach for the 15U team and also stepped in to help wherever needed throughout the club.

He strives to create an upbeat, positive, and fun atmosphere for players while helping them grow both on and off the court.

Josef Mansour

Coach Josef brings six years of coaching experience and a passion for helping athletes grow both on and off the court. His coaching philosophy is built around confidence, accountability, teamwork, and creating a positive environment where athletes feel supported, challenged, and empowered to reach their potential.

Josef believes sports teach some of life's most valuable lessons, including leadership, resilience, communication, and self accountability. He focuses on helping athletes develop not only their volleyball skills, but also the confidence and mindset needed to succeed in all areas of life.

A lifelong student of the game, Josef is constantly seeking new ways to teach fundamentals, improve athlete understanding, and help players compete with confidence and purpose. His leadership experience extends beyond volleyball, with more than 22 years in manufacturing leadership and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Northwood University.

Originally from Northwest Ohio, Josef relocated to Missouri in 2019. As a father of four, much of his passion for coaching comes from watching his daughters develop their own love for volleyball and seeing firsthand the impact a positive coach can have on a young athlete.

Coach Josef is excited to bring positivity, energy, and a growth mindset to Pura Vida Volleyball Academy while helping athletes build confidence, compete fearlessly, and continue falling in love with the game.

Mishael Hill

Mishael Hill brings a wealth of playing experience, leadership, and passion for athlete development to Pura Vida Volleyball Academy. A lifelong athlete originally from Illinois, Mishael competed in multiple sports growing up, but volleyball quickly became her true passion.

Her volleyball career spanned from middle school through the collegiate level, where she excelled as a middle hitter and blocker. During her college career, Mishael earned national recognition, finishing 3rd in the nation in blocks at the NJCAA level while also earning her Associate of Applied Science degree. Her commitment to excellence, work ethic, and competitive mindset helped her achieve success both on the court and in the classroom.

Even after her collegiate career, Mishael’s love for the game never faded. She continued competing in sand volleyball, local leagues, and recreational play while sharing her knowledge with younger athletes. She also served as a USAV coach for her oldest daughter’s club team, further fueling her passion for teaching and mentoring players.

Mishael and her husband recently relocated to the area from Perryville, Missouri, with their two youngest daughters. As a mother of five, she understands the importance of building confidence, character, and resilience in young athletes. She believes volleyball is about much more than wins and losses—it is an opportunity to develop discipline, accountability, teamwork, and mental toughness that extends far beyond the court.

Her coaching philosophy centers around growth, effort, and continuous improvement. Mishael believes that while not every athlete is born with natural talent, determination, a willingness to learn, and a strong work ethic can take players further than they ever imagined.

As Mishael often says, “It’s not about being better than someone else; it’s about being better than you were before.”

When she’s not in the gym, Mishael enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors, and boating with her family.

Alyssa Pendelton

Alyssa grew up playing competitive volleyball from 14U through 18U, where she excelled as both a middle and right-side hitter. She competed with the Saint Charles Stars Volleyball Club and PAO, gaining years of experience on the court that shaped her love for the game.

Now entering her second season of coaching club volleyball, Alyssa returns after coaching ECMO 14U last year and is excited to continue her journey with Pura Vida Volleyball Academy.

Her coaching philosophy centers around building confidence, encouraging growth, and creating a positive team culture where athletes can thrive both on and off the court.

Outside of volleyball, Alyssa worked for five years in Memory Care before becoming a full-time mom to her two young children. Her professional background instilled patience, empathy, and leadership, qualities she now brings into her coaching.

Her goal is to help athletes fall in love with the sport just as she did, while passing on the knowledge and skills she gained as a player.

Daniel McGarrigle

Daniel McGarrigle brings five years of coaching experience to Pura Vida Volleyball Academy and is passionate about helping young athletes reach their full potential. His coaching philosophy centers on building confident, disciplined players who are willing to work hard, embrace challenges, and continually strive to improve. He believes the greatest growth happens outside of an athlete’s comfort zone and encourages players to view mistakes as opportunities to learn rather than setbacks.

Beyond the volleyball court, Daniel has spent more than 15 years in leadership and management roles and proudly served in the military. Those experiences have shaped his coaching style, emphasizing preparation, accountability, adaptability, and leading by example. He is committed to creating a positive, competitive environment where athletes are challenged to develop not only their volleyball skills, but also the character and resilience that will serve them throughout life.

As a proud Girl Dad, Daniel has a personal passion for mentoring young female athletes. He understands the importance of building confidence, encouraging leadership, and helping each player recognize her own potential. His goal is to create an atmosphere where every athlete feels supported, challenged, and empowered to become the best version of herself.

Daniel believes success is measured by far more than wins and losses. He is dedicated to developing hardworking teammates, confident leaders, and young women who carry the values of discipline, perseverance, and teamwork well beyond the volleyball court.

Nicky Owens

Nicky brings a strong foundation of volleyball knowledge and a true passion for developing athletes both on and off the court.

She has coached high school volleyball for 7 seasons at the varsity level and brings an additional 4 seasons of club volleyball experience. She understands what it takes to help players grow in both skill and confidence.

Her coaching style is rooted in positivity, encouragement, and accountability. Nicky is dedicated to creating an environment where athletes feel supported, challenged, and empowered to push themselves.

Originally from Minnesota, Nicky played volleyball at the high school, club, and collegiate levels, giving her a well rounded perspective as both an athlete and a coach.

Nicky is excited to be part of the Pura Vida family and looks forward to helping athletes grow, compete, and love the game every step of the way.

Gracie Hahn

Gracie Hahn brings a lifelong passion for volleyball, a positive mindset, and a strong desire to help young athletes grow both on and off the court. She has competed at a high level since 3rd grade, developing her skills through years of club volleyball and high school competition at both St. Pius X High School and Seckman High School.

Known for her upbeat personality and encouraging attitude, Gracie believes in creating a positive environment where athletes can build confidence, overcome challenges, and enjoy the process of becoming better players and teammates. Her energy and enthusiasm are contagious, and she strives to inspire those around her to approach both volleyball and life with optimism and determination.

Gracie recently graduated from Maryville University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Forensic Psychology. Her educational background has strengthened her communication, leadership, and mentoring skills, all of which translate naturally into coaching.

While the demands of college limited her ability to continue playing competitively after high school, her love for the game never faded. Now as a college graduate, Gracie is excited to give back to the sport that has been such an important part of her life. She is passionate about helping athletes develop their skills, build self-confidence, and create lasting memories through volleyball.

Gracie is eager to share her knowledge, positivity, and love for the game as she begins her coaching journey and helps the next generation of players reach their potential.