Coaches

Club Director & Head Coach: Ellen Schafer

Bio: Ellen Schafer first learned how to play volleyball when she was 11 years old being coached by her mother. Ellen joined Northern Heat Volleyball (NHVB) in 2005 where she alternated between middle hitter and right side until her final season in 2009. Ellen attended Cretin-Derham Hall High School playing volleyball, basketball, and ultimate frisbee all 4 years. Ellen started her coaching career as an assistant coach during her senior year of high school in 2010. Upon high school graduation from Cretin-Derham Hall, Ellen went on to play club volleyball at University of St. Thomas (UST). As well as becoming a head coach for Northern Heat.

Ellen graduated from UST in 2014 and was hired as head of the 9th grade volleyball program at Cretin-Derham Hall. She held that job for two years before being promoted to JV and varsity assistant coach in 2016. Ellen helped lead that team to a conference title and 2nd place in sectionals. In 2017, Ellen was hired as the varsity volleyball coach for Cretin-Derham Hall and became owner and director of JO club, Northern Heat Volleyball. After the 2019 varsity season, Ellen retired from coaching high school volleyball, but maintains ownership of Northern Heat Volleyball. Prior to the pandemic, Northern Heat was growing exponentially with 11 teams consisting of over 120 athletes and over 30 coaches. We are excited to be able to play volleyball again and regrow the program back up.

Ellen has coached at the local, regional, and national level for club volleyball and is in her 16th year at Northern Heat.

Outside of volleyball, Ellen is the STEM Coordinator for Cretin-Derham Hall High School. Ellen plays on various women’s and coed volleyball teams throughout the Twin Cities. Ellen enjoys hanging out with friends and family and traveling.

Email: ellenschafer10@gmail.com