Personal
Anthony Mezzavilla has been coaching volleyball since he was in high school. His excitement for coaching started when he volunteered his time as a middle school coach during his junior year. Year after year, his passion and high level of commitment to coaching youth volleyball produces consistent successes. Anthony believes in developing the athlete as a whole player. He strives to give each player, at any skill level, his dedication and commitment to their continued development on and off the court. After graduating from UCLA, he taught at Village School in the Pacific Palisades for three years. While at Village, he taught two years of sixth grade and one year of fourth grade. His favorite subjects to teach were social studies and math. He continues to coach because he enjoys educating young players about the game, and watching the moment when the training and learning click. The ‘Ah Ha’ moments.
Coaching Profile
Currently, Anthony coaches at Archer School for Girls. In his first season with the Panthers he helped lead the team to the second round of CIF Southern Section. In 2013, the Panthers made an appearance in the CIF-SS Final Four. That finish was the highest any team in Archer School history has accomplished to date.
Prior to Archer, Anthony attended UCLA (2006-2009) and volunteered as the Undergraduate Assistant Coach for the women’s volleyball team. While at UCLA, the women’s team made appearances in the Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight, and Final Four. Under the tutelage of coach Andy Banachowski, who coached the Bruins for 43 years, Anthony grew an immeasurable amount as a coach in just three seasons. He graduated cum laude with a major in history and minor in education.
Anthony coached at Sports Shack Volleyball Club for six club seasons until making the commitment to Actyve. Anthony has coached teams in the 14s, 15s, 16s, and 18s division.
Coaching Experience
Actyve Volleyball
2021/22 - Head Coach 13 Black, Head Coach 14 Black A
2020/21 - Head Coach 17 Black, Head Coach 15 Blue
2019/20 - Head Coach 16 Molten, Head Coach 14 Molten
2018/19 - Head Coach 16-Mizuno, Assistant Coach 14-Mizuno K & 11-Mizuno
2017/18 - Head Coach 14-Mizuno
2017/18 - Head Coach 13-Molten
2015/16 - Head Coach 18- Mizuno
Buckley (2017-Present)
Head Varsity Coach and Program Director
Won the 2017 CIF-SS Division VIII Championship
Coached two All CIF-SS players and the CIF-SS DVIII Player of the Year
2017 DVIII Coach of the Year
Archer School for Girls
Reached CIF Playoffs every year of his tenure (2010 - current) with exception of one (2011)
Coached one League MVP, four All-CIF First Team athletes, and a handful of first team athletes
UCLA
Undergraduate Assistant Coach (2006 - 2009)
Reached Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight, and Final Four
Involved in every facet of practice
Laguna Beach Volleyball Club
2017 - Assistant Coach 18-1s, 16-1s
Sports Shack
2013/14 - Head Coach 18-Asic
Won the Southern California Qualifier
T-5th at USAV Junior Nationals in Minneapolis, MN
All 13 athletes received offers to play in college
2012/13 - 14-1s & 18-Asics
18s accepted Open bid to Junior Nationals and finishing 23rd in the country
14-1s finished the season at AAUs with a strong showing
2010/11 - 15-1s
Qualified for Junior Nationals at the SCVA Qualifier
First time Sports Shack had sent a 15s team to Nationals
Finished 13th
2009/10 - 16-2s
Took 37th at Regionals, highest finish for a “2s” team in recent Shack history
Recipient of the Sports Shack “Coach of the Year” award
2008/09 - 16-2s
2007/08 - 14-2s
Pinnacle Volleyball Club
2005/06 - 16-1s Head Coach
Inaugural year of Pinnacle Volleyball Club
Three separate top 10 finishes in NCVA tournaments
Northgate High School - Walnut Creek, CA
2004/05 - JV Head Coach
1st and 4th place finishes at tournaments
2005/06 - Freshman Head Coach
15-1 League record, won the league title
First Place at the Northgate Freshman Tournament
Testimonials
I had the pleasure of playing for Anthony for two years in a row. I would not be the volleyball player I am today if it were not for him. His passion for volleyball is contagious, and it makes me love the sport even more. He always pushes me, which I greatly appreciate; he has so much confidence in his players (even when they do not have confidence in themselves). However, what I like most about Anthony is the fact that he truly cares about his players on a personal level. He would always ask, "How are you?" Or, "How was your day?" He wanted to know what was going on in my life. I cannot even put into words how grateful I am for that because that is so rare to find in a coach. Most coaches do not care about you as a person.
-- Gracie Napolitano
NYU Class '18
2013 - 18 Open Junior National Top 25
2014 - Won SCVA Qualifier
Anthony truly loves the game of volleyball and is a dedicated coach. He focuses not only on the development of the team as a whole, but also on the individual goals of each player. One could see on his face when a player broke through her limitations on the court; his pride and happiness for her was evident. He knows when to push the girls beyond their comfort zone in practice and how to encourage them in the face of challenging matches. His rapport with the players and parents enabled a fun year of learning and athletic growth. His enthusiasm for club volleyball is contagious!
Carrie Mapes
Mother of Abby Mapes
Anthony was the coach for my daughter twice - first as an assistant on the 15-1 and then as the head coach on the 18-1. Both times, the team won a bid in the So Cal Qualifier and then went on to play in the Junior Nationals. Anthony is experienced at high level play, tournaments and qualifiers - he is serious and competitive but also knows when to have some fun.
Katherine Thompson
Mother of Alex Thompson - Princeton Class of '18