Amanda Ilgunas

Amanda returns as the assistant coach the 18 Black team for the 2025-26 season at AVC after winning a bronze medal at USAV Nationals with 18 Black in the 2024-25 season.

Amanda Ilgunas brings 16 years of coaching experience to Absolute Volleyball Club, where she has been coaching since 2020. Throughout her career, Amanda has coached a variety of teams, including 15 Black, 18 Pink, and 18 Black, and has accumulated over 10 Open bids, 5 National Bids, 1 USA, and 2 American finishes. She has a reputation for building competitive teams and empowering her players to achieve their goals.

Amanda was a standout player herself, having played as a Libero at Notre Dame Academy High School. She earned First Team All-League honors and led her team to a CIF Division III Championship.

Amanda went on to play both Division 1, then club volleyball at UCSB, where she majored in Theatre and minored in Exercise and Sports Science. While at UCSB, she helped her team win a national championship in 2009 and was named MVP of UCSB Girl’s Club Volleyball in 2010.

As a coach, Amanda emphasizes the importance of hard work, dedication, and the right mindset to overcome challenges. She believes that with a calm but determined approach, players can perform at their highest potential and enjoy the process of growth and competition.

Amanda’s coaching philosophy is rooted in helping players build confidence, resilience, and mental toughness. She believes that the best athletes are those who trust their training, embrace challenges, and maintain a positive attitude even in the face of adversity.

Outside of volleyball, Amanda enjoys music, hiking, traveling, and spending time with her family. She also has a background as a private trainer, which further complements her coaching approach.