Sam McLean

Sam returns to Absolute Volleyball Club as the Co-Head Coach of 12 Black, assistant for 16 Pink, and the Boy’s Director for the 2025–26 season. In 2024–25, he served as Co-Head Coach of 11 Black and Assistant Coach of 14 Black. Sam brings multiple years of coaching experience, including the past two at AVC, where he has worked with boys’ and girls’ teams at the 12s, 14s, and 16s levels.

As a player, Sam competed for three years on the AVC Boys’ 18-1s team (2017–2019) as a setter and pin hitter. A 2019 graduate of Marin Catholic High School, he excelled as a setter, outside hitter, and right-side player. His accolades include two MCAL First Team selections, an MCAL championship in 2018, and Marin Catholic’s first NCS section title in boys’ volleyball in more than 20 years. He was also named Marin IJ Prep Athlete of the Week and Marin Catholic Men’s Volleyball MVP in 2019.

Sam continued his volleyball career at UC Riverside, where he played four years of collegiate club volleyball in the Southern California Collegiate Volleyball League (SCCVL) while earning his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. His collegiate highlights include a 2nd-place finish in the AA Division at Nationals and earning All-Tournament Team honors in 2023.

Certified in First Aid, SafeSport, the USA Volleyball Coaching Accreditation Program (CAP), and IMPACT, Sam is committed to providing a safe, positive, and growth-oriented environment for his athletes.

Sam’s coaching philosophy emphasizes hard work, positivity, and balance. He aims to instill both volleyball skills and life lessons, encouraging athletes to have fun, grow as individuals, and develop into strong teammates. He finds fulfillment in watching players progress, enjoy the game, and discover their potential while contributing to the sport he loves and giving back to the community.