In addition to the assigned team coaches, Panther athletes are always supported by numerous support coaches who have tremendous experience and are passionate about the Panther mission: Chris Perry, Steve Ivan, Jamie Bach, Nicki Wiest, Jared Quan, Anna Schwark and more!
Coaches for the 2024-2025 Season
Ian Bennett - I was quite fortunate to have some amazing coaches in my youth. These coaches helped me shape many guiding principles in my life – from the disciplined pursuit of excellence to the virtue of making decisions based on being a good person. Honoring these coaches is why I began coaching. 25 years later I continue to try to instill the value of being a great teammate and show volleyball players how enjoyable this game can be as their abilities improve.
Coaching Experience:
8 post-secondary seasons. Trojans/Kodiaks ACAC
8 Team Alberta seasons. 16u/19u
15 Club Seasons. Canada West/LVC/Panthers
17 Middle School/High School seasons
Volleyball Canada Coach Educator for 15 years
Numerous camps, clinics, and beach seasons.
Jo Dixon - I have almost completed my Ed. degree from the UofL. I have been around the sport of Volleyball for many years and am very passionate about it. I was a setter for the Lethbridge College Women's Volleyball team from 2019-2022! I have also been coaching school and club volleyball for the past three season. I am grateful that I am able to give back to the community by sharing my experiences with young athletes. I am looking forward to once again coach with Ian and be a part of this team!
Coach Ressler - brings a wealth of coaching experience and a passion for volleyball to the Panthers. With over 20 seasons of coaching volleyball at various levels, Coach Ressler has a proven track record of developing players' skills and fostering a positive team environment. Coach Ressler puts a priority on team culture and works to create a healthy, competitive atmosphere that promotes growth for all athletes. He believes that everything is better together, the triumphs and the defeats. The goal is to create a training environment that challenges everyone on a daily basis, embracing the mistakes and failing forward. Outside of the Panthers, Coach Ressler teaches at Prairie Winds Secondary, and is the Athletic Director. He has coached track and field, badminton and baseball in previous years, further demonstrating a commitment to the growth and development of young athletes. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife Jessica and daughter Haisley, playing golf, and learning about new teaching/coaching methods and techniques. Coach Ressler is excited to contribute to the club’s mission and look forward to a successful season with a talented U16 team.
Cassie Patterson - I’m currently the head coach of the Senior Varsity girls team at Catholic Central High School. I’ve been lucky enough to learn from and work with many numerous coaches over the past 6 years, both in school and club ball, including many of the Panthers staff. Prior to my coaching I played NCAA Division 1 volleyball at Indiana State University, and had an overwhelmingly positive experience. I try to bring lessons from my time there to all of the athletes I work with, providing them with new ideas or strategies. I’m very much looking forward to being a part of the Panthers community!
Parker Bijl - This is Parker Bijl’s 6th year coaching volleyball and 1st season with Panthers, but brings many years of coaching experience with him. Parker attended the University of Lethbridge where he received his bachelor’s degrees in Kinesiology & Education. He is currently a fourth year teacher at Wilson Middle School where he coaches the Senior Girls volleyball program. Parker has his Developmental certification and hopes to pursue his Advanced later this year. His last few seasons of coaching have involved 4 seasons in club, running both Junior & Senior varsity programs in high school, and now middle school level teams. Coach Parker is looking forward to bringing a contagious energy, demonstrating positive leadership, and implementing a dedicated work ethic to the 16U Girls Panthers team alongside Clayton and Cassie.
Hilary Tilleman - I’m looking forward to getting back into coaching! I was incredibly lucky to have had numerous coaches that helped shape and mold me into the player I became and I can’t wait to give back and support a community that supported me. My playing career included playing WAHM club volleyball, Team Alberta, University of Saskatchewan Huskies and I ended my career playing for the Lethbridge College Kodiaks. I now work as a social worker and am starting my masters. I am a firm believer that work ethic and dedication are paramount to furthering yourself as a player. I can’t wait to work with this amazing group of ladies and help them grow as players and individuals.
Renae Csurka - Volleyball has been a passion of mine since childhood, and I am thrilled to be coaching the U17 girls this year. Having been a part of the Panther family as a player and now transitioning into a coaching role, I look forward to contributing to the development of these young athletes both on and off the court!
Dani Price - I was fortunate to play with the Panthers my u18 club year after several years of LVC, Junior Kodiaks, and Team Alberta. I loved the philosophy of the club and coaching style, which benefited me throughout my university career. I played three and a half years at the University of Colorado in the PAC12, then transferred to UBC Vancouver to play these past three years. I was also a part of the Next Gen National team in 2021. I am so excited to be back with the Panther family as a coach and I look forward to applying all the lessons I have learned along the way. My goal is to help athletes grasp their potential, grow as people, and thrive as players.