Our Coaches

Nicole Waters, Co-Founder Top Caliber Volleyball/Director of Coaching

-Alumni of Peace College and East Carolina University, Degree in Hispanic Studies Education, Current Spanish Teacher at Ayden Grifton High School

-Former Outside Hitter for Peace College 2005-2007
    -Voted Most Valuable Player 2006
    -Holds single season record in kills and aces

-Former Coach for Capital City Volleyball Club in Raleigh, NC

-Current Head Coach Ayden Grifton High School
    -2021 Eastern Plains Conference Champions
    -2021 Eastern Plains Conference Tournament Champions
    -4th Round appearance in 2021 2a NCHSAA State Playoffs
    -2021 Eastern Plains Conference Coach of the Year

-Coaching Director within the Top Caliber Volleyball Program

-Married to co-founder Bryan Waters and has 2 daughters, Layla and Thea.
 

Billy Dudding, Director of Coaching

–Alumni of LCC and UNC Pembroke where he played collegiate baseball. Graduated with a degree in applied physics.
–Former Varsity Volleyball and JV Baseball Coach at West Craven High School
–Former Coach for Twin Rivers Volleyball Club in New Bern, NC
–Current Assistant Coach and Math Teacher at Ayden Grifton High School where he joins Coach Waters for the 2022 season.
–Master Coach within the Top Caliber Volleyball Program
–Married to his wife Jenna and has 3 daughters Graycn, Gabriela and Charleigh.

Linda Bryant, Coach

The current head coach for South Central High School volleyball program.  Linda brings extensive knowledge and success to our Top Caliber family.  Bryant coached at North Pitt High School for 10 years and won three conference titles while there. Following her transfer to Ayden-Grifton High school, she spent 10 years growing the program into a winning team. Her stint with the Chargers included three straight conference titles (2017-2019) to go along with 2nd place in the state for NCHSAA 2A high schools (2019). Linda sets high standards for her teams and has a secret to success everywhere she goes. Her values of character, work ethic, and accountability make her a perfect fit for the Top Caliber Volleyball Club.

Rachel Leitch, Coach

Rachel joins Top Caliber’s coaching staff this fall for her second season and brings with her a plethora of knowledge.  She graduated high school in 2020 from South Central High School where she was a setter/right side for the Falcon’s Varsity Volleyball team for 3 years.  She also played club volleyball at ECJVC in Greenville, NC.  Currently she attends Pitt Community College and is studying business.  She was a member of Pitt’s Volleyball Team where she is the was in the role of setter.  She is currently the assistant coach at Pitt Community College.  We look forward to having Rachel return to TC this season!

Zion Hardy, Coach

Zion returns for her third year with Top Caliber Volleyball.  She was a star player at Ayden Grifton High School on the varsity team for 4 years.  She received all conference honors her junior and senior year.  She played club volleyball for ECJVC in Greenville, NC.  After her amazing high school career, she went on to Mississippi Valley State University where she was a starting member of the volleyball team.  She currently resides in Greenville, NC and is the Head Coach at The Oakwood School in Greenville, NC.
 

Lexi Bryant, Coach

Lexi comes back for a third year at Top Caliber Volleyball.  She is a current member of the Fayetteville State volleyball team where she is an outside hitter.  She played club volleyball for ECJVC in Greenville, NC.  She was a four year starter for the Ayden-Grifton volleyball team and also a member of the 2A state runner up team in 2019.  She was named all conference and all area all 4 years as well as MVP all 4 years as well.  Lexi is a very hard worker and loves to dedicate her time to giving lessons to future volleyball players.  We are so fortunate to have her as a member of our club!

T’jana Pugh, Coach

T’jana/T returns for her third year with TCVC this fall.  She is the current head coach at Wellcome Middle School in Greenville, NC.  She has many years of coaching experience with Pitt County Parks and Recreation where she coaches and referees.  She was also a former club coach for ECJVC and Southern Pitt Volleyball Club.  Her laid back style has many of the kids enjoying their practice and game days with her!  She loves coaching the middle school and younger age groups and does a great job!  We look forward to having T back with us this fall.

Brianna Dillard, Coach

Brianna is a local athlete who joins Top Caliber  for her second season this fall!  She graduated from Pitt Community College where she was a member of the volleyball team.  She is a current junior at ECU.  She has coached and site-facilitated volleyball for PCVC as well as ECJVC.  She attended North Pitt High School where she was a four year varsity member of the volleyball team.  She loves coaching volleyball, especially helping with the younger age groups.  In her free time she likes to spend time with friends and family.

Jane Avery, Coach
Lee Avery, Coach

This is Cassidy’s 3rd year with TCVC.  Cassidy was a member of Greene Central Volleyball, as well as the softball team, for 4 years where she was a starter. She played club volleyball for Lenoir Fusion during her high school career.  She is currently finished her career at Lenoir Community College where she was ia member of the volleyball team.  She brings a lot of life and laughter to our program and we are excited to have her back!