FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Professional Experience:
Prior to graduating from The University of Texas at Austin with a B.S. in Kinesiology in 1997, Cara worked for the Longhorn Athletic Department during the 1st renovation of DKR Memorial Stadium.  During that time she assisted in the promotion and sales of the new stadium suites and oversaw game day activities throughout the suites. After graduation, Cara accepted a position with AIM Mutual Funds in Houston, Texas where she worked until 2005. While at AIM Mutual Funds, she served as Director of Education Savings overseeing a $500M 529 College Savings Plan and travelled the U.S. extensively presenting and training investment professionals and their clients on the ins and outs of financing a college education. Following her time in Houston, Cara worked for State Farm as an Investments Specialist and then for Wells Fargo as a Trust & Estate Specialist in the Wealth Management Group. In 2011, Cara and her family relocated to Asheville, North Carolina for her husband’s medical residency and she obtained a degree in Medical Sonography while there. In 2015, she again relocated to Medford, Oregon where her husband began his medical practice and she worked as an ultrasound technologist at Rogue Valley Physicians until 2017.

Coaching Experience:
Cara launched RISE Volleyball in 2019 and is entering her 7th year as the Executive Director. In addition to her directorship, Cara has 4 years of experience coaching and running camps and clinics until directing RISE required 100 percent of her time and attention. She currently serves as the Chairman of CEVA Junior Girls Committee and sits on CEVA’s Board of Directors.

Playing Experience:
Cara played volleyball and basketball throughout junior high and high school in Dallas, Texas. She was a member of the University of Texas Archery team and competed in the World Indoor Championships and the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA. She is also a 1st degree black belt in Karate (2014).

Personal:
Cara loves the coast, anything crafty, reading, movies and being anywhere with friends and family.  She loves watching almost every sport, but is a 4th generation Texas Longhorn and lives for Longhorn sports, especially football and volleyball! Cara has three daughters...Jordyn, Poppy and Violet. Jordyn is a graduate of Texas A&M and a nurse practitioner in Austin, Texas. Poppy is a freshman at Southern Oregon University and a member of the Raider beach volleyball team. Violet is a freshman at Cascade Christian High School. In July of 2025 Cara became a grandmother to Ellie Layne, Jordyn’s first child. She met her husband/best friend/most favorite person, Jon (a Texas Tech University graduate), while working at AIM Mutual Funds. They have been married for 22 years. They have the most awesome fur babies…. Raider (for Texas Tech Red Raiders), a 5 year old boxer and Lola, a 4 year old frenchie. Outside of all of that, RISE Volleyball is Cara’s 4th baby. She describes practices and tournaments as her “happy place” because it is where she can watch, encourage and help shape the most awesome girls there are anywhere, ever!

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Professional Experience:
Coach CJ Roberts enters her 4th year as Director of Operations for Rise Volleyball Club and is the Co-Founder and Tournament Director of the Pacific Northwest Summer Volleyball Classic, the largest summer high school tournament in the region. She is also the founder of 7 Athletics & Consulting, partnering with high school, club, and college programs to run high-level camps, evaluate athletes, and provide honest recruiting guidance. As a recruiting consultant, she has supported numerous programs and helped more than 30 athletes find their next collegiate home.

Coaching Experience:
Coach Roberts has over a decade of coaching experience and currently serves as an Assistant Coach at Nebraska Wesleyan University and a Head Coach for MadFrog Volleyball (TX), a nationally recognized top-five club. Prior to MadFrog, she was the Head Coach at Umpqua Community College (OR), where she posted a 33–32 record and in her first year, led the program to its most successful season since 2012. Under her leadership, UCC ranked in the top half of the NWAC in all statistical categories and produced five all-conference athletes and five collegiate transfers.

Before UCC, Roberts helped launch the volleyball program at Providence Academy (AR) and coached with Ozark Juniors Volleyball Club, one of the nation’s top clubs. She previously spent two seasons as an Assistant Coach at Northwestern State University (LA), helping the program earn two conference tournament appearances and one of only 20 at-large bids to the 2019 NIVC Tournament. During her tenure, NSU athletes earned multiple accolades, including 2019 SLC Player of the Year, Five All-SLC, Four All-Academic SLC, Five All-Louisiana selections, and 2019 LSWA Player of the Year. Roberts final record at NSU was 32-28 Overall and 19-3 Conference.

Playing Experience:
Coach Roberts competed at Prairie View A&M University (NCAA Division I) from 2015–2017, earning SWAC Newcomer of the Year as a freshman while becoming the only Panther that season to surpass 100 kills and 100 digs. After starting as a six-rotation outside hitter, she transitioned to middle blocker and ranked in the SWAC’s top five for hitting percentage all three years. Her honors include All-SWAC recognition and the 2018 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Award.

Before PVAMU, she was a four-sport varsity athlete at Mossyrock High School, earning all-league honors in both volleyball and basketball. Her volleyball accolades include two-time All-League MVP, All-Area MVP, All-State, and Powerful Examples of Excellence honors, and she helped lead Mossyrock to state appearances during her sophomore and senior seasons. Although she received collegiate scholarship offers for volleyball, basketball, and track, she chose to continue her volleyball career in college.

Personal:
Originally from Mossyrock, WA, Coach Roberts (formerly Hensch) holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Prairie View A&M University and a Master of Science in Sports Administration from Northwestern State University. Outside of volleyball, she enjoys concerts, traveling, fishing, lake days, game nights, and staying active in basketball and volleyball.

DIRECTOR OF CULTURE & COACHING

Professional Experience:
Coach Will Turner brings a high level of integrity, compassion, and culture to the RISE organization. His professional experience of over 10 years in both the coaching and customer service industries, allows him to elevate our club in the areas of culture and coaching to create the best possible environment for our athletes. 

Coaching Experience:
Coach Turner enters his 12th year as a Head Coach and his 19th year overall. He is in his 3rd year as a Head Coach for RISE Volleyball Club and is currently the Head Coach at North Medford High School.

Playing Experience:
Coach Will Turner has played volleyball at various levels for over 25 years.

Personal:
Coach Turner prides himself on being a good person, husband, father and coach. His wife and kids mean the world to him! He is a sports fanatic because he enjoys competition. Currently, he loves volleyball and golf the most. He loves spending time with his family. Whether it’s just dinner, games or any special event! Respect, Family, Love!!!! 

DIRECTOR OF LOGISTICS & COACHING

Professional Experience:
Coach Brandi Maurer brings a high level of integrity, compassion, and culture to the RISE organization. Her professional experience of over 20 years in administration and health services allows her to elevate our club in the areas of culture and coaching  to create the best possible environment for our athletes.

Coaching Experience:
Coach Maurer enters her 4th year as a Head Coach for RISE Volleyball Club. Outside of RISE, she has coached at Cascade Middle School, and most recently, served as the Head Coach of Cascade High School's JV Team for the 2025 season. In addition to head coaching experience, Coach Maurer has been involved with various camps, clinics, and private lessons over the course of the past 28 years. 

Playing Experience:
Coach Brandi Maurer is a former Oregon State Beaver. She played for Oregon State from 1996-2000. She led her team in her final 2 seasons by earning Pac 10 accolades including honorable mention and first team recognitions. After OSU, Coach Maurer was selected to train in Colorado Springs in 1998 and 1999 and made the National “B” Team. Prior to OSU, Coach Maurer played on a State Champion Gresham High School Team. In addition, she played club ball for Nike Northwest Juniors who finished ranked 5th Nationally in 1996. Coming out of High School, Coach Maurer had racked up many accolades, including First Team all-league, First Team All-American, League Player of the Year, 4A Player of the Year, and First Team All-State.

Personal:
Coach Maurer loves anything outdoors! Camping, hiking, rock hunting, fishing, and paddleboarding. She also loves watching sports of any kind. She has three children...twin boys Austin and Peyton, and a daughter, Morgan. Austin is a sophomore at Seattle University where he competes on the Men's Basketball Team. Peyton is earning his degree at Grand Canyon University as a double major in finance & marketing. Morgan is a freshman at Cascade Christian High School and shares her mom's passion for volleyball. Coach Maurer met her husband Marty in college where he played football at Oregon State University. They have been married and have lived in the Rogue Valley for 22 years. Her best friend is her Australian Shepherd dog named Cash, who is five years old. The Maurer Family also has a cat named Nelson, and an axolotl named Axel.