Santa Cruz Volleyball Project

Matt Schutz is the longtime varsity head coach at Harbor High School and one of the most respected coaches in the region. With over 30 years of coaching experience, he has built a legacy of excellence and consistency within the Harbor volleyball program. Under his leadership, Harbor has captured 11 SCCAL championships and most recently earned CCS titles in 2023 and 2025. His impact on the sport was recognized statewide when he was named the 2024 California Coach of the Year. Beyond the court, Matt is also a dedicated Harbor High School chemistry teacher, bringing the same passion and precision to the classroom that he brings to coaching.

Scotty Sanborn has been a longstanding member of the Santa Cruz Volleyball Community, playing for over 15 years and coaching for over 10. He is the head coach of Harbor Beach volleyball, while running strength and conditioning for the indoor teams. He has previously coached for SC Beach, Main Beach, and PCS where he won a CCS Championship in 2017.

Alongside his coaching endeavors, Scotty holds a AAA rating in beach volleyball, and is pursuing a masters degree in physical education after 2 years of teaching math at Harbor. Off the court, he enjoys tranquil walks with his companion, Corazon.

Yuki is thrilled to be a part of our volleyball community. She is a lifelong volleyball player, a coach, a former teacher, and a busy mom of three! Her passion for volleyball began when she  was eight years old, and she has been actively competing in beach volleyball since 2019, which she absolutely loves.

Beyond the court, she has had the joy of teaching elementary school in Japan, Colorado, and New Jersey. During her teaching career, she also coached volleyball, and she is proud to say we brought home three state championships! Now, she coaches both boys' and girls' volleyball teams here in Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz.

More Fun Facts About Yuki:

She is a big gardener! You'll often find her in her happy place, her garden, usually with her chickens, dogs, and cats, and sometimes even with friends and family.

She holds a second-degree black belt in Karate. She competed at nationals for six years, even placing 5th in the Japanese National Title. Yes, she is strong!

Yuki is truly looking forward to working with all of you and our amazing athletes this season!

Maille Murphy is a 2024 UCSC graduate and brings extensive playing and coaching experience to the Santa Cruz Volleyball Project. She competed at the varsity level at Steamboat Springs High School and played club volleyball with Whiteout Volleyball in Colorado for eight years. Maille has also volunteered as a coach for developmental teams for two years, where she focused on building strong fundamentals and confidence in young athletes. She is excited to coach the Purple Team and is committed to creating a positive, supportive, and growth focused environment.

Alex is a Santa Cruz local who went to Harbor High and played for Main Beach Boys before going to play on the Sonoma State Mens Club Volleyball team. At Sonoma his team got second in the nation in 2015. While in college he also played hockey for four years. He graduated with a History degree and a minor in Anthropology.

Alex began his coaching career as an assistant for Cardinal Newman JV before coming back home and returning to Harbor High as the freshman coach. From there he went on to coach JV girls and boys at Harbor, girls and boys middle school at B40, and Main Beach. While at Harbor he has been on the coaching staff of three CCS winning teams.

When not coaching Alex can usually be found in his garden or coming up with new projects around the house.

Top current and former star athletes bring their skill, dedication, experience and leadership to elevate the next generation of players!

Jocelyn Ruelas adds to our coaching roster with her dynamic and versatile background. A freshman at Cabrillo College, Jocelyn excels at both indoor and beach volleyball. She is also a CCS champion from her time at Harbor High. She coaches the Shoreline Middle School girls volleyball team as well. She’ll be coaching the Red Team and is passionate about fostering a supportive and growth-oriented environment for all players. We’re thrilled to have her on board.

Grace Stryker brings a wealth of energy and experience to the Santa Cruz Volleyball Project. An all-league libero from the Santa Cruz City Schools league and a CCS champion with Harbor High, Grace is currently a freshman at Cabrillo College where she plays on the indoor volleyball team, and softball! Grace will be coaching the Green Team, where she’s dedicated to creating a supportive and fun environment for all players. We’re thrilled to have her on board!

Laysha Valgas is a fantastic addition to our coaching team. Currently a freshman at Cabrillo College, Laysha was a middle blocker at Harbor High School and a key player for the Main Beach Volleyball Club. She also coaches the Shoreline Middle School girls volleyball team. Laysha will be coaching the Gold Team, bringing her strong presence at the net and a positive, encouraging style to help each player thrive.

Jake Sandidge is a passionate coach and lifelong athlete with deep roots in the Santa Cruz volleyball community. He played at PCS and won a CCS championship alongside Scotty Sanborn in 2017. Jake now coaches Harbor High School boys volleyball, helping lead the program to a CCS championship in 2025, and also serves as the head coach for Kinnect 14s. A current UCSC history student, he remains highly active as a beach volleyball player and competitor. Whether on the court or off, Jake brings energy, competitiveness, and a genuine love for any game involving a ball.

Bio coming soon

Coach Cora can be seen roaming the beach courts, cautiously approaching strangers in hopes of free food. When she's not digging sand or chasing seagulls, she can be found dodging volleyballs or cozying up to the nearest human for protection.