ECVC Coaching Staff
cOACH Scott Allen
Club Director, Director of Coaching/Coach
Coach Scott Allen has an extensive playing and coaching background which gives him a unique perspective into the challenges that face student-athletes. Coach Allen was a member of the All Air Force Volleyball team from 2001 to 2004 and won Gold and a Silver Medal in the Armed Forces Tournament during his time on the team. In 2003 he was selected to represent the USA in the CISM Military World Games in Catania Italy. When asked about the Military World Games coach Allen replied, “Representing my country and wearing the red, white, and blue is the greatest honor I have ever had as an athlete.” Scott Allen is formerly the Head Coach at Choctaw High School and currently the Head Coach at Gulf Coast State College. He has spent many years coaching at the high school and club level and is excited about his new adventure in the college coaching world.
Coach Scott coached the 14 Black team during the 2014 season for Emerald Coast Volleyball Club where they earned 5 Tournament Championships and finished 3rd place in the Nation with an 11-1 record at AAU Nationals held in Orlando Florida.
During the 2017 Indoor Club Season Coach Scott led his 14u team to multiple championship victories, regional runner up, and earned two top 10 finishes at the AAU National Championships in the 14u and 15u divisions.
During the 2017 High School Season, Coach Scott led the Choctaw High School Volleyball team to its first ever FHSAA State Championship, finishing the season with a 23-2 Record and close to 100 wins during his tenure at Choctaw. Turning the program with a 5-12 record prior to his first season, to a State Champion in his 5th and final season as head coach.
Coach Scott is currently the head coach at Gulf Coast State College. In Coach Scott's first four seasons with the Commodores they secured back to back Sun Lakes Conference Championships in 2019 and 2020. In those seasons they finished 10th and 6th in the NJCAA Division II National Rankings. Coach was awarded the Kim Whitney Coach of the Year award in 2019 and 2020, the 2019 and 2020 NJCAA Gulf District Coach of the Year, and the AVCA Two Year College Southeastern United States Region Coach of the Year for the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
Under Coach Scott's direction the Commodores have produced one NJCAA All American, two Sun-Lakes Conference MVP's, Four 1st Team All Conference Players and three 2nd Team All Conference Players.
Coach Scott Allen has an extensive playing and coaching background which gives him a unique perspective into the challenges that face student-athletes. Coach Allen was a member of the All Air Force Volleyball team from 2001 to 2004 and won Gold and a Silver Medal in the Armed Forces Tournament during his time on the team. In 2003 he was selected to represent the USA in the CISM Military World Games in Catania Italy. When asked about the Military World Games coach Allen replied, “Representing my country and wearing the red, white, and blue is the greatest honor I have ever had as an athlete.” Scott Allen is formerly the Head Coach at Choctaw High School and currently the Head Coach at Gulf Coast State College. He has spent many years coaching at the high school and club level and is excited about his new adventure in the college coaching world.
Coach Scott coached the 14 Black team during the 2014 season for Emerald Coast Volleyball Club where they earned 5 Tournament Championships and finished 3rd place in the Nation with an 11-1 record at AAU Nationals held in Orlando Florida.
During the 2017 Indoor Club Season Coach Scott led his 14u team to multiple championship victories, regional runner up, and earned two top 10 finishes at the AAU National Championships in the 14u and 15u divisions.
During the 2017 High School Season, Coach Scott led the Choctaw High School Volleyball team to its first ever FHSAA State Championship, finishing the season with a 23-2 Record and close to 100 wins during his tenure at Choctaw. Turning the program with a 5-12 record prior to his first season, to a State Champion in his 5th and final season as head coach.
Coach Scott is currently the head coach at Gulf Coast State College. In Coach Scott's first four seasons with the Commodores they secured back to back Sun Lakes Conference Championships in 2019 and 2020. In those seasons they finished 10th and 6th in the NJCAA Division II National Rankings. Coach was awarded the Kim Whitney Coach of the Year award in 2019 and 2020, the 2019 and 2020 NJCAA Gulf District Coach of the Year, and the AVCA Two Year College Southeastern United States Region Coach of the Year for the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
Under Coach Scott's direction the Commodores have produced one NJCAA All American, two Sun-Lakes Conference MVP's, Four 1st Team All Conference Players and three 2nd Team All Conference Players.
cOACH Meaghan Allen
Club Director – Director of Administration/Coach
Coach Meaghan Allen is a graduate of Choctaw High School and 30 year native of Fort Walton Beach. Meaghan was a member of the Lady Indians volleyball program that set and still holds the school record for most wins in a season. In addition, as an individual, she was awarded the Gatorade Will to Win Athlete Award. After graduating from Choctaw in 2002, Meaghan became the freshmen volleyball coach. After one year of coaching at Choctaw, Meaghan became an assistant coach at Fort Walton Beach, where she was involved with the program for several years in helping them to win multiple district championships before she decided to take a break to focus on competing in beach volleyball. As the assistant coach at Choctawhatchee from 2013 - 2017 she was a part of three consecutive district championship victories and two Elite 8 Appearances and a State Championship Title. Meaghan took over the South Walton High School program in 2019 and won a District Championship in the 2020 season and has a current record of 46 wins, 20 losses over three seasons as the Seahawks head coach.
During the 2017 Club season Meaghan led her 16u team to 4 tournament victories, a 5th place finish at Beast of the Southeast, 9th Place in the USA Division of the Big South National Qualifier, a Regional Championship and a 5th place finish in the Club division of the AAU National Championships which resulted in one of her athletes being named an AAU All American. As the head 16 National Coach in 2021 Coach Meaghan led her team to multiple finals appearances including a second place finish in the 18s division of the LAV Invitational, second place at Jax Jam and finishing Champions of the Nashville AAU Super Regional.
Meaghan has won several open level beach and indoor volleyball tournaments all over the Southeastern United States, along with two second place finishes on the Extreme Volleyball Professionals tour. In 2010, along with her 4 man team, Meaghan was inducted into the Emerald Coast Volleyball Hall of Fame and is team captain for what is now the winningest teams in the Open division of the world renowned Fudpucker 4 player tournament with 16 championship appearances and 12 wins in the Women's Open Division. In 2019 Meaghan was inducted into Hall of Fame All Stars for being the winningest player in the tournament's 30 year history.
Coach Meaghan Allen is a graduate of Choctaw High School and 30 year native of Fort Walton Beach. Meaghan was a member of the Lady Indians volleyball program that set and still holds the school record for most wins in a season. In addition, as an individual, she was awarded the Gatorade Will to Win Athlete Award. After graduating from Choctaw in 2002, Meaghan became the freshmen volleyball coach. After one year of coaching at Choctaw, Meaghan became an assistant coach at Fort Walton Beach, where she was involved with the program for several years in helping them to win multiple district championships before she decided to take a break to focus on competing in beach volleyball. As the assistant coach at Choctawhatchee from 2013 - 2017 she was a part of three consecutive district championship victories and two Elite 8 Appearances and a State Championship Title. Meaghan took over the South Walton High School program in 2019 and won a District Championship in the 2020 season and has a current record of 46 wins, 20 losses over three seasons as the Seahawks head coach.
During the 2017 Club season Meaghan led her 16u team to 4 tournament victories, a 5th place finish at Beast of the Southeast, 9th Place in the USA Division of the Big South National Qualifier, a Regional Championship and a 5th place finish in the Club division of the AAU National Championships which resulted in one of her athletes being named an AAU All American. As the head 16 National Coach in 2021 Coach Meaghan led her team to multiple finals appearances including a second place finish in the 18s division of the LAV Invitational, second place at Jax Jam and finishing Champions of the Nashville AAU Super Regional.
Meaghan has won several open level beach and indoor volleyball tournaments all over the Southeastern United States, along with two second place finishes on the Extreme Volleyball Professionals tour. In 2010, along with her 4 man team, Meaghan was inducted into the Emerald Coast Volleyball Hall of Fame and is team captain for what is now the winningest teams in the Open division of the world renowned Fudpucker 4 player tournament with 16 championship appearances and 12 wins in the Women's Open Division. In 2019 Meaghan was inducted into Hall of Fame All Stars for being the winningest player in the tournament's 30 year history.
India Stinson
India Hodges - Coach Indy
Coaching background: 10th season coaching
I am so excited to get to work this season! I am honored to coach with the ECVC family again. Every year brings new friends and new family. Thank you for the opportunity.
Coaching background: 10th season coaching
- 6th season coaching for ECVC
- 2021
- Pounders open 13’s Gold (2nd)
- Gulf Coast Region 13’s Silver Champions (9th place overall)
- Big South Finished 27th out of 84 teams (3-4)
- Spring Fling Foley (3rd in Gold)
- Wavefest (3rd in Gold)
- Jax Jam (3rd in Gold)
- 2020 - Pounders open 12’s Gold
- 2019 - Wavefest 13U Silver Champions
- 2018 - Pounders open 14’s Silver Champions
- 2021
- One season as an assistant at my alma mater Central Baptist College before moving to Florida
- Two seasons at local high schools
- One season with Coach Scott & Meaghan Allen as an assistant at Choctawhatchee
- 2017
- State Champions 2017
- 2017
- One season as the head coach at South Walton High School
- One season with Coach Scott & Meaghan Allen as an assistant at Choctawhatchee
- 3 seasons of travel coaching in Arkansas for Conway Juniors (12’s - 15’s) while in college
Player background:
- Started playing volleyball in 7th grade at my local Junior High
- Club volleyball - Fort Smith Juniors up until 11th grade
-Played at Southside High school where we won a state championship!- State Championship in 2009
- State runner - up in 2010-2011
- Played four years in high school
- Went on to play at Central Baptist College all 4 years
- Captain- 2 years
- Outside hitter
- Now I just play when I get the chance and love coaching this life changing sport!
I am so excited to get to work this season! I am honored to coach with the ECVC family again. Every year brings new friends and new family. Thank you for the opportunity.
cOACH aNGI aNSLEY
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Coach
Angi Ansley graduated from Mosley High School in 1993, where she was a three sport (volleyball, softball, basketball) athlete for the Lady Dolphins and an "All-State" selection for volleyball & softball in her senior seasons. Coach Angi attended Troy University where she played both volleyball and softball for the Lady Trojans. Coach Angi's prep coaching career began with a return to her alma mater (Mosley H.S.) in 2008, where she became a physical education teacher and the varsity assistant & jv head coach for the Lady Dolphin volleyball & softball programs. She assisted in leading the Dolphin volleyball program to a Florida 6A-1 district championship in 2011, and the state playoffs from 2009-2012. Coach Angi's stay at Mosley ended in 2014 after accepting the volleyball head coach position at North Bay Haven Academy. At North Bay Haven she lead her team to a district title and three state playoffs from 2014-2017.+ Coach Angi's club experience includes head coach for Club Fusion Volleyball out of Lynn Haven, FL. from 2008-12. She was head coach for the Fusion 12's, 13's, 14's & 15's age divisions during her time with Club Fusion. From 2013-15, Coach Angi became acting club director and master coach for the Gulf Coast Hurricanes Volleyball Club. During her tenure, she was acting head coach for the Hurricane 12's, 16's, 17's & 18's national teams. In 2015, Coach Angi's 12u national team won the USAV Gulf Coast Regional Championship and automatic bid to the 2015 USAV Junior National Championships held in New Orleans, LA. From 2016-2018 she coached at 850 Elite Volleyball Club where she became GOLD MEDAL CERTIFIED. She coached U13 and U18. Coach Ansley 18’s won OTVA Tournament, Randy Pounders and took the bronze at Big South Atlanta Tournament. Coach Ansley first year with ECVC she coached 12's Nationals. Her team won Randy Pounders Tournament and won a bid to 2021 National Championship in Los Vegas. She is excited to return and ready for another great club season. |
Coach Emersonn Cabatu
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Emersonn is in his fourth season as an Emerald Coast Volleyball Club coach. A member of the Air Force, he recently moved back to Panama City in the Fall of 2015. Previous experience includes recreational college club play, Robins Air Force Base traveling Volleyball team member, and was part of the founding coaching staff for the Warner Robins Junior Olympic Volleyball team. In addition, he looks forward to sharing his multi-year Triathlon and Fitness Coach experience as conditioning additives to his volleyball team.
In 2017, after an 11 year coaching break, he and his wife Shawna were given an opportunity to restart their passion and became Volleyball Coaches for Mowat Middle School. In their first year back they coached the Lady Mustangs to a 9-1 winning season and became the 2017 Bay County Middle School Champions. Last year as a Bay United Elite Volleyball Coach, he assisted in leading the 13U team to medal in 2 out of 7 tournaments. Position specialty: outside/middle hitters, defensive specialist, setter. Private coaching: on request. Coaching philosophy: It's all about developing the WHOLE person and not just the athlete. My primary goal is centered on the character of the player, the fostering of future community leaders, and for them to become a role model of humble confidence. In parallel, I strive to bring out the hidden and maybe overlooked talent of our players on the court with a team/family first mentality. |
Coach Shawna Cabatu
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Coach Shawna has been involved with our Panama City community for the past 5 years. In those years she coached the Mowat Middle School team to win 3 Bay County Championships and finished in the Final Four the remaining years. Shawna is also entering her 4th year with us at ECVC. In her time she’s coached our Grassroots program, the as well as assistant coach U13 National, U14 National (5th of 142 at Sunshine Classic), and last year’s U15 National Team finished 2nd in the Gulf Coast Region Championship, which earned their team a national bid.
Shawna is a Rutherford High School volleyball alum, and continued her volleyball passion and education at Florida State University. While there she completed her B.S. Elementary Education degree, played club, and also served as an intramural volleyball referee. After graduating, she married, began her career as a 3rd grade teacher, coached at the Warner Robins YMCA, and finished as a founding coaching staff for the Warner Robins Junior Olympic Volleyball team. Due to her husband's military moves, she paused her teaching and volleyball lifestyle to pursue a family and also becoming an Online Fitness Coach. She continually incorporates her knowledge of nutrition, conditioning and motivation into her volleyball team. |
Coach Sierra Burris
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Sierra Burris is excited to return to Emerald Coast Volleyball Club for her 4th year. A Panama City native, Burris was a 4-year Varsity letterman, 2-time All County athlete and captain at Bay High. She went on to play for Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. Sierra was trained as a middle blocker but quickly transitioned to the right side as she entered her collegiate career. During her time in Millsaps, she also led many on-campus initiatives that empowered young women--something she is proud to bring into her coaching style.
Upon graduating in 2018, Sierra returned to her alma mater and has now served as head coach at Bay High School for four seasons. In 2020, she brought Bay’s program past districts, something that hadn’t been done since 2007. This year, four out of six of Bay’s seniors are in serious communication with college programs. In spring 2021, Burris stepped onto Gulf Coast State College’s coaching staff and assisted Head Coach Scott Allen as the Commodores placed 6th at the NJCAA DII National Tournament. This Fall, Burris transitioned to a volunteer role at Gulf Coast to accommodate the high school season. Burris takes her role as a lifelong learner very seriously. Certified in Gold Medal Squared, she believes simple principles lead to complex thinking and builds stronger athletes. More than just the X’s and O’s, Burris identifies as a transformational coach as opposed to transactional. Also a member of the Thrive on Challenge coaching community, Burris strives to be a mentor who athletes and parents can rely on. She regularly attends conferences, roundtables, and weekly mentor meetings to be the best coach she can be. Coach Sierra is looking forward to another great season with ECVC! Welcome back Coach Corey Dobridnia! Corey is the Public Information Officer at the Walton County Sheriff's Office. In a previous life, she was the weekend anchor for ABC Affiliate WMBB News13 in Panama City. During the week she worked as a one man band reporter covering Tyndall Air Force Base and Naval Support Activity Panama City. Dobridnia received a volleyball scholarship from Florida Community College at Jacksonville (now Florida State College at Jacksonville) and graduated with an Associate in Arts in Communication. After FCCJ, Dobridnia was a student-athlete at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, graduating with a Bachelor's in Communication before going on to earn a Master's Degree from Florida State University in Corporate and Public Communication. Dobridnia earned First Team All-Conference Honors her senior season at ERAU. Dobridnia has many years of coaching experience in indoor volleyball. She has also played extensively on the beach in Florida and surrounding areas. Corey stepped in as a “floating coach” last season for ECVC where she led various teams to finals appearances in tournaments across the Southeast. Corey also ran our Panama City Beach Sand Training this summer and provided countless private lessons to our athletes throughout the season! Corey was our head 18s Coach for the 2020-2021 Season. Our 18s team saw three members received college scholarships to continue their playing careers. Welcome Back Coach Jake! Beginning his third season with ECVC, is Jake Sutton. He has spent time coaching a 13 National team, assisted Coach Meaghan with the 16 National team, as well as assisting with the clubs grassroots program. He is a Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force, stationed at Tyndall AFB. He has been coaching volleyball for 8 years. He began coaching while stationed in Knoxville, TN at K2 volleyball club. During this time he served in many different coaching capacities. He spent time coaching grassroots teams, teaching kids the fundamentals of volleyball. He also coached a boys team, as well as a 12-year-old travel team. While at K2 he helped the club earn JVA volleyball club of the month in 2016. He is currently the head JV coach for Bay High School, after spending 2 seasons as the assistant volleyball coach at Merritt Brown Middle School. The thing he likes most about volleyball, is how so much translates to the game of life. Not only being able to work with young ladies about the the game of volleyball, but being able to mentor them in other aspects as well. |
Coach Danielle Hayes
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Coach Danielle is a PE/Health teacher at Emerald Coast Middle School in Walton County. Coach Hayes moved to Florida from Pennsylvania in July of 2019. From her hometown of Erie, PA, she graduated from McDowell High School as an all-district, all-region, and all-state middle hitter. During her high school career, McDowell won 4 AAAA district championships in a row, 3 regional titles, and 1 final 4 appearance. She was also selected on the Under Armor All-American Team.
After high school, she went on to accept an athletic scholarship at California University of Pennsylvania. At Cal U, Coach Danielle played as a 4-year starter. She was vice president of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, Volleyball team Captain, 3-time Scholar athlete, 2-time President’s List, helped coach at Pittsburgh Juniors VBC, and worked with the university’s Strength and Conditioning Coach as a work study. During her college career, the team won 1 conference title, 2 second place finishes, 4 NCAA tournament appearances, 1 elite 8 appearance. Coach Danielle was an all-conference, all-region, all-American and NCAA DII All-Tournament selection. Coach Danielle graduated in 2017 with a BS in education. Post Collegiate Career, Coach Danielle continued playing volleyball and trained to play in the overseas professional leagues. She also started coaching with Gold Medal Squared in the summer of 2017. She then secured a contract with a team in the Elitserien (Swedish Volleyball League) and, tore her ACL and had total reconstruction surgery. Post surgery, Coach Danielle went on to teach at Grandview Elementary School and coach at General McLane High School and Club Ashtabula VC. Under Coach Hayes, the 2017 GM volleyball team went on to win their first District title in 6 years. The team went to the final 4 in the PIAA AAA state tournament. The following year, 2018- the team took 2nd at districts. Coach Hayes coached 4 student athletes that now play collegiate volleyball at the NCAA D1 and D2 levels. Coach Danielle's 14 N Club Ashtabula team took 8th place at Ohio Valley Regionals. Along with coaching at ECVC, Coach Danielle coaches for Gold Medal Squared throughout the year and travels around the country working with some of the top coaches in country coaching high school and college student athletes. Coach Danielle Finished the 2021 high school season coaching at Arnold high school. Coach Hayes Coaching Philosophy: “I strive to push student athletes to be the best they can be on and off the court. I value work ethic, discipline, respect, initiative, and relentlessness. My goal is to be able to ignite a light within young women and push their limits so they can accomplish their goals on and off the court. I want their experience playing volleyball to teach them more than just the game. I believe coaching is teaching and I strive to teach life lessons through the context of volleyball. I desire to see student athletes reach their full potential in volleyball and life.” |
Coach Shalyn Nielsen
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A graduate of Fort Walton Beach High School, Shalyn played for the Vikings Volleyball team all four years. Coach Cales is formerly the the Head Coach for Liza Jackson Preparatory School where she led the Lady Lions in the 2013 season to the Okaloosa County Middle School Championship. She is in her seventh season with Emerald Coast Volleyball Club. She coaches one of our younger age divisions along with running our Developmental Program Practices. Shalyn has coached in the 12's, 13's 14's 15's and 16's age groups for ECVC!
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Coach Nakia MCkINNIE
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Nakia Mckinnie is 23 year old former collegiate athlete from Niceville, FL. She has attended Niceville High School and Choctawatchee High School where she played under Coach Scott and Coach Meaghan and earned the title of 2015 MVP during her senior year for the Subway All Star Game. Nakia earned a 4 year scholarship to attend Fayetteville State University (D2) where she was a team leader as well as earned the title of 2016 CIAA Rookie of the Year and Fayetteville State Rookie of the Year (2016-2017). Her collegiate team also won CIAA Championship for the year of 2019. As of 2021, Nakia has recently finished her first season as head coach at Alabama Christian Academy.
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Coach Belle Waldrop
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Belle Waldrop played club volleyball in the panhandle since 2013, she was a stand out high school player during her years at South Walton High School were she helped lead the Seahawks to two final four finishes. Belle was selected as the Northwest Florida Daily News Small School Player of the Year in 2015 and 2016!
Belle went on to play Division I volleyball at Troy State University, where she led her team in 2017 with 289 kills on the season, the most of any player since 2015. Belle has moved back to the area and will be joining ECVC for her first season with the club! |
Coach Reece Rhodes
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Coach Olivia Whittle
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Olivia was born and raised in Panama City! She has played volleyball for 8 years! Three of those years were spent playing on the Varsity team at Mosley High School. Olivia was selected as First Team All County her Junior and Senior Seasons!
Olivia went on to play at Gulf Coast State College under Coach Scott Allen where she was a part of school history, winning back to back Sun Lakes Conference Championships and earning two trips to the NJCAA DII National Championship Tournament where the team finished 10th and 6th in the Nation! Olivia was named the Sun Lakes Conference Championship Tournament "Most Outstanding Player" and earned All Tournament Team honors during her Sophomore Season! Olivia has coached teams for Volley 4 Christ for several years in addition to helping them facilitate camps. She also does private lessons for youth volleyball players in the Panama City Area. Olivia recently returned to her Alma Mater Mosley High School to help out the JV Program when able! Olivia is currently a student at Gulf Coast State College working toward a degree in Business! Olivia says " I am so excited to be a part of ECVC!" We are so excited to have you on board Olivia!! |
Coach Anna MerrilL Goolsby
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Anna Merrill was born and raised in Panama City Beach, Fl and has been playing volleyball for 8 years. She is an ECVC alum who played under both Coach Scott and Coach Meaghan Allen. She was a standout volleyball player at Arnold high school for 4 years, spending three of those years on varsity.
Anna Merrill was selected to Team All County in high school her senior year. After high school Anna Merrill joined the Gulf Coast State College program where she played DS/Libero under Coach Scott Allen for two seasons. During her freshman year at Gulf Coast she was named the NJCAA division II Defensive Player of the Week, she was also named Sunlakes Conference defensive player of the week. She received all conference second team honors during her freshman season and was a member of the 25 Dig Club. Anna Merrill was a part of history at Gulf Coast State College winning the Sun Lakes Conference Championship both her freshmen and sophomore seasons, advancing to the National Championship tournament in both of those seasons and earning a 10th and 6th place finish in the Nation. She currently assists Coach Scott at Gulf Coast in her spare time and is currently attending Gulf Coast State College studying accounting. Coach Anna Merrill says “I am super excited to be apart of the ECVC fam again!” |
