Claire D’Amore

Claire D’Amore is the owner and director of Desert Sand Volleyball. She was raised in Torrance, CA where her passion for the beach game originated. Claire attended Northern Arizona University as an indoor volleyball student athlete, earning a bachelor’s of science in health promotions and education in 2004. As an indoor athlete Claire was a two-time All conference first team player, awarded multiple all tournament teams and was an academic scholar award recipient. In 1998, Claire participated in the AAU Junior Olympics in Sydney, Australia as a USA representative , placing 3rd overall.

After college, Claire entered the world of professional beach volleyball. Beginning in New Zealand she won multiple tournaments including the Auckland Open. From there, she competed on the American professional tour (AVP) earning multiple awards, top ten finishes and was consistently one of the top defenders on tour. She also completed for Team USA, winning in Jamaica and El Salvador. In 2010 the AVP fell into a financial hardship and Claire decided to hang up her suit and move to Tucson with her husband Doug D’Amore. Her love and passion as a player was quickly transplanted into a coaching career where she has developed and assisted hundreds of young athletes. Starting with a handful of players in 2011, DSV has trained youth tournament champions, college indoor and beach players, an NCAA Beach champion, and a multiple professional beach athletes.

Claire lives in Oro Valley with her husband Doug, 3 children; Emma, Cooper, Nora and too many pets to keep track!

Certifications: BCAP II Certified | CPR/First Aide | Beach Impact

Austin Hosto

Austin Hosto returns to DSV after spending three seasons at Wichita State University with their Women's Volleyball program. In 2017 Austin assisted the Shockers to an NCAA bid as a regional host in the first round as the 16 seed in the tournament and progressed to the second round of competition in the NCAA tournament. In 2018, Austin assisted WSU to a NIVC tournament bid in which the Shockers moved into the second round of tournament play. In 2017, Austin assisted in training Abby Lehman and Emily Hiebert to the Player of the Year and Setter of the Year awards for the American Athletic Conference in 2017, respectively. In 2018, the WSU libero, Giorgia Civita won the Libero of the Year award in the AAC with Austin being the primary defensive coach. 

 During his time in Wichita, Austin was a Gym Leader for Shockwave Volleyball Academy. In this role, he trained all teams in the club, created practice plans to further the progress of all teams in the club, and was a lead instructor for coaches.

 In addition to his role with Shockwave, Austin was the Director of Curriculum for No Coast Beach Volleyball Club, in which he was responsible for training the entire club of approximately 70 players. He developed training sessions and strategies to develop all players who joined the club and directed the sessions to provide guidance to players and coaches on the tactics of the game.

 Prior to his time in Wichita, Austin was a Volunteer Assistant for the University of Arizona Beach Volleyball program. Austin assisted in coaching and scouting for the Wildcats. He also was an Assistant Coach at Central Arizona College in 2016, assisting in training all aspects of the game and implementing new attacking, blocking, and serving strategies for the program. During this time, Austin served as an assistant coach for Desert Sand Volleyball club and a Master Trainer for SAVA.

Austin performed in the role of the Student Manager for the University of Arizona Beach Volleyball program from its inception in 2012 to his graduation in December of 2015 from the University.

As a player, Austin was a starting Middle and later Outside Hitter for the University of Arizona Men's Volleyball Club team during his time as a Student. Upon graduation, Austin played for Arizona Sizzle as an outside hitter. Austin also went undefeated in the Arizona region in 2015, and assisted his region team to back-to-back region champion titles in 2014 and 2015.

Austin got married in 2019, we are lucky to have such an experienced coach and even better person with our DSV team!

ryan call

Lindsay Baeder

Lindsay is married with 3 kiddos, Drew(7), and twins Ellie (4) and Luke(4). She is originally from California but have lived in Tucson for the past 12, almost 13, years. Lindsay is currently in my 11th year of teaching physical education for elementary students. She played and coached college volleyball at Vanguard University in Newport Beach, California, then moved to AZ in 2006 and begun coaching high school and club volleyball shorty after. Lindsay received the Coach of the Year award her 2nd year as head coach at Mountain View High School in 2010/2011 and 2011/2012. She just LOVES the game of volleyball and enjoys watching kids fall in love with it the same way she has.

Jose Robles

Born in Los Angeles, CA, Jose grew up in Tucson. Jose played four years of volleyball in his high school career at Salpointe Catholic High School. As well as two seasons of club for APV in 2011 and 2012. Jose Finished his club volleyball experience with the Club Cactus 18-1s men’s volleyball team.

Jose began coaching in 2014 starting with Southern Arizona Volleyball Academy. He is going on his 5th year with the club currently coaching their 17s team.

In 2016 Jose became the head coach for the girls program at Walden Grove High School. Jose was given the opportunity in 2018 to coach at Mt. View High School as their Varsity Head Coach. Under his leadership, Mt View was able to secure a bid for playoffs. Jose also been coaching the freshmen boys at Salpointe Catholic High School since 2016. He is starting his first season coaching sand volleyball for DSV.

Makena Ohlmaier

Makena is currently a junior at Lewis and Clark college, and am on the NCAA division 3 indoor volleyball team. She played in every match as either a middle or outside hitter. She began playing volleyball in 6th grade and has loved it ever since. She attended Ironwood Ridge High School, and for club, played with Club Cactus and SAVA, and began club in 7th grade. Makena played with DSV when she was younger & has coached volleyball at my high school's camps, and has coached kids ages 6-17 at her university’s volleyball camp as well. She coached for DSV last summer and fell in love with the sun, the sand, and all of it all over again! Now, she is very excited to be back this summer and coach all of you!

Taylor Shiftlet

Taylor is a Junior at Arizona State University, majoring in Exercise & Wellness with a minor in nutrition and an emphasis in motivational life coaching. She has played volleyball for 8 years, and is now training to eventually compete in bodybuilding. She love kids and is excited to help them grow and develop their skills while having fun in the process!