Kimmy Gratton
Coach Kimmy is from Laguna Niguel, where she played at Aliso Niguel HS and Laguna Beach Volleyball Club. Kimmy was the setter on Aliso's first school CIF appearance in 1996. On her club team for Laguna Beach Volleyball Club, she was a middle blocker where they were ranked the #2 16’s team in the nation in 1996.
Kimmy went on to play collegiately at Baylor University 1997-2002. She redshirted her freshman year and then was a starting defensive specialist for 4 years (sadly, libero was added the year after she left). During her time at Baylor, they went to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history in 1999 and again in 2001. Kimmy earned a BA majoring in professional writing and public relations. Later, Kimmy earned her MS in education at University of Memphis in 2005, specializing in sport & leisure commerce.
Kimmy has been coaching for many years and brings a wealth of knowledge and perspective to the game. Besides coaching for us here at 949, Kimmy is a current coach for Dana Hills High School. In the past, she was the Memphis Jrs 17-1 and 14-1 coach. She also was the USYVL site director for 6 seasons.
Why Kimmy loves to coach: “As a (former) college athlete, the daughter of a (former) professional athlete and the mom of two young athletes, I understand just how much a coach can affect a player's life, good or bad. It's personally important to me to guide young women on how to be self-confident and a good teammate, a tough competitor and a classy opponent, to experiment and embrace mistakes, to work hard and have fun while doing it.”