(March 19) Marysville, CA – It’s because of Yuba College’s summer volleyball camp that Kellie Tongson fell in love with the sport. During the Thea Post era (volleyball coach from 1986-2005), it was Tongson’s impressionable experience as a young camper that kicked off a playing career that ultimately led to coaching.
“That was a big piece of our summers,” Tongson said. “Me, my friends, my sisters, we loved it and looked forward to it. It makes me emotional just thinking about it…being able to bring that back to our community.”
In a full circle moment, with the approval of the Yuba College Board of Trustees on March 13, Tongson was appointed the women’s volleyball coach for the 49ers.
“This will be a new experience being at the college level, but I think she’s really going to enjoy working with the older athletes and taking them to another level with their skillset,” said Yuba College Athletic Director Erick Burns.
Coaching at the college level wasn’t on Tongson’s radar. As the River Valley High School and a club coach for a top 18s team, Tongson enjoys youth development, fundamentals and seeing their growth. But she started to notice a trend: her graduating players weren’t staying local. In fact, a couple of years ago, her entire roster of 12 all went on to play in college, but no one went to Yuba College, the most local option. Tongson wants to change that.
“I know that not everyone can afford to go away for college,” Tongson said. “I want them to be able to play and not feel like they have to commute so they can play. I guess it’s filling that need and
rebuilding. Thea left a legacy and that’s super important to me.”
Tongson is building a local legacy of her own. She became involved, as both a player and a coach, with Yuba Elite Volleyball Club, a local competitive volleyball league. With no home base, gym space was rented from Yuba College or local schools, which occasionally led to canceled practices due to school events taking precedence.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Tongson zeroed in on facility ownership. In 2022, she opened the Yuba Elite Sports Facility in Yuba City, creating a home court for her volleyball club along with creating opportunities for the community to enjoy, including youth and adult recreation leagues and fitness training.
As part of the club’s academy program, Tongson’s system is teaching 130 kids ranging from seven-years-old to teens, volleyball fundamentals in preparation for the junior high level and beyond.
“It’s led to some really good improvements in our club and our high school volleyball as well,” Tongson said.
Tongson prides herself in building a good culture and community within her programs, emphasizing to the young players to be good people first, then good athletes. If they play for Yuba Elite, they’re expected to meet a certain standard; a standard Tongson will carry to the college level.
“We talk about having integrity, doing the right thing when no one is watching, being kind and being good daughters,” she said.
Burns looks forward to having Tongson’s positive energy in the Yuba College program.
“She’s very organized and energetic and has a vision for the direction of the program,” he said.
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Lauren McDermott
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About Yuba College:
Founded in 1927, Yuba College is committed to providing equitable student learning and success in the Yuba-Sutter region. We offer more than 67 degree and certificate programs that lead to career and transfer opportunities, serving our diverse communities with innovative and student-centered educational opportunities. Our vision is to empower students to become transformative and productive members of our communities. Yuba College has been recognized for its high transfer rates to UCs and CSUs and for providing highly relevant career and technical education, including top-tier programs in Health and Medical Careers, Public Safety, Applied Technology and beyond. For more information, visit https://yc.yccd.edu/.