(LOS ANGELES, CA) JANUARY 23, 2026 – League One Volleyball (LOVB), the largest community in youth volleyball and the nation’s first professional league built from the club up, today announced the appointment of Alfee Reft as head coach of LOVB San Francisco, alongside seasoned sports executive Stephanie Martin as Owner and Team President. Together, the leadership duo will guide the team on and off the court as LOVB builds a strong, community-rooted presence in the Bay Area, bringing professional volleyball to one of the country’s most passionate and deeply connected volleyball regions ahead of the 2026 season.
Reft joins LOVB San Francisco from UCLA, where he spent the past three seasons as head coach of the Bruins’ women’s volleyball program. A former high-level collegiate and professional player, Reft brings firsthand understanding of the demands of the game – experience that has shaped his coaching philosophy and approach to team culture. Known for his ability to build strong, connected programs while driving results, Reft will oversee all on-court performance for LOVB San Francisco as the team prepares for its inaugural season in January 2027.
“I am beyond excited to have Alfee as the head coach of LOVB San Francisco. He has experienced this game at the highest level - as both a player and a coach - and I have immense trust in his vision for how to develop, train, and lead a team to success,” said Kelsey Cook, LOVB San Francisco Owner, who played under Reft on the U.S. National Team. “Alfee has always been someone I can lean on, both on and off the court, and someone every player can connect with on a human level. He couldn’t be a more perfect fit for this team.”
With more than 12 years of experience with the U.S. National Team as both a player and coach, Reft brings a deep background in high-performance volleyball and a reputation for athlete-centered leadership, player development, and competitive excellence. His international résumé includes serving on Karch Kiraly’s coaching staff for the U.S. Women’s National Team, culminating in a silver medal at the 2024 Olympic Games.
“LOVB has signed a phenomenal human being and coach in Alfee. What a fantastic hire to lead LOVB San Francisco’s coaching staff,” said Karch Kiraly, volleyball legend, Olympic gold medalist and championship-winning coach. “His integrity, skill and care are truly off the charts. Above all, his unwavering dedication to the wellbeing and development of every person he coaches sets him apart.”
In addition to Reft’s appointment, LOVB announced that its Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Stephanie Martin is joining the LOVB San Francisco ownership group and will serve as Team President. Martin will oversee all business operations for the team, playing a central role in building LOVB San Francisco from the ground up. With a focus on long-term growth, fan engagement, and athlete experience on and off the court, Martin will help shape the foundation of the team in the Bay Area.
“Stephanie is exactly the kind of leader we want for LOVB pro teams,” said Rosie Spaulding, LOVB Pro President. “She brings a clear vision, deep understanding of our league, and a strong track record of building sports properties with intention and care. Her ability to connect strategy, storytelling, and community will be instrumental in building a team that reflects the Bay Area and resonates deeply with its fans.”
Martin brings more than 25 years of executive and C-suite experience across communications, brand, marketing, and live event production, with a career spanning Fortune 500 companies including Meta (formerly Facebook), The Home Depot, and Albertsons, as well as some of the world’s largest sporting events hosted in the Bay Area, including Super Bowl 50, the 34th America’s Cup, and the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens.
“We could not be more excited to welcome Stephanie into the LOVB San Francisco ownership group. She is the exactly the kind of leader you want building a team in a market like the Bay Area,” said Jes Wolfe, executive chair for LOVB San Francisco. “With her leadership, experience, and deep love for this region, she understands what it takes to build a team worthy of these fans, one that reflects the region’s passion for women’s sports, delivers a world-class experience and sets the foundation for the next great Bay Area sports team.”
As the founding Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for LOVB’s ecosystem, she built the foundation for the league’s award-winning marketing, social, content, and creative efforts – shaping how LOVB shows up, tells its story, and connects with fans. With deep professional roots in the region, Martin will apply her experience building brands, organizations, and community to help build LOVB San Francisco from the ground up, shaping the team’s business foundation and long-term growth strategy while championing the growth of volleyball throughout the Bay Area.
“I’ve spent much of my career in the Bay Area, and the opportunity to help build a team that can benefit the entire region is incredibly meaningful to me,” said Martin. “This is about celebrating the volleyball community that already exists, welcoming new fans into the sport, and being part of a region that champions women’s sports like no other. Just as importantly, we want to create an incredible experience for our athletes, one that supports them, challenges them, and allows them to thrive on and off the court. With Alfee leading our team on the court, and the support of our incredible ownership, we’re excited to build something truly special together in the Bay Area.”
Reft echoed the excitement about the opportunity to help shape the club from the ground up.
“Being part of LOVB San Francisco at this stage is incredibly exciting,” said Reft. “The Bay Area is one of the most vibrant and diverse volleyball communities in the country, with a deep history of the sport and a culture that values innovation, inclusion, and excellence. I’m excited to work with Stephanie and our ownership group to build a competitive, connected, and athlete-driven team that reflects this community, celebrates the region’s rich volleyball roots, and creates something that Bay Area fans can truly rally around.”
With Reft and Martin at the helm, LOVB San Francisco is poised to become a premier destination for elite athletes and passionate fans alike, further strengthening League One Volleyball’s mission to elevate the sport across every level of the game.
“Alfee is an exceptional coach and leader who understands how to build winning programs while putting athletes first. His vision for the game, commitment to development, and passion for growing volleyball make him the perfect choice to lead LOVB San Francisco,” said Spaulding. “Pairing that with Stephanie’s leadership and long-term commitment to the community gives this team an incredibly strong foundation.”
For more information about LOVB San Francisco, please visit: www.lovbsf.com.
About LOVB
Founded in 2020, LOVB’s mission is to reimagine the future of volleyball. With a unique community up approach, LOVB is one holistic ecosystem - from club to pro. The largest community of youth clubs in the country, LOVB launched the first serve of its pro league in January 2025, featuring some of the very best players in the world including American silver medalists and players from the last Olympics. For more information on LOVB as it embarks on its second season, its clubs, and its professional teams in Atlanta, Austin, Houston, Madison, Nebraska, Salt Lake, and soon to be Los Angeles, Minnesota and San Francisco, please visit www.lovb.com or on social channels like Instagram.
