Northern California · 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

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More than volleyball. A movement built by teen girls, for teen girls — elite coaching, real mentorship, mental wellness, and a college roadmap. No girl left on the sidelines because of a zip code, a car, or a checkbook.

Teen
Founded
NORCAL
ELITE
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Our Mission

More than volleyball. A movement.

RIZE started with a group of Northern California high-school players who kept watching teammates walk away from the sport they loved — not because they weren't good enough, but because club volleyball had priced them out. Instead of accepting that, they built the club they wished existed: a 501(c)(3) run by the athletes themselves, funded by sponsors rather than family checkbooks, with no-cut tryouts, need-based scholarships, and mentorship built into every season.

Today that founding board of teen officers still sets the culture, plans the fundraisers, and runs the programs — supported by an adult leadership team and coaches from across NorCal. The promise hasn't changed since day one: if a girl wants to play, cost is never the reason she doesn't.

Our Sponsors

They pay the fees
so the girls don't have to.

Every sponsor dollar goes straight into scholarships, gym time, gear, and tournament entries. Tap a sponsor to see exactly what they power.

Apparel Partner

Lululemon

Outfitting RIZE athletes with training and warm-up gear so no player has to buy her way onto the court.

What you get

This is not just a
volleyball club.

Six pillars, one athlete. Every RIZE season builds the whole player — court, classroom, and character.

Elite Level

Elite on-court training

Train with the best coaches and specialized trainers in Northern California volleyball. Two competitive teams. Real reps. Real development.

Pathways

College pathways

Relationships with college coaches, application story, scholarship landscape — long before junior year.

Leadership Lab

Business & leadership

Real board seats. Real budgets. Real event planning. The kind of experience colleges actually notice.

Logistics

Tournament support

Volunteer parents + coordinated rides. NorCal circuits covered — never miss a game because of a work schedule.

Whole athlete

Wellness & mental health

Healthy mind, healthy body. Open conversations, real confidence — on and off the court.

1-on-1

Personal mentorship

1-on-1 mentorship from coaches, board members, and community leaders. You're not a number here — you're known and invested in.

Life at RIZE

More than a team.
A sisterhood.

Fundraise
Car Wash Fundraiser
Give back
Community Volunteering
We rise together
Season Donation Day
Off the court
The Sisterhood
THE
FOUNDERS
"Every talented girl deserves a seat on the court — not just the girls whose families can afford the politics."

Brhiana Lee

Co-Founder & Board President, age 15

"Your talent is gifted to you and we're here to let everyone express themselves through a sport that they love."
— Devynn Butler, Co-Founder & CMO, age 17
Meet the Team

Teen founders.
Expert-guided leadership.

RIZE is student-founded and run by a board of teen athletes — supported by a dedicated adult leadership team who bring operational expertise, financial oversight, and mentorship.

Founding Teen Board

Together, we can achieve greatness
Brhiana LeeAge 15

Brhiana Lee

President / CEO

Chief Officer of Vision, Strategy & Fundraising

At the end of her freshman year, Brhiana co-founded RIZE with a group of fellow players who were tired of watching talented teammates get priced out of club volleyball. She leads the board's vision, strategy, and fundraising — proving that teenagers can build something that lasts, on and off the court.

Devynn ButlerAge 17

Devynn Butler

Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)

Chief Marketing Officer — Outreach & Donation Drives

Devynn is a 17-year-old varsity volleyball player who co-founded a youth nonprofit to ensure all children can play regardless of their financial status. Balancing school and sport, she handles organizing equipment donations and proving that youth can make a massive impact in their communities.

Kali LomeliAge 16

Kali Lomeli

Chief Officer of Operations

Chief Officer of Communications & Team Culture

Kali is a 16-year-old volleyball player passionate about the sport and helping others. Through volleyball she's learned the value of hard work, teamwork, and leadership — and she's excited to give young athletes the chance to grow, build confidence, and enjoy the game regardless of their financial situation.

Zlata Kolchanova

Zlata Kolchanova

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Chief Financial Officer — Scholarships & Access

Zlata serves as RIZE Volleyball's treasurer and is passionate about making volleyball accessible to everyone. Her own experience of not making her high-school team without the same resources inspired her to help create opportunities for athletes from all backgrounds, especially those from low-income families.

Adult Leadership Team

Mentors · Operators · Guides
Mila Kim

Mila Kim

Founder & CEO

Chief Officer of Operations & Partnerships

Leads club operations, strategic partnerships, and the overall vision for RIZE's growth across Northern California.

Cara Lomeli

Cara Lomeli

Vice President of Operations

Chief Officer of Programs & Mentorship

Guides program development, adult mentorship initiatives, and community relationship building.

Merissa Candelaria

Merissa Candelaria

Vice President of Finance

Chief Officer of Finance & Nonprofit Compliance

Oversees club finances, scholarship fund allocation, and ensures full nonprofit financial transparency.

MK

Michelle Kim

CEO Executive Assistant

Chief of Staff — Executive Operations & Coordination

Supports executive operations, communications, and keeps the leadership team aligned and moving forward.

For Juniors & Seniors

College pathways
built into the season.

RIZE isn't just a club — it's a launchpad. Board seats, public service, and a founder-style project give upperclassmen the documented leadership, verified service hours, and special-talent story admissions committees actually look for.

Board Leadership

Serve on the teen board

Juniors & seniors run RIZE — leading committees, mentoring younger players, and making real decisions. Colleges see documented leadership, not a one-line résumé claim.

Public Service

Verified volunteer hours

Car washes, food-bank drives, donation drop-offs, prevention workshops. Every event is logged, hour-stamped, and signed off for Common App activities & service awards.

Entrepreneurship

Launch a real project

Design a fundraiser, pitch a sponsor, build a mini-business plan. You leave RIZE with a portfolio project — the kind of tangible achievement admissions officers remember.

Special Talent

Athletic recognition

NorCal-level competition, coach recommendation letters, film & stat tracking for recruiting. Volleyball becomes a documented talent — not just a hobby on your application.

What you leave with

An application file
that stands out.

Apply for a board seat
  • Common App activities entries with verifiable leadership roles
  • Signed volunteer hour logs & Presidential Service Award eligibility
  • Coach & mentor recommendation letters
  • A portfolio-ready entrepreneurship / service project
  • Essay material rooted in real community impact
  • College visit + application guidance workshops
2026-27 Season · Northern California

Tournament schedule

Every NCVA Power League weekend, regional bid tournament, and national qualifier we plan to travel to in 2027. Sign up below to lock your spot on the RIZE roster for the events you want.

Sign up for a tournament →
  • NOV 14-15, 2026

    NCVA Power League #1

    San Jose Convention Center

    Power League
  • DEC 12-13, 2026

    NCVA Power League #2

    Santa Clara Convention Center

    Power League
  • JAN 9-10, 2027

    NorCal Kickoff Classic

    Alameda County Fairgrounds · Pleasanton

    Tournament
  • JAN 23-24, 2027

    NCVA Power League #3

    San Jose Convention Center

    Power League
  • FEB 6-7, 2027

    Best of the West

    Reno-Sparks Convention Center · NV

    National Bid
  • FEB 20-21, 2027

    NCVA Power League #4

    Santa Clara Convention Center

    Power League
  • MAR 6-7, 2027

    Bay Area Showdown

    Craneway Pavilion · Richmond

    Tournament
  • MAR 20-21, 2027

    NCVA Power League Finals

    San Jose Convention Center

    Power League
  • APR 3-4, 2027

    NorCal Regional Championships

    Santa Clara Convention Center

    Regionals
  • APR 17-18, 2027

    Golden State Classic

    Cal Expo · Sacramento

    Tournament
  • MAY 1-2, 2027

    Far Western Championships

    Reno-Sparks Convention Center · NV

    National Bid
  • MAY 22-24, 2027

    USAV Girls Junior Nationals Qualifier

    Anaheim Convention Center

    Qualifier
  • JUN 26 - JUL 3, 2027

    USAV Girls Junior Nationals

    Dallas, TX (site TBD)

    Nationals
Reserve your spot

Sign up for a
2027 tournament.

Pick the weekends you want to play. We'll confirm your roster spot, share travel and lodging details, and loop you into the team chat.

  • Rostered players first, tryout invitees after
  • Travel-fee scholarships available on request
  • Confirmation within 3 business days
Tournaments I want to play

A RIZE coach will confirm your roster spots by email within 3 business days.

Season investment

Free

Donations only · no player fees · ever

RIZE is a teen-led nonprofit, so every girl plays for free. Our program is powered entirely by community donations and sponsors — cost is never the reason a talented girl can't play.

  • Full-season training
  • Tournament registration & NorCal competition fees
  • Transportation coordination to practices & games
  • Personal mentorship sessions all season
  • Business & leadership program access
  • College introduction events & application guidance
  • Mental wellness programming & team skills
  • RIZE team gear & uniform
You asked

Frequently asked

Everything families, players, and future sponsors ask us most. Still curious? Drop us a line below.

  • 01Who can try out for RIZE?+
    Any girl in grades 6–12 in the greater NorCal area. We hold no-cut open tryouts — every skill level is welcome, from first-time players to returning club athletes.
  • 02Do I need club experience to join?+
    No. RIZE was built to break the pay-to-play barrier. If you have the heart, we'll teach you the game. Our coaches meet you where you are and build up from there.
  • 03How much does a season cost?+
    Nothing. RIZE is a teen-led nonprofit, so every girl plays for free. The program is funded entirely by community donations and sponsors — cost is never why a girl doesn't play.
  • 04How do scholarships work?+
    Our sponsors fund need-based scholarships. Ask us at orientation or on the sign-up form and our Chief Officer of Scholarships & Access will confidentially walk your family through it.
  • 05Are you really a 501(c)(3) nonprofit?+
    Yes. RIZE Volleyball is a registered 501(c)(3) teen-led nonprofit. All donations are tax-deductible and every dollar goes back into players, coaching, travel, and community programs.
  • 06Who coaches the teams?+
    Elite NorCal club and high-school coaches with tournament-winning résumés — plus a teen board of Chief Officers who run culture, programs, and mentorship alongside the adult staff.
  • 07When and where do you practice?+
    Practices run during the club season at partner gyms in Los Gatos and nearby South Bay locations. Exact schedule is shared at Orientation Weekend (August 8–9, one week after tryouts) once teams are set.
  • 08What if I can't get a ride to practice?+
    Tell us. We coordinate carpools between families and, when needed, sponsor-funded rides. No girl gets left on the sidelines because of transportation.
  • 09Is this just about volleyball?+
    No — that's the point. Every Rizer gets mentorship, mental-wellness programming, a business & leadership curriculum, and a college roadmap with intro events and application guidance.
  • 10How can families, mentors, or sponsors help?+
    Donate, sponsor a scholarship, mentor a player, host a fundraiser, or share our story. Reach out through the form below and we'll match you to a role that fits.

Ready to
RIZE?

Players, parents, mentors, donors — anyone who believes talent shouldn't have a price tag. Reach out and we'll get you started.