Lelalelei Nomura
After receiving her Masters in Clinical Counseling in 2019, Coach Lela moved to Sheridan where she is a full-time Licensed Therapist and has been working in the community for over 4 years. She owns her own private practice called The Mind Gym, LLC where she specializes, but not limited to, Sports Counseling.
Volleyball Experience
• Coach Lela found her passion playing volleyball her sophomore year of high school.
• After High School, she received a volleyball scholarship to play NCAA-DII at Valdosta State University, in Georgia. There she was named All-Academic All-West Georgia Team.
• In 2014, she transferred to complete her volleyball career at Chadron State College, in Nebraska. There she was named All-Academic All-Conference Honors and All-Nebraska DII Honorable Mention.
• Coach Lela played Right Side/Middle Blocker and ended her career with over 750 kills, 201 blocks, and 360 digs.
• But wait…she did not end her career there! She is currently on American Samoa's National Volleyball Team, where she was voted as Co-Captain leading her team through the 2023 South Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands.
• In 2019, Coach Lela moved to Sheridan as the Assistant Volleyball Coach for the Sheridan College Generals.
• In 2020, she began coaching at Cloud Peak Volleyball Club, until joining the Blacktooth Volleyball family.
• Coach Lela was the Freshman A team Head Coach at Sheridan High School in 2023. She chose to take her skills to the Junior High Level the following season, and she is currently the 8th Grade B coach at Sheridan Junior High.
Why do I coach?
“I coach because I'm a lifelong student. Volleyball has taught me many things and I continue to learn from it. It's a passion that I'm eager to share with others.”
What do I look forward to teaching my team?
“I believe in building and creating a safe and supportive learning environment to help build the 4 C's in each athlete; confidence, composure, commitment and concentration.”
Why the philosophy of coaching “person first, athlete second” is important to you:
“Things I wish I knew when I started playing:
1. My worth does not come from wins and losses
2. There are more important things in life than being a winner
3. It’s okay to be vulnerable and ask for help”
Other Tidbits
Coach Lela enjoys D&D, cross-stitching, crocheting, painting, diamond painting, paint-by-numbers, reading, golf, traveling, anime, sun-bathing and board games. She is a foodie, thrifter and coffee connoisseur.