Larry Smoot

Larry Smoot began his coaching career at Torrance High School with the boys' volleyball program in 1980. He added the girls' team to his coaching duties in 1984 and led them to national rankings in 1986 (No. 12) and 1987 (No. 10). His girls' program captured the Bay League Championship from 1985 through 1987.

Smoot is currently the Head Coach and Owner of the South Bay Girls' Volleyball Club and has served as head coach for the Torrance Volleyball Club (boys). His South Bay 18-and-under club team has advanced to the Kaepa Festival Tournament Final Four in four of the last 10 years and won the championship in 1993. During the summer of 2006, Smoot coached the South Bay 18-1s to a bronze medal at the American Division Junior National Championships in Atlanta.

He previously led the Torrance club to a second place finish at the USVB Junior Olympics in 1983. Smoot was honored in 1996 with the Distinguished Service Award for Junior Volleyball by the Kaepa Volleyball Festival.

A 1978 graduate of Torrance High School, Smoot was an all-conference volleyball player at El Camino Junior College before playing one season at Long Beach State in 1982. Smoot still competes in men's and co-ed division tournaments. He is a former USVBA All-American in the co-ed division and has won the USVBA co-ed division open championships as a player-coach in 1987 and 1990.

Branden Higa

Currently an assistant coach at Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles, Branden grew up in Lancaster, California and began playing volleyball at age 15. After attending Quartz Hill High School Branden went on to play at Los Angeles Pierce Junior College for two seasons. IN 1994 Branden was named Junior College player of the year. Following his time at Pierce Branden played for three years at Pepperdine University under Marv Dunphy. Branden has since remained involved with volleyball by coaching girls at the club level for South Bay Volleyball Club. Branden also served as an assistant coach for Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN during the Lady Bisons 2005-2006 Campaign.

Additionally, Branden recently served as the primary technical coordinator for production of the volleyball movie "All you Got" by MTV Productions. Known for his positive attitude and willingness to coach new players, Branden has been a valuable addition to the South Bay family.

Branden is available for private lessons!

Kevin Barnett

Kevin Barnett is a 2000 and 2004 Olympian. In Athens, during the 2004 Summer Olympics, Kevin helped lead the US Team to a 4th place finish. Kevin started at outside hitter for the entire 2004 games and was high scorer, netting 20 points, in the quarterfinal five game come from behind thriller against host country Greece. He was a member of the national team for nine seasons earning MVP honors in 1998. Kevin was also privileged to be named USA Volleyball Athlete of the Year for 2004 and nominated for USOC Athlete of the Year for 2004.

Kevin also played 4 seasons overseas for professional clubs in Belgium, Austria and Italy. During that period his teams won Both Belgian championships, both Austrian Championships and a European title.

Kevin attended college at Pepperdine University. Under the tutelage of 1988 Olympic Gold Medal Coach Marv Dunphy, Kevin was a two time All-American and Student Athlete Award winner.

Kevin is currently assisting all levels at South Bay, teaching National Team technique and terminology. In addition, Kevin also runs a series of traveling volleyball camps during the summer months. You can find out more information by visiting the website www.properformancevb.com

Kevin is available for private lessons!