WE LOVE TO WORK &
WE LOVE WHERE WE WORK
Matchbox Recreation Center is a locally-owned private athletic facility equipped with gym, concession stand, eatery, and offices. Come play volleyball, indoor soccer, Pickleball, and more in our brand-new facility. The facility is home to Matchbox Volleyball Club, one of the largest volleyball clubs in South Dakota, as well as camps, clinics, private lessons, and tournaments for a variety of indoor athletic programs. Matchbox Recreation Center also serves as headquarters for the Hub City Soccer Program, an Aberdeen-based soccer organization that offers leagues to players of all ages and abilities.
WHY THE NAME MATCHBOX?
Because the facility is a “box” where “matches” are played. Don’t overthink it.
P.S. No, it’s not a franchise. Locally owned & operated. Think of it like a mom & pop restaurant, but instead of serving hot beef combos, we serve volleyballs.
CONTACT US
Matchbox Recreation Center
110 Centennial Street
Aberdeen, SD 57401
Phone: 605.725.8723
Email: info@matchboxrec.com
Alexz graduated from Dakota State University, a nationally recognized technology institution, with degrees in both Professional Accountancy and Business Management. She also earned her Master’s Degree of Education in Sport Performance and Leadership from Northern State University in 2016.
Alexz has coached club volleyball for the last 14 years, most recently serving as a head coach and club director for Matchbox Volleyball Club. In addition to club coaching experience, Alexz has coached 10 seasons of high school volleyball including an eight-year tenure on the Northwestern High School coaching staff. Alexz specializes working with front-row players focusing on attacking, blocking, and offensive strategies.
- 2020 South Dakota Class B Volleyball Champions
- 2019 South Dakota Class B Volleyball Undefeated Champions
- 2019 1-Million Cups Presenter, Aberdeen, SD
- 2019 Aberdeen Abby Award Nominee, Matchbox Recreation Center
- 2018 South Dakota Class B Volleyball Runner’s Up Champions
- 2018 South Dakota Future 40 Elite Volleyball Event Featured Coach
- AVCA 2017 Thirty Under 30 Award Recipient
- 2017 South Dakota Assistant Coach of the Year
- 2017 South Dakota Class B Volleyball State Champions
- 2016 South Dakota Assistant Coach of the Year
- 2016 South Dakota Class B Volleyball State Champions
- IMPACT Certified
- American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Member
- South Dakota Volleyball Coaches Association (SDVBCA) Member
- USA Volleyball (USAV) Member
- Junior Volleyball Association (JVA) Member
- Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Member
TRAIN WITH THE BEST
HAYLEY SWENSON
- Lead Club Coach
- Winter Team Coach
- Premier Team Coach
- Fundraising Coordinator
- Youth Program Coach
- Private Lesson Coach
Hayley Swenson is the Program Director at Matchbox. Hayley served as the assistant coach at Presentation College (PC) from 2017-2021. During her time at PC she helped them to 67 wins and 4 conference tournament bids. Hayley, who is also an alumna of PC with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and minors in Coaching and Health and Wellness, was part of the PC volleyball program for two years after transferring from JUCO Central Lakes College in Brainerd, MN. Throughout her collegiate career she was named All Conference First Team her freshman year and All-Conference Second team her sophomore year. Prior to her tenure at PC, Hayley was the assistant coach at Warner High School and a club coach in the Brainerd, MN and Groton, SD club volleyball programs.
“I ate shark without knowing it…. Just thought it was a piece of fish!”
“Twix bar! They are my favorite.”
MORGAN SCHULTZ
- Club Lead Coach
- Winter Team Coach
- Regional Team Coach
- Defensive Specialist Lead Coach
Morgan Schultz is currently in her third year coaching at Matchbox and was the head coach at Lyndon High School in 2018 in addition to several years of club coaching experience. In years 2009 through 2012, Schultz played DS/Libero at the University of Kansas, where she was named Academic All-Big 12 Conference Second Team two years in a row (2010, 2011) and tied the Horejsi Family Athletics Center ace record with six service aces (2010). In high school, Schultz was a 3-time all-conference pick and was selected to the all-state team twice. In her club coaching career, Schultz lead her team to a second-place finish at the Junior Olympic National Tournament in 2014.
“I am a certified scuba diver, and I have been sky diving.”
“I am a huge fan of all things Chip and Joanna Gaines!”
NORA GROFT
- Club Lead Coach
- Premier Team Coach
Nora Groft has served on the coaching staff at Northwestern High School since 1996. Throughout Groft’s 21-year coaching career she has led the Northwestern Wildcats to 17 state tournament appearances including 12 State Class B Championships (1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2011, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020). Groft was named Aberdeen American News Volleyball Coach of the Year (2016), South Dakota Volleyball Coach of the Year (2006), Region I Volleyball Coach of the Year 6 TIMES (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2016, 2017) and AVCA Region 7 Coach of the Year in 2019 and 2020. Groft is also a NFHS National Coach of the Year finalist which will be announced in Summer of 2018.
“Part Scout Finch, part Amanda Whurlitzer.”
“The female superhero who possesses intelligence, strength, character, and a full set of clothes—oh wait, that hasn’t happened yet.”
-Jamie Vollmer
DOUG DUNCAN
- Club Lead Coach
- Winter Team Coach
- Local Team Coach
Coach Doug Duncan coached 11 years at Northwestern High School, where he was awarded Middle School Volleyball Coach of the Year and Assistant Volleyball Coach of the Year MULTIPLE times. Doug is currently the assistant volleyball coach at Ipswich High School. Coach Duncan has continued to serve the volleyball community in many aspects including coaching club volleyball for the past TEN seasons. Coach Duncan has a knack for sharing his love of volleyball with players of all ages and skillsets. Come watch one of his practice sessions…you will be entertained. #MatchboxMVP
“Life in the C-team Gym: Memoirs of an Assistant Coach” (Already working on it)
“The Butter Battle Book- Scaaary….Also, Yertle the Turtle (I am Mack)”
ELISSA REPPE
- Lead Club Coach
- Matchbox 10s Coach
Elissa Reppe has served on the coaching staff at Northwestern High School for 10 years and played volleyball there throughout high school. She has also coached the Matchbox 10s team for two years. During her coaching career, Reppe has received the AVCA 30 Under 30 Award (2016) and Middle School Coach of the Year FOUR TIMES IN A ROW (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019). Reppe lives on a ranch near Conde, SD with her husband, Adam, and her three children, Carson, Clayton, and Adalynn.
“Moana. She is fearless. She is willing to sacrifice everything for her family and people. She takes on challenges without hesitation and has the ocean on her side (side note: the ocean terrifies me). And she gets to sing all day long and hang out with a big, tough guy that can shape shift into any animal he wants.“
“The complete soundtrack to the Greatest Showman, Frozen, and Moana as well as all the Veggie Tale songs and pretty much all 90s Country: Diamond Rio, Shania, Faith, and Garth…YES PLEASE!”
LAURA BABCOCK
- Regional Team Coach
- Winter Team Coach
- Lead Summer Coach
- Youth Program Coach
- Private Lesson Coach
Laura Babcock is an alum of Aberdeen Central High School and now on the Presentation College volleyball team. Laura earned a plethora of awards during her time at CHS including 2017 All-Star Selection, 2017 All-Conference Team (ESD), two-time Spirit of the Eagle Award, and 2015 Rookie of the Year. She will be entering into her senior season at PC this fall. Throughout her college career she has accumulated 1,783 digs and 111 aces. She has been named North Star Player of the week 4 times, placed on both All-Conference 1st team (2020) and 2nd team (2021) and also named AVCA NAIA All-Region Honorable Mention. Laura has been coaching with Matchbox since 2018.
“The Office (seen it 7 times and counting) and Grey’s Anatomy!”
MALLORI JONES
- Lead Practice Coach
- Private Lesson Coach
Mallori (Rabenberg) Jones graduated from Britton High School and played four years at Presentation College as an Outside Hitter/Libero. Mallori has coached four seasons of club volleyball.
“(I’m a pretty picky eater so this one is lame) purple potatoes.”
“I want to swim in every ocean.”
HALEY GRANDPRE
- Lead Club Coach
- Premier Team Coach
- Private Lesson Coach
- Youth Program Coach
Haley Grandpre has been in the wonderful world of volleyball for over 7 years now, both playing and coaching. Grandpre spent her middle school and high school years playing volleyball at Northwestern Area School and club through the Northeast South Dakota Junior Olympics program. Throughout her playing career, Grandpre was extremely flexible and open to new ideas, playing anywhere her coach would put her: setter, outside hitter, right-side hitter, and eventually middle hitter. Her love of volleyball radiates to the people she coaches and plays with, and she looks forward passing on her wisdom to her young volleyball players!
“When I am not at school or work, I like to spend most of my time running after my sisters, as they are very active in their high school sports. I also like to spend time with family and friends, watch Friends on Netflix, and try hard not to spend all my money with online shopping. Oh, and when I am not doing all of this other stuff, I get to nanny the cutest boy in the world (Coach Smith’s son!!).“
“I really want to go to New York and attend the Time Square New Year’s Eve ball dropping!”