Rise to Greatness
We specialize in growing elite volleyball players and Leaders on and off the court.
Leadership & Coaching Team
Welcome to Driven Dragons Volleyball Academy! Led by Jaime Lizarazu, our visionary Founder & CEO, Christian Lizarazu, our innovative CTO & People Success Director, and Rob Smith, our inspiring Mentor & Director of Recruitment, we’re building something extraordinary. Our mission is to develop athletes into elite volleyball players, igniting a spark for the sport that fuels a lifelong passion. We are committed to nurturing confident leaders who excel both on the court and in their communities. By recruiting and retaining passionate coaches with a teacher’s heart and a deep love for volleyball, we create an environment where athletes grow, progress, and thrive.
Join us on this thrilling journey to elevate skills, inspire growth, and empower the next generation of volleyball stars and leaders!
Leadership Team
Coach Jaime Bio Coach Jaime Lizarazu, the driving force behind Driven Dragons Volleyball Academy, is a visionary leader with an unmatched passion for volleyball and an unrelenting commitment to excellence. With over 20 years of experience in quality and continuous improvement, Jaime has transitioned her career from refining the highest quality IT systems to manufacture life-saving drugs to applying those same skills to build the most sought-after, high-quality volleyball training academy. Her mission is clear: to deliver the world’s premier volleyball training experience by refining the academy’s program year after year, implementing the latest cutting-edge training techniques, and hand-selecting and retaining the best coaches—each with competitive playing and or coaching experience through clubs and/or college at Division I, II, or III universities and coaching expertise honed in university, club, or school settings, continually refining their skills. Jaime’s volleyball journey began as a high school freshman when she was recruited for Club Volleyball, training for four years under Villanova’s esteemed coaching staff. Her talent and tenacity earned her walk-on spots at Drexel and Temple Universities, both Division I programs, where she honed her skills and deepened her love for the game. A dynamic beach volleyball player, Jaime shares her passion with her husband and children, creating lasting family memories on the sand. A Drexel University graduate, Jaime’s pursuit of quality extended beyond the court into her professional career as an IT Quality Engineer. She spent two impactful years in Switzerland validating pharmaceutical systems that produce life-saving medicines, sharpening her expertise in precision and continuous improvement. This same drive fuels her work at Driven Dragons, where she has built a legacy of excellence. Starting her coaching career at Cheltenham High School, Jaime now leads the academy’s staff with a focus on training coaches to inspire and elevate their athletes. Her hands-on approach ensures every coach embodies her commitment to quality, fostering a culture of passion, respect, and empowerment. Jaime’s specialty lies in her ability to create a program that evolves annually, incorporating the latest volleyball methodologies and cultivating a coaching staff that is second to none. Parents and athletes can trust that under Jaime’s leadership, Driven Dragons Volleyball Academy delivers an unparalleled experience, designed to unlock every player’s potential and ignite a lifelong spark for the sport. Join Jaime and her team to experience volleyball training at its finest, led by a coach who lives and breathes excellence. Key Accomplishments Over 20 years of experience in quality and continuous improvement, transitioned from IT systems for life-saving pharmaceuticals to building the most sought-after volleyball training academy. Selected as a walk-on volleyball player at Drexel and Temple Universities, Division I schools, after excelling in Club Volleyball under Villanova’s coaching staff. Played doubles beach volleyball with family, passing her passion for the sport to the next generation. Contributed to global healthcare by validating pharmaceutical systems in Switzerland for two years, honing expertise in precision and quality. Leads Driven Dragons Volleyball Academy, continuously refining the program, training top-tier coaches, and implementing cutting-edge techniques to deliver the world’s best volleyball training experience.
Coach Smith Bio: Smith served as head coach for the women's volleyball program at Immaculata University, completing his first season in the fall of 2018 with a 5-17 record and qualifying for the inaugural Atlantic East Conference tournament. He secured his first career win as a head coach in the season-opener at Cairn (8/31) and led the Mighty Macs to the program's first-ever Atlantic East victory over Gwynedd Mercy (10/24), clinching a spot in the conference tournament. In his second season at Immaculata in 2019, Smith guided the Macs to another 5-17 record while achieving improvements in several statistical categories. The team finished second in the Atlantic East in opponents' hitting percentage (.160) and led the league in opponents' assists per game (8.42). Under Smith's mentorship, Natalie Dependahl ranked eighth in the Atlantic East with 2.39 kills per set, and McKenna Ryan ranked sixth in the conference with 4.07 digs per set. Prior to Immaculata, Smith brought extensive coaching experience from his six-year tenure as the head girls' volleyball coach at Sparks Volleyball Club in West Chester, Pa. He also served as co-director and head coach of the Sparks Volleyball Beach Volleyball Club, coaching girls aged 13 through 18. During his time with Sparks, Smith coached for four seasons as the head girls' volleyball coach at Kennett High School (2013-16) and worked as a court coach and player evaluator with USAV High Performance in 2015. Smith earned his Level III AAU Positive Coaching Alliance and Coaching Accreditation Program (CAP) II certifications in 2017 and held USAV Indoor and Beach IMPACT certifications. As an official, he was a Professional Association of Volleyball Officials (PAVO) and PIAA certified official, having officiated NCAA men's and women's matches for two years. A member of USA Volleyball since 1995, Smith played for the men's club team at West Chester University for three seasons. Smith now brings his wealth of experience to Driven Dragons Volleyball Academy, where he currently serves as the Director of Recruiting, Head Coach, and Mentor continuing to inspire and develop young athletes.
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Coach Christian Bio Coach Christian, head coach and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Driven Dragons Volleyball Academy, began coaching in 2018, inspired by his wife and a desire to teach his daughter new skills. As CTO, he has revolutionized the academy’s operations by implementing TeamSnap for seamless scheduling, registrations, and communication, enhancing efficiency for coaches, players, and families. He also secured transformative partnerships with Balltime.ai and Hudl, equipping athletes with AI-powered video analytics and highlight tools to elevate player development and recruitment. Additionally, Christian serves as a vital floater coach, stepping in with expertise and enthusiasm to support other coaches during absences, ensuring consistent, high-quality training for all teams. Key Accomplishments Coached our Pilot and Regional teams to tournament victories, fosters confidence and teamwork. Developed players into skilled athletes and confident leaders on and off the court. Implemented TeamSnap to streamline academy operations and improve communication. Forged partnerships with Balltime.ai and Hudl, empowering athletes with professional-grade analytics and recruiting tools.
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Welcome to our outstanding team of coaches, devoted to creating an unmatched club experience for your athlete! Our coaches are wholeheartedly committed to every player, expertly honing their on-court skills to build elite volleyball players while fostering leadership qualities that excel both on and off the court. Join us in sparking a passion for the game and shaping strong, confident, elite athletes and leaders!
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