Meet Our Coaches
Melody Fillingim | Club Director
Coach Melody Fillingim has been the club director at SEVC since 2016. Most recently, she spent two seasons as an Assistant Coach at the University of Mobile, where she helped start the beach volleyball program in the 2020-2021 season. She joined the coaching staff at the University of Mobile after coaching the last two years at UMS-Wright Prep School. In her first season with the Bulldogs, she helped her team to double their number of wins, finishing the season with a record of 24-16, and winning the 4A Area Regular Season Champions title. The Bulldogs advanced to the AHSAA Regional Tournament both seasons. In 2017, she was named to the AVCA Thirty under 30 among High School Coaches list. Prior to her stint at UMS, Coach Fillingim coached several years at the college level.
In 2016, Coach Fillingim led the Lady Hawks of Chowan University, an NCAA Division II school in North Carolina, to winning the CIAA Northern Division title. With a record of 22-10, Coach Fillingim coached six All-CIAA Team selections including the CIAA Player of the Year. Her team finished ranked #1 in the NCAA Division II for Total Service Aces.
Prior to Chowan, Coach Fillingim was the head coach at Truett-McConnell University for two years. In her first season at TMU, they doubled their number of wins and broke multiple school records both individual and team. Coach Fillingim also had record winning seasons at Piedmont College and Victory Christian Academy in Lakeland, FL.
Coach Fillingim coached at Club Bomba for three years during her collegiate playing career at the University of Mobile. During her time at Mobile, Coach Fillingim broke several school records, helping her team to win a conference tournament and a trip to the NAIA National Tournament in 2009.
A native of Tallahassee, FL, Coach Fillingim currently resides in Saraland, AL with her husband, Byron. Melody & her husband run All-Star Mortgages, the #1 Mortgage Broker in Saraland, AL. Melody is also a real estate agent with The Agency, where she is a million-dollar producer. Aside from volleyball, Melody has worked in jail ministry for several years, as well as been an ambassador for Out of Darkness, the anti-trafficking ministry of the Atlanta Dream Center. Melody has also been the guest speaker at many events, including several churches and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She has also led worship for FCA camps and church groups, including 212 Mobile. She is currently the worship leader at the Vision Church in Chickasaw, AL.
Ritchie Dulaney | Director of Baldwin County Teams, 14's & 16's Head Coach
A veteran of 34 seasons as a head coach—six years at the University of South Alabama and 28 years at Faulkner State Community College/ Coastal Alabama Community College — Dr. Ritchie Dulaney has guided the Sun Chief volleyball team to 425 wins and 347 losses.
Coach Dulaney is a graduate of McGill-Toolen High School where her volleyball team won the state title three out of four years. She was also a member of the basketball team winning two state titles, the track team winning one state title, and the tennis team. At the University of Missouri, she was a member of the Big 8 All-Conference team in 1981, 1983, and 1985; where in 1983, the University of Missouri was nationally ranked #15. She was named Phi Sigma Theta female athlete of the year in 1982. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia, a master’s degree from the University of South Alabama, and a doctorate degree from the University of Nova Southeastern.
Her first coaching job was at the University of South Alabama where she was named Coach of the Year for the Sun Belt Conference in 1987. She was named Coach of the Year for the ACCC (NJCAA Region 22) in 2010, 2012, and 2013. She was named NJCAA District P Coach of the Year in 2012. In 2012, the volleyball team finished 27-9 and was the ACCC runner-up. The 2012 season marked the first national appearance by Faulkner State.
She is also currently serving as the chairperson of the Health and Physical Education Department.
Alexia Washington | Administration & Assistant Coach
Coach Lexi enters her 7th year at SEVC. She was previously the Head Volleyball Coach at North Mobile Christian and a Volunteer Assistant at the University of Mobile. She also coached at Storm Volleyball Club for one year.
A native of Citronelle, Lexi played high school volleyball for Dana Mason at Citronelle High School. She continued her career playing volleyball for three years at the University of Mobile. Outside of volleyball, Lexi attends Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church where she sings in the choir and helps in other various roles. She also works at an accounting firm in West Mobile.
Sarah Warren | 17's Head Coach
Coach Sarah enters her 3rd year at SEVC. Last season, Sarah coached SEVC’s 16’s team, who remained a top-ranked team in the region throughout the season. Sarah is currently the Assistant Beach Volleyball Coach at the University of Mobile; she is also the Head Coach of the homeschool program that plays in Saraland, AL.
A native of Chelsea, AL, Sarah transferred to the University of Mobile for her final two seasons of collegiate volleyball. In her first season at Mobile, Sarah led the rams to win the SSAC Conference Championship & a trip to the opening round of the NAIA National Tournament. She was a member of the UM inaugural beach program. Sarah transferred to Mobile from Davis and Elkins College, where she was on the President's List (4.0 GPA) and earned MEC Academic All-Conference Team honors. While there, she also set a school record with 9.45 assists per set, 4th all-time in single season history with 841 assists and 4th in MEC in total assists and 5th in assists per set in 2019. Prior to attending D&E, Sarah played at Lawson State CC, where she was named Valedictorian (4.0 GPA). Sarah plans to graduate with a degree in Elementary Education.
Meagan Dobbins | 16's Head Coach
Coach Meagan Dobbins joins the coaching staff at SEVC, after helping with multiple SEVC developmental programs over the past few years. Meagan has been the Head JV Coach and Assistant Varsity Volleyball coach at UMS-Wright since 2017. She has led the Bulldogs to many winning seasons. She has also coached at Storm Volleyball Club for the past several years.
Meagan played four years at Murphy High School before obtaining a scholarship to play at Coastal Alabama Community College, where she was a setter. Meagan graduated from the University of South Alabama in 2016 with her degree in Sports Management.
Valerie Ainsworth | 15's Head Coach
Coach Val is entering her first club season with SEVC, after coaching in our Fall Volleyball League. Val is a graduate of the University of Mobile, where she was a member of the inaugural beach volleyball team. Prior to attending the University of Mobile, Val played at Alma Bryant HS, where she was named Kiwanis Player of the Week and Scholar Student Athlete of the Week. She also played three seasons with Legacy Volleyball Club before obtaining a scholarship to play for Mobile. Val graduated with a 4.0 with her Bachelor's of Science and is currently in the Doctorate of Physical Therapy program at the University of South Alabama.
Amy Jernigan | 13's Head Coach
Coach Amy enters her 2nd year at SEVC. Last season, Coach Amy coached our 14's club team, as well as started our Grassroots program for ages 12 & under. She is also a lead coach for our Fall League. Amy is currently a junior at the University of Mobile, where she is member of the Indoor & Beach Volleyball Programs.
A graduate of Satsuma High School, Amy is majoring in Kinesiology with a focus in Physical Education. She plans to be a teacher and coach after graduating in May of 2024.