CCA Boys Volleyball
COACH LARS TORKELSON
COACH LARS TORKELSON
Growing up, I played basketball and soccer for 11 years. It wasn’t until 8th grade where I was introduced into volleyball. Growing up in Chicago, boys’ volleyball wasn’t that popular, so it slipped under my radar until my PE teacher at the time, who was also the coach, told me to try out. After doing so, I realized just how fun it was, and how much I loved to play. It quickly became the sport I cared about the most, eventually stopping all my other sports just so I could focus on playing volleyball in school and for club.
After moving to San Diego, I saw how much bigger the volleyball scene really was. Not just for indoor, but with beach and grass volleyball too. After taking a few years off to focus on my degrees, I was able to get back into playing all around San Diego. I started my career as a math teacher at Pacific Trails Middle School, right next door. Seeing young athletes so dedicated to their sport, and the competitiveness of the clubs and teams and the area, my itch to get back into volleyball grew.
Now through CCA, I have been able to continue my focus on volleyball with coaching. There are many different ways that teaching and coaching are intertwined, and a lot of the lessons carry over. My goal is to create an energized and fun team, while focusing on player accountability and team collaboration. There are many lessons that young athletes can learn through sports, and those morals and learnings continue through their lives.
HOMETOWN: New Lenox, IL
COLLEGE: San Diego State University ‘18
GRADUATE SCHOOL: University of California - Irvine ‘19
Coaching Experience:
CCA Girls JV Assistant Coach
CCA Boys JV Head Coach
PTMS After-School Volleyball Clinics
Playing Experience:
Lincoln-Way Central High School: 2-Year Varsity Player
Ultimate Volleyball Club 2012-2014: Took 10th in 18-Open Nationals in 2014
SDSU Intramurals: 2014-2016
San Diego Grass 4v4 Tournaments: 2023-Present
After moving to San Diego, I saw how much bigger the volleyball scene really was. Not just for indoor, but with beach and grass volleyball too. After taking a few years off to focus on my degrees, I was able to get back into playing all around San Diego. I started my career as a math teacher at Pacific Trails Middle School, right next door. Seeing young athletes so dedicated to their sport, and the competitiveness of the clubs and teams and the area, my itch to get back into volleyball grew.
Now through CCA, I have been able to continue my focus on volleyball with coaching. There are many different ways that teaching and coaching are intertwined, and a lot of the lessons carry over. My goal is to create an energized and fun team, while focusing on player accountability and team collaboration. There are many lessons that young athletes can learn through sports, and those morals and learnings continue through their lives.
HOMETOWN: New Lenox, IL
COLLEGE: San Diego State University ‘18
GRADUATE SCHOOL: University of California - Irvine ‘19
Coaching Experience:
CCA Girls JV Assistant Coach
CCA Boys JV Head Coach
PTMS After-School Volleyball Clinics
Playing Experience:
Lincoln-Way Central High School: 2-Year Varsity Player
Ultimate Volleyball Club 2012-2014: Took 10th in 18-Open Nationals in 2014
SDSU Intramurals: 2014-2016
San Diego Grass 4v4 Tournaments: 2023-Present