Ryan Shaw
I’m Ryan Shaw, and I’m incredibly passionate about the game of beach volleyball. I believe in thinking outside the box and incorporating strategies from different disciplines to continuously sharpen and enhance the game. What I love most about coaching is witnessing the growth of my players—especially when they overcome challenges and adversity to succeed. My goal is to give them the right queues and guidance and then allow them to space to overcome failure, so they emerge stronger.
Coaching, like any discipline, is a continuous learning process. I enjoy meeting and connecting with professionals at the highest level, as these experiences allow for the serendipitous exchange of ideas that ultimately help me grow as a coach and create better experiences for my players.
My Story
Ryan Shaw is a local Bay Area native with a deep passion for volleyball. He attended Bellarmine College Preparatory, where he was on the varsity volleyball team and led them to a CCS volleyball championship. Ryan played for Bay to Bay Volleyball Club, winning the 17-1 National Open Championship team as a setter. After gaining valuable experience as a player, he returned to Bay to Bay as a head coach, overseeing the 12s, 14s, 16s, and 18s age groups, winning various podium finishes.
Ryan continued his academic and athletic journey at the University of Southern California (USC), where he earned both his undergraduate degree and a Master’s in Computer Science. During his time at USC, he served as a Graduate Assistant for both the USC Beach Volleyball D1 program—where the team won a national championship—and the USC Women's Indoor Volleyball program.
Throughout his career, Ryan has trained with gold medal Olympians April Ross and Alix Klineman, gaining invaluable insights into the elite level of the sport. In addition to his coaching and playing experience,
Outside of volleyball, Ryan is an avid skier and chess player, constantly honing his strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
