Coach Nev
Founder & Director | Head Coach
D1 All-American Setter | UAB Alum | BA Psychology, MA Clinical Nutrition
Coach Nev’s journey is a true American Dream — one built on perseverance, passion, and purpose.
Born and raised in Belgrade, Serbia, Nevena “Nev” Stefanov discovered volleyball at the age of 8 in a country with both a rich volleyball tradition and a turbulent history. Despite the challenges of growing up during a civil war, she thrived through relentless work ethic and the support of outstanding coaches. By age 14, she earned a spot on the Serbian National Youth Team, helping lead them to a Balkan Championship victory.
At 18, with just two duffle bags and a dream, Nev moved to the United States after receiving a full athletic scholarship to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). With minimal English and maximum determination, she quickly rose to prominence as a Division I setter, earning top honors including:
NCAA D1 All-American Honorable Mention (2018)
Conference USA Setter of the Year (2018)
Post-Eligibility Scholarship Recipient for Excellence On and Off the Court
Coach Nev holds a BA in Psychology and an MA in Clinical Nutrition/Dietetics from UAB — a reflection of her belief in the total athlete: mind, body, and spirit.
After college, she transitioned into coaching through UAB summer camps, where she discovered her true calling: mentoring young athletes and building confidence through sport. That calling led her to found Blockout Academy, grounded in the core belief that a great coach changes lives — not just skillsets.
Coach Nev’s Philosophy:
“A coach’s job is bigger than wins and losses. It’s about shaping people — teaching work ethic, resilience, confidence, and respect. Athletes should walk away stronger in mind and body. If I had to be described in one sentence: Dream Big. Work Hard.”
Coach Cam
Performance Coach | Strength & Conditioning Specialist
BOA Performance Staff | 10+ Years of Experience
Coach Cam brings over a decade of experience in strength and conditioning, working with athletes across high school, collegiate, and private training environments. He holds a Master’s Degree in Human Performance and maintains multiple certifications in the field of athletic development.
Cam specializes in athletic performance and return-to-play protocols for overhead and rotational athletes — including volleyball, tennis, and softball — and has also produced results with endurance athletes looking to elevate their output and recovery. His approach blends science, strategy, and individualized programming, helping athletes gain an edge while staying strong, healthy, and resilient.
Whether in the weight room or during on-court conditioning, Coach Cam’s presence is all about intentional movement, injury prevention, and long-term athlete development.
Coach Mekaila
15U Travel – Head Coach
BOA Coach | 7 Years with BOA | Full-Time Staff
Coach Mekaila was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, where her passion for sports began early. A dual-sport athlete throughout high school, she excelled in both volleyball and basketball, earning MVP honors her junior and senior years before going on to play collegiate volleyball on scholarship.
She began coaching at Blockout Academy during her senior year of high school, and that initial spark has grown into a full-time commitment to developing young athletes. Now entering her 7th season with BOA, Coach Mekaila brings unmatched energy, insight, and patience to everything she does — both on and off the court.
This season, she leads our 15U Travel Team, where she continues to inspire athletes with her purpose-driven coaching style. Her inquisitive nature, deep care for her players, and love for the game make her one of our most beloved and impactful coaches.
Coach Mekaila’s Philosophy:
“My philosophy is to focus on both volleyball skill development and character growth. I love teaching the game in a way that athletes can truly understand and begin to think for themselves on the court. I enjoy watching the girls grow — both individually and as a team — throughout the season. My favorite part of coaching is helping athletes reach their goals and guiding them to the next level.”
Coach Morgan
Libero Specialist | Brand Ambassador | 14U Travel Team Head Coach
Coach Morgan was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, where her volleyball journey began in the 2nd grade. A proud graduate of Pelham High School, she played a pivotal role in leading her team to the 2018 Volleyball State Championship. Throughout her career, Morgan played nearly every position on the court before finding her true calling as a libero/defensive specialist — a role she is deeply passionate about both playing and coaching.
She trained with Coach Nev from ages 11–15 and has remained closely connected to the volleyball world ever since. While studying Biomedical Sciences at UAB, with minors in Chemistry and Spanish, Morgan competed on the UAB Club Team, assisted the UAB Women’s Volleyball Program, and helped coach local club and rec teams. Most recently, she led the Homewood Rec League, bringing energy, precision, and care to every athlete she coached.
Morgan joined Blockout to pour into the next generation of players — and now steps into a key leadership role as Head Coach of our 14U Travel Team. Her coaching style emphasizes excellence, athlete empowerment, and accountability, extending far beyond the volleyball court. Off the court, she brings the same discipline to her work in the UAB Emergency Room and her current training for a bodybuilding competition — showing athletes what it means to commit with no excuses.
Coach Morgan’s Philosophy:
“I believe every athlete has the potential to thrive when they’re supported, challenged, and truly seen. My goal is to help players grow not just in their skills, but in their confidence, discipline, and love for the game — because how we show up on the court translates to how we show up in life.”