coaching staff
The coaching staff at Tartan volleyball is dedicated to creating a positive, safe and competitive environment that all athletes can thrive in.
Meet the coaches
Alyssa Wise (engel)
Head Varsity Coach
Coach Wise is entering into her 6th year as the Varsity Head Coach for Tartan High School. She has coached for the past 14 years throughout the Twin Cities and the Northland. Before coming to Tartan, Alyssa was coaching at the University of Wisconsin - Superior and for the University of Minnesota - Duluth Men's Club team, also while coaching for Northland Volleyball Club. Currently, she is the Coaching Director and a head coach for Tartan Juniors.
Coach Wise lives in Farmington with her husband (Nate), two sons (Charlie & Chase) and her dog (Remmy) and cat (Reba). While she isn't coaching or playing volleyball, she works at her family's restaurant, The House of Coates and enjoys spending time with her family and being outdoors.
Rita girgen
Assistant Varsity Coach
Coach Rita has been coaching for 20 years and entering her 4th season at Tartan High School. She started her Tartan coaching career as the JV Coach and has since stepped into the Varsity Assistant position. Prior to joining Tartan Volleyball, coached at Hastings High School. She brings 11 years of Head Coach experience to the program and 10+ years of Club Director experience from the Junior Olympic Volleyball level. She has coached in the off-season for Hastings Heat and Kokoro Volleyball. Coach Rita has a degree in Exercise and Sports Science and a minor in Coaching. She is also CAP certified through USA Volleyball.
Coach Rita lives in Hastings with the cutest two dogs, Mia & Odie. She works at Vic's Crane and Havy Haul Inc., out of Rosemount, MN. When she has spare time she enjoys being home with her pups and getting together with friends and family.
Shane Wehlage
JV Coach
Ryan Doolittle
B Squad Coach
Eric NOrdstrom
9A Coach
Coach Eric has 4 years of coaching experience, 9B at Tartan Highschool and the 15/16’s team at Tartan Juniors, and has received his Level 1 head coach certification through The Art of Coaching Volleyball. He currently plays on Co-ed teams for both indoor and his favorite position is right side - even though he may not get much higher than the net. He takes a very analytical approach to the game and enjoys teaching the fundamentals and details of the game.
Coach Eric Lives in White Bear Lake and when not coaching is working at 3M as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, leading process improvement projects and volunteers for multiple community outreach groups 3M offers. Outside of Work and coaching he enjoys spending as much time outdoors as possible on home improvement projects, bike rides, hiking and hanging out with friends. He has recently taken up photography and you will frequently see him taking pictures during games.