PRIVATE LESSONS with DANI

Dani Brinkerhoff's volleyball career started with a simple sibling challenge: her twin sister asked her to try out for the 7th grade team with her. Dani, being a good twin, couldn’t say no. What began as a casual tryout, not caring too much about whatever this volleyball thing was, quickly turned into praying to not get cut. Somehow, she made the team, but it wasn’t until her sophomore year at Star Valley High School that her volleyball career really took off. Dani became a varsity starter, and helped her team win their 4th straight state title, proving that her athletic skills weren't just good for sibling rivalry. Dani was a multi-sport athlete, playing basketball and track. Some highlights in those sports included breaking the school shot put record, as well as being named an All-State high jumper. After high school, Dani earned a full-ride volleyball scholarship to Sheridan College. After a short stint there, she transferred to the University of Wyoming, where she swapped out a volleyball for a degree in Business Administration (don’t worry, she didn’t drop the volleyball entirely). Dani has been as passionate about business as she is about volleyball, even starting her first business as a freshman in high school – because why just pass notes when you can pass out business cards? Dani found her true love in coaching during her college years, when she started coaching club volleyball. That was over 15 years ago. Since then, she’s become a driving force in helping athletes chase their dreams—whether that’s earning a spot on a college team or becoming standouts on their school teams. Dani has coaching experience that covers every level of volleyball, from the 4A to 1A high school scene, and every age from kindergarten on up. As the Club Director for Cloud Peak Volleyball, Dani is now shaping the next generation of volleyball stars, overseeing national teams that travel and compete across the country, all while picking up valuable life lessons along the way. She’s the kind of coach who isn’t just there to perfect your serve; she’s there to teach you how to tackle adversity, bounce back from failure, and maybe even teach you a thing or two about business. But Dani’s not just about coaching others—she’s still playing competitively herself. Dani is a lifelong athlete and competes at the USAV Open National Championships for adults and has no plans of stopping any time soon! When she’s not playing, she’s learning. As the Director of AAU Volleyball for the Wyoming district, and a leader in growing the game of volleyball, Dani attends coaching conventions every season to stay sharp. She makes it a priority to learn from the best of the best, attending Gold Medal Squared and AVCA coaching clinics each year to constantly refine her skills and pass on fresh knowledge to her athletes. Dani’s love for coaching comes from the relationships she builds with athletes, parents, and fellow coaches each season. There's something special about watching athletes hit their goals and celebrate their victories, but it's the deeper life lessons about teamwork and resilience that truly make her job a dream come true. Volleyball, and the lessons it has taught her, have helped her through some of life’s toughest trials, giving her a deeper love of the game and a renewed sense of purpose to help athletes reach their full potential. Dani currently lives in Sheridan, WY with her husband, Ammon, her two daughters Sophia and Kierra, and son Logan.