About Project Beach Utah
Utah's first Adult and Youth Beach Volleyball Organization
Our Mission
Project Beach Utah is a Professional Beach Volleyball Organization focused on the creation of professional women's and men's teams in Utah, a pipeline that helps grow beach volleyball in Utah, camps and clinics that deliver quality and high level training, and the opportunity to back local Utah teams at the highest levels of beach volleyball.
Beach volleyball is an extremely underfunded sport. Most athletes who pursue it are required to have a second job in order to make ends meet and pay coaching and training fees. The few players at the top are the only ones able to pursue volleyball full-time.
PBU aims to develop more players to reach the highest level of competition, the Olympics. Our vision involves cultivating multiple teams and creating a local talent pipeline to the pros. We hope to expand our model over time, leading to the development of a healthy professional circuit for college graduates & a youth pipeline.
Our Values
Excellence
We strive for excellence in everything we do, from coaching to player development.
Community
Building a supportive and inclusive volleyball community in Utah.
Development
Focus on continuous improvement and skill development at all levels.
Passion
Sharing our love for beach volleyball and inspiring others.
Meet the Team
Pompilio Mercadante is a world-class beach volleyball coach with over 20 years of experience at the highest level. A former USA National team coach, he has worked with over 100 Olympians, including medalists Alice Ceruti, and numerous top finishes in Chicago and Hermosa during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. With many other accomplishments throughout his career, Pompilio continues to be one of the most respected and sought after coaches in the sport.
Melissa has played and trained with some of the best players and coaches in the world, including five-time Olympian Kerri Walsh Jennings, Olympic coach Marco Sicoli, and renowned coaches like Pompilio Mercadante and Leandro Brachmann. She excelled on the Brazilian Professional Tour and the World Tour, representing Team USA, with a highest finish of 5th place. With numerous top finishes, including 3rd at an AVP Next Gold Series event, she was a former Division 1 beach volleyball player for Houston Baptist and the University of Utah. Melissa also has over eight years of coaching experience.
Phil played for top-ranked BYU as an Outside Hitter and earned the Elite 89 Award in 2014 for the highest GPA at the NCAA finals across all divisions. After his BYU career, he played in the Brazilian Superliga A professional league before earning his MBA and Master's in International Affairs from the University of Utah. With over 6 years of coaching experience, Phil is a certified beach coach under NCAA Champion and AVP Champion Sean Metzger and has numerous Open level podium finishes.
Our Training Philosophy
At Project Beach Utah, we believe in developing complete athletes. Our training programs combine technical skill development, tactical understanding, physical conditioning, and mental preparation.
We offer programs for all skill levels, from beginners to elite athletes. Our coaches work closely with each athlete to create personalized development plans that align with their goals and aspirations.
Explore our programsJoin Our Community
Whether you're a beginner looking to learn the basics or an experienced player aiming for professional competition, Project Beach Utah has a place for you.