Joe Amaral (4 Seasons)
- 2024 NWAC Champions & North Region Champions
- 2024 AVCA West Region Two Year College Coach of the Year
- 2024 NWAC Baden Coach of the Year
- 2021 & 2024 North Region Coach of the Year
- 5 AVCA All-Americans since 2021
- Overall Record (93-30) Conference (37-11)
Joe Amaral recently completed his fourth official season as head coach of the Skagit Valley College Volleyball program, leading the team to its first-ever NWAC Championship and first North Region title in 17 years. Since taking over in 2020, Amaral has firmly established Skagit Valley as one of the premier programs in the NWAC, advancing to the Elite 8 in each of his seasons at the helm.
2024 – A Landmark Season
The 2024 season marked a historic achievement for the Cardinals, as they set multiple program records. The team won their first NWAC title, breaking Linn Benton’s 89-match win streak and ending their bid for a fourth consecutive championship. Additionally, the Cardinals captured their first North Region title in 17 years and set a program record with 33 wins in a season.
Key player highlights included Hayden Claeys earning 1st Team AVCA All-American honors, NWAC Baden Player of the Year, North Region MVP, and becoming Skagit Valley's all-time assist leader with 2,394 career assists. Sarah Cook was named a 2nd Team AVCA All-American, NWAC Tournament 1st Team, and North Region 1st Team. Madisyn Butenschoen and Tanna Kollen also received recognition, being named to the NWAC All-Tournament Team and North Region Teams.
2023 – Overcoming Adversity
The 2023 season was marked by significant challenges, with the Cardinals losing two key sophomore starters to season-ending injuries early on. Despite these setbacks, the team, composed entirely of freshmen, advanced to the Elite 8 for the third consecutive year, where they fell to the eventual champions, Linn Benton.
Notable individual achievements included Hayden Claeys being named to the NWAC All-Tournament Team and North Region 1st Team. Injured sophomore Bryn Batten, an All-American in her freshman year, received North Region 2nd Team honors despite her season-ending injury.
2022 – A Strong Follow Up
Building on the previous year's remarkable run to the finals, the Cardinals returned determined to reach the top once more. The team made it to the Elite 8 for the second consecutive year, where they faced a heartbreaking 16-18 loss in a five-set thriller against Columbia Basin College, who played with incredible resilience after the tragic loss of their coach mid-season.
Bryn Batten earned AVCA All-American honors, NWAC All-Tournament Team recognition, and North Region 1st Team honors. Additionally, Kenna Flynn and Faith Baar were named to the North Region 1st and 2nd Teams, respectively.
2021 – A Strong Start
In his first official season as head coach, Amaral guided the Cardinals to a perfect 12-0 start and established them as a dominant force in the NWAC. The team advanced to the Elite 8 for the first time under the new NWAC Tournament format. Notably, Skagit Valley pulled off a remarkable performance in the semifinals, overcoming nine match points to defeat Pierce College in five sets.
Brooklyn Johnson was honored as the North Region MVP, earning AVCA All-American honors, NWAC All-Tournament Team recognition, and North Region MVP. Libby Miller also earned AVCA All-American honors and was named to the NWAC All-Tournament Team, while Olivia Pratt earned a spot on the NWAC All-Tournament Team and North Region 1st Team.
Coaching Experience
In addition to his work with Skagit Valley College, Amaral is involved with the PSR All-Star program, coaching for three years and earning a bronze medal at the 2023 National Tournament with his U-15 squad. His U-15 SIVA club team won the 2023 Las Vegas Classic National Tournament. Amaral's extensive coaching background includes 12 years with Skagit Island Volleyball Academy, 5 years at Squalicum High School, and 2 years at Bellingham High School.
Personal Background
A graduate of Bellarmine College Preparatory and Western Governors University, where he earned a degree in Elementary Education, Amaral has been involved in volleyball for over 20 years and coaching for 12. Born and raised in San Jose, California, he played for Bay to Bay Volleyball Club as a setter/libero and competed in national tournaments. He continues to play competitively in the Pacific Northwest, with numerous tournament victories to his name.
- 2021: 25-6 overall, 9-3 conference. 2nd Place NWAC
- 2022: 16-7 overall, 8-4 conference. 5th Place NWAC
- 2023: 19-13 overall, 8-4 conference. 5th Place NWAC
- 2024: 33-4, 12-0 conference. 1st Place NWAC
