Director: Vanessa Mack

Vanessa Mack is a lifelong resident of New Haven, where she attended public schools before pursuing higher education at Springfield College. There, she earned both her Bachelor's degree and Master's in Social Work, all while competing as a collegiate volleyball player for two years.

As the Founder and Director of Pure Passion Volleyball, Vanessa is dedicated to mentoring and developing young women through the sport, while also helping them grow into the next generation of leaders. With over a decade of coaching experience, she has a proven track record of success, including serving as Head Coach at Albertus Magnus College, a Division III institution in New Haven, from 2014 to 2020. She also played a key role as Assistant Coach at Bay Path College from 2010-2011, where she helped strengthen the Wildcats' volleyball program over two seasons. In addition, Vanessa has coached and trained athletes with the New Haven Juniors Volleyball Club.

Vanessa’s athletic career began at Hyde Leadership Academy, where she led the team to both conference and state tournament appearances. A standout player, she earned Second-Team All-State honors in 2005 and First-Team All-State honors in 2006 as a setter.

As a coach, Vanessa specializes in cultivating the mental and emotional resilience of athletes. She strongly believes in training the whole athlete—mind, body, and spirit—to prepare them for success both on the court and in life. Her passion for helping athletes build mental toughness, self-discipline, and confidence extends beyond sports, fostering growth that lasts well beyond the playing field.