Westmoreland Elite

Welcome to West E

Our story

Westmoreland Elite (aka West E) started in 2004 by club director, Ray Reilly, as “Lady Cats Volleyball Club”, to help Franklin Regional volleyball players expand their knowledge of the game. For 2 years, the team was comprised of 15-17 year olds and it was identified early that with this range of ages, the team was not very competitive. Going into the third year, tryouts were held to help make the team a little more competitive. Ray and his one person staff (Carissa Suvak) were overwhelmed with over 100 players looking to further their volleyball experience. Players from Franklin Regional, Plum, Gateway, McKeesport, Obama, Indiana, Latrobe and Penn Trafford were some of the programs where players came from. Ray decided to change the name to “Westmoreland Elite Volleyball Club” to better represent the players that had been chosen for the club.

In 2007, there were not enough coaches for all the teams that were created, so Ray hired Ellen Toy, Ron Mower and Gene Larson, in addition to him and Carissa, to take on the several teams. The club practiced out of Franklin Regional for several years until they outgrew that facility and moved to Monroeville Sports Center (now known as Monroeville Pro-Sports) where the club grew in size along with the coaching staff. In 2008, the addition of Kris Ruppert, Greg Lockley and Lindsay Lesofsky to the coaching staff, attracted many more quality players as we grew in size and became more competitive.

Since 2008, Westmoreland Elite has doubled in size from a 6-team club to an 12-team club (depending on the year) and moved to Murrysville SportsZone. From the original group of coaches, Gene Larson, Greg Lockley and Lindsay Lesofsky are still on the board/coaching staff. This has provided the club with a strong foundation that supports its continued success and growth.

In 2018, Ray decided to retire from West E, and move to warmer weather down South, and named Lindsay Lesofsky and Greg Lockley as Co-Directors of Westmoreland Elite. Lindsay manages the administrative side of the club while Greg manages the coach(es) and player side of the club.

our mission

Westmoreland Elite is dedicated to developing athletes through high-level training and competitive opportunities in a supportive and positive environment. We provide opportunities for athletes of all skill levels to grow their game and build confidence.

Our experienced coaching staff, which includes many former West E players, is dedicated to provide skill-focused training, while also focusing on team training through the season. Most importantly, our staff is here to provide an experience to allow every player to establish and maintain a love for the game of volleyball. Our goal is for every player to leave West E as not only a better player or teammate, but a better person as well.

parent & player

testimonials

“We can’t say enough good things about Westmoreland Elite Volleyball Club! All three of my daughters have played here, and each of them has had an incredible experience. The coaches are skilled, patient, and clearly care about helping every player grow; not just on the court, but as people. They strike a great balance between competitive drive and genuine encouragement, which made a huge difference for my girls’ confidence.

The staff and coaching team treat every athlete as an individual, taking the time to understand each kid’s strengths and areas to work on. My daughters have improved so much in their skills, teamwork, and love of the game since joining. Two of my daughters went on to play volleyball in college, and the foundation they built at Westmoreland Elite, both technically and mentall, was a huge part of what prepared them for that next level. Beyond the volleyball itself, the club has fostered a really supportive, family-like atmosphere that we’ve loved being part of.

Communication from the club has been excellent, and you can tell the coaches genuinely want every player to succeed. We’re so grateful we found Westmoreland Elite and we highly recommend to any family looking for a club that treats their kids well and helps them thrive both as athletes and individuals.” – Damian Hess, Father of Rebecca Hess (Class of 2022 & Head 17 Purple Coach), Emily Hess (Class of 2024) and Megan Hess (16 Purple in 2025-2026 season)

“Last year was my daughter’s first year doing club volleyball. We had no idea what to expect when we walked in the door for tryouts or what to expect once the season started. Her coach and even coaches from other age groups made her feel so welcome, pushed her to learn new skills and were so encouraging. The club, the other athletes and parents made her first club season one of the best experiences and truly solidified her love of volleyball!” – Sara Steeves, Mother of Claire Steeves (14 Purple in 2025-2026 season)

“As a proud mom of a Westmoreland Elite athlete, I can’t say enough good things about this club. My daughter Milan has been with Westmoreland Elite for four years now, and the growth we’ve seen in her — both as a player and as a young woman — has been incredible.

From the very beginning, the coaches have been knowledgeable, dedicated, and genuinely invested in every athlete. Coaches like Gene Larson (14s), Robin and Dave Klimke (15s), Lindsay Lesofsky (16s) and Greg Lockley (17s) have helped Milan develop into a strong libero and defensive specialist. They focus not just on technical skills but also on mental toughness, teamwork, and leadership. The training is challenging and well-structured, and the emphasis on fundamentals has paid off — she earned All-WPIAL 3rd Team honors in 2025, All-Star 1st Team recognition, and WPIAL All-Section honors, and she continues to improve every season.

What stands out most is the supportive environment. The club truly feels like a family. The coaches push the girls to be their best while building confidence and lifelong friendships. We’ve also appreciated the clear communication, competitive schedule, and the way the program prepares athletes for the next level.

I would recommend Westmoreland Elite to any family looking for serious development in a positive, high-quality program. We’re so grateful to be part of this club and look forward to many more successful seasons ahead!” – Jennifer Lynn Probala, Mother of Milan Hodge (18 Purple)

“Our daughter played for Westmoreland Elite for five years, and it was one of the most rewarding experiences of her athletic career. From the moment she joined the club, she was challenged to grow as a volleyball player while being supported by coaches who genuinely cared about her development and success.

What stood out most to us was the balance between skill development and competition. She was consistently encouraged to improve her game, work hard, and push herself to reach new levels of confidence both on and off the court. The competitive environment helped her develop resilience, discipline, and a strong belief in her abilities.

One of the highlights of her time with Westmoreland Elite was being part of the club’s first team to compete at Nationals in Las Vegas in 2021. It was an incredible opportunity and an experience our family will always remember. Seeing the hard work of the players and coaches culminate in competing at that level was truly special.

Beyond volleyball, Westmoreland Elite became a place where our daughter formed meaningful friendships, gained confidence, and felt a sense of belonging. We are grateful for the experiences, memories, and relationships that came from her five years with the club.

Westmoreland Elite played an important role in our daughter’s growth as an athlete and as a young woman, and we will always look back on her time there with appreciation.” – Dawn Andrews, Mother of Sydney Andrews (Class of 2022)