Kristjan Cortez

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Head Coach | 18 APEX

Kristjan Cortez will lead 18 APEX this season, bringing high-level collegiate playing experience, a passion for athlete development, and a player-centered coaching philosophy to Arizona Legacy. A former outside hitter at Rivier University before transferring to Concordia University Irvine, Kristjan earned GNAC All-Conference honors, helped lead Rivier to the 2019 GNAC Championship, and finished among the NCAA's top hitters in hitting percentage during his collegiate career.

Before joining Arizona Legacy, Kristjan coached with Mountain View Volleyball Club and Orange Coast Volleyball Club (OCVC), working with athletes across multiple age groups while helping them develop the technical skills, confidence, and competitive mindset needed to succeed. As a former terminal attacker, he enjoys teaching the finer details of attacking, offensive systems, and decision-making, helping athletes understand not only how to play the game, but why.

Away from volleyball, Kristjan is pursuing a degree in nursing while serving as a brand ambassador for SLUNKS, reflecting his continued involvement in the volleyball community. His coaching philosophy is rooted in building meaningful relationships with athletes, creating an environment built on trust, accountability, and daily improvement. He believes the best teams are formed when athletes feel supported, challenged, and empowered to compete with confidence.

As the Head Coach of 18 APEX, Kristjan is committed to preparing athletes for success beyond club volleyball. Whether an athlete's goal is to play collegiately or simply become the best version of themselves, his focus is on developing complete young men who compete with discipline, represent Arizona Legacy with pride, and leave the program better than they found it.