Dan Schultz’s team members include (front, from left) Makena Stockham, Gina Marzo, Leslie Ann Mina, Tiana Lenta and and Kaile Stockham.

WEST MAUI — Former Maui Preparatory Academy volleyball coach Dan Schultz has taken his game from the hard court to the beach with the Elite Development Volleyball Club (EDVC).

The former All-American at Loyola Chicago and United States National Team and European professional player has shifted his coaching acumen to the sand after two years with the Maui Prep girls program. He now mentors the middle and high school players on the beach at Kaanapali.

“We currently have anywhere from eight to 16 girls coming out for practice three or four times a week,” said Schultz, who graduated with a degree in art from Loyola and another in education from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

EDVC is a nonprofit club that aims to create a college preparatory pathway for middle and high school girls.

“We have a vision of getting more girls involved to get more looks from organizations such as the USAV (United States Association of Volleyball) and from colleges all across the country,” he said.

The EDVC roster for 2011 includes Gina Marzo, Kaile Stockham, McKenna Stockham, Lesley Ann Mina, Tiana Lenta, Carmela Lenta, Jamie Advincula, Casey Arakaki and Kealani Hill.

“These girls have really shown great development over a short period of time adjusting to playing in the sand and wind,” said Coach Dan, who also serves as an official for Maui Interscholastic League volleyball when he leaves the beach courts at Kaanapali Beach.

“It was difficult at first, but those who have stuck with it have learned to play the game. I’ve seen tremendous improvement in their passing, serving and hitting, and they are all good athletes that want to play. They’re all getting better all the time,” he commented.

Schultz expressed his gratitude to supporters of the program, including “Team Moms” Jill Marzo and Joanna Stockham, as well as Pono and Leimomi Murray, and Tommy Akima for their help in jump-starting beach volleyball here on the West Side.

Elite Development Volleyball Club starts up when the high school girls finish their season at the end of October and then plays on through June. For more information, call (312) 296-5142.