Makenzie O’Neil serves as the Junior Varsity B Head Volleyball Coach at Apex High School, returning to the program where she recently competed as a student-athlete. Originally from Denham Springs, Louisiana, Coach O’Neil played volleyball all four years at Apex as a defensive specialist and also participated in cheerleading as a main base. She is an Apex High School graduate and maintains CPR/First Aid certification along with all required coaching trainings.

Coach O’Neil was inspired to coach by the mentors who shaped her growth as a player, particularly Coach Bev Lineberger and Coach Michael Webster. Her coaching philosophy centers on building strong individual relationships with each athlete, allowing her to understand their needs both as players and as people. She strives to create a positive, safe, and fun environment where athletes enjoy coming to practice, feel supported, and are excited to learn and improve every day.

As a young coach, Coach O’Neil brings relatability, energy, and a fresh perspective to the program, helping her connect with athletes in a meaningful way. She values being back at Apex and coaching alongside the coach who taught her the game, appreciating the strong support system within the program. Outside of volleyball, Coach O’Neil works full-time as a nanny and is pursuing premedical sonography studies at Wake Tech Community College. She also enjoys traveling, staying active at the gym, and spending time with friends. A full-circle fun fact—she was coached by Coach Webster just two years ago and now proudly coaches alongside him.