La Habra’s Yainel Villa: Coach, photographer and missionary
LA HABRA, Calif. — Yainel Villa discovered her love for volleyball in the 8th grade. Originally a soccer player since 1st grade, she transitioned to volleyball due to health issues. She played volleyball throughout her teen years (2010 – 2014) at California High School and with So Cal United Club Volleyball and continued at Rio Hondo College in 2016. Her dedication and mental strength helped her excel as a Middle Blocker/Defensive Specialist, specializing in passing and finding good balance.
In 2019, Yainel returned to Cal High, where she coached JV Girls Volleyball for one year. She also coached at So Cal United for three years from 2019-2021. Recently, she served as the Head Coach for JV Girl’s Volleyball (2023-2024) at La Habra High School. Her achievements have inspired others, and she has continued to share her knowledge and experience as a coach, helping young players achieve their potential.
“I have had some unforgettable moments in my volleyball career, particularly when preparing for game days, especially when facing our rivals. The competition’s intensity and strategic readiness have always been defining aspects of these occasions. Scoring a point and being in unity with my teammates have contributed significantly to the cherished memories of my athletic journey.
As a coach for young athletes, I face some challenges, such as addressing attitudes and drawing clear boundaries. To create an environment where athletes appreciate my guidance and respect my role in their development, I need to be effective in handling these challenges. Witnessing their skill sets grow on the court and in their personal development is one of my most rewarding moments. Guiding them on their journey to becoming the best players they aspire to be is always a pleasure. I empower these young athletes through persistent encouragement, reminding them that they possess the capacity to achieve anything they set their minds to,” Yainel reveals.
Yainel married Jonathan, her longtime classmate and friend since 8th grade. They fell in love after high school and tied the knot in 2021. Together they own Villa Visuals, a photography and videography business in La Habra. As a coach and photographer, she finds it easier to manage her time and energy since she runs her own business with her husband. This allows her to efficiently balance her coaching responsibilities with the operations of their business.
“Something that people may be surprised to know about me is that I have become a missionary in the past year. In the last six months, I have gone to Uganda, Africa, where our church, Cityreach in Whittier helped build orphanages and resources to thousands of families from war-torn countries at a refugee camp. Most recently, we visited San Salvador, El Salvador, where our church provided basic necessities to people in prison while sharing the Word of God with them,” Yainel shares.
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