OUR COACHES
Photo Credit: Perry Laskaris
Brianna Duba founded the Upstate Hockey Club out of a deep passion for field hockey and a clear vision to grow the sport in the Upstate region. Having experienced firsthand how transformative the game can be, Brianna wanted to create a structured, supportive environment where local athletes could access top-tier coaching and elite competitive opportunities close to home.
Before launching the club, Brianna built an exceptional competitive background in the sport at both the prep school and NCAA collegiate levels:
- Collegiate Career: Duba was a standout collegiate athlete and two-year team captain at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). As a defender and midfielder, she started every single game of her career. Her elite play earned her recognition as an NFHCA All-American, NFHCA All-Region Team selection all three years, Liberty League Defensive Player of the Year, and ECAC Division III Defensive Player of the Year. She was also selected to play in the NFHCA Division III Senior Game.
- High School Career: Prior to college, she was a four-year varsity starter and captain at The Ethel Walker School in Connecticut, where she led her team to a WNEPSFHA Championship. She was named an NFHCA High School Player of the Month, an All-Southern New England Region selection, and a four-time NFHCA All-Academic selection.
Today, Duba is dedicated to investing in the next generation of players. Her coaching philosophy focuses not just on building advanced stickwork and tactical hockey IQ, but on fostering a team-first culture that builds confidence, resilience, and character off the turf.
"My goal for Upstate HC is simple: to share the game I love, challenge players to reach their highest potential, and build a lasting field hockey community here in the Upstate."
— Brianna Duba, Founder & Director
Kilee Bradeen joined the Upstate Field Hockey Club coaching staff in September 2026, bringing a decorated collegiate playing career and a deep commitment to growing the sport across the Spartanburg and Greenville areas.
A native of Bradley, Maine, Bradeen recently completed an outstanding four-year playing career (2022–2025) at Converse University, where she served as a team captain during her junior and senior seasons and graduated as one of the most accomplished offensive players in program history. Over 71 career games, she racked up 19 goals, 17 assists, and 55 points, ranking third all-time in Converse history. Her stellar senior campaign earned her Second Team All-South Atlantic Conference honors, team MVP recognition, and a spot on the NFHCA National Academic Squad for all four years of her collegiate career.
In addition to her role with Upstate, Bradeen serves as a Volunteer Assistant Coach for the Converse University field hockey program, helping mentor the next generation of collegiate student-athletes.
Passionate about expanding the local game, Bradeen is dedicated to providing young athletes in the Upstate with the skills, confidence, and foundational knowledge to develop a lifelong love for field hockey both on and off the field.
Mikenna Allen brings a strong collegiate playing background and a passion for developing the next generation of field hockey athletes. As a former Division I player at James Madison University, she looks forward to sharing her knowledge of the game and helping young athletes build the skills, confidence, and discipline needed to succeed both on and off the field.
Originally from Birdsboro, Pennsylvania, Allen played for James Madison University from 2019-2022, competing as a forward and midfielder for the Dukes. During her collegiate career, she competed against top-level NCAA programs and gained valuable experience in the technical, tactical, and physical demands of Division I field hockey. In her senior season, she scored goals against Richmond and nationally ranked Iowa. She was also named to the NFHCA National Academic Squad all four years, demonstrating her commitment to excellence both on the field and in the classroom.
Prior to her collegiate career, Allen was a standout athlete at Twin Valley High School, earning four First Team All-County selections and two All-State honors. As a freshman, she helped lead her team to its first PIAA AA State Championship. She also competed with the WC Eagles, contributing to two U19 National Indoor Tournament championship teams.
Allen is passionate about helping young athletes strengthen their fundamentals, develop their understanding of the game, and grow as confident, well-rounded players. She hopes to foster a supportive and challenging environment where athletes can reach their potential, develop a strong sense of teamwork, and build a lasting appreciation for field hockey.
Carly Waszczak joined the Upstate community after graduating from SUNY Oneonta in 2023, where she played four years of collegiate field hockey as a center defender. During her collegiate career, Carly was recognized with two All-Region selections, two All-SUNYAC honors, and CSC Academic All-District recognition. She was also selected to the NFHCA Division III Collegiate Senior Team and the NFHCA Division III National Academic Squad. During her junior year, she ranked third in the nation in defensive saves, and in her senior season, she led her team in goals and points.
Carly is excited to give back to the sport that has shaped her and help grow the field hockey community throughout the Upstate. She is passionate about teaching young athletes the skills, confidence, and teamwork that make field hockey so rewarding. Her goal is to create a fun, encouraging environment where players can develop their abilities, build lasting friendships, and discover just how much they can love the game!
Having played youth field hockey in Virginia Beach to her collegiate years in Wisconsin and South Carolina, Sophia Kottmer understands the impact of the game firsthand.
She is passionate about growing field hockey throughout South Carolina and committed to fostering a future where teams can compete locally and state-wide. She has previously coached at Christ Church Episcopal School in Greenville and is thrilled to bring her experience and enthusiasm to Upstate Hockey Club.
More coaching profiles to come...
Want to join the coaching family, click the button to contact Upstate Hockey Club.