Panthers United Field Hockey
Coaches
Kellie Miller
Kellie and her family recently relocated to the Richmond area from New Jersey. Kellie has been coaching or playing hockey for 30 years. She is a former midfielder at Princeton University, where she was a two-time NCAA Final Four Participant, two-time Regional All-American, two-time All Ivy League, and a U-21 National Team Camp invitee. Kellie was also a three time Academic All-American, graduating cum laude in 2001 with a degree in politics. She is currently an attorney representing students and faculty in education.
Prior to Princeton, Kellie was a NJ all-state selection in both field hockey and softball. She was the 1996 South Jersey Field Hockey Player of the Year, and a 1996 All-American Nominee.
Kellie has been coaching and playing field hockey for 30 years and has worked with girls of all ages teaching them the game she loves. She is the author and illustrator of the Felicity Books — two children’s books about field hockey for girls ages 3-8.
Finally, Kellie is a mom of 6 children. She has 4 daughters who are all hockey players. Kellie’s oldest, Gianna, is a player at Liberty University.
Kellie will be helping out with our U16 Indoor Program. She also is frequently seen helping with Panther Fall Teams.
Sierra Espeland
Sierra is entering her first year with the Panthers United Field Hockey program this fall. She brings a wealth of knowledge primarily in the cage, and on the defensive end, and experience from her playing career, all the way to her most recent position as an Assistant Coach at the University of Mary Washington.
Espeland was the starting goalkeeper for the University of Vermont for five seasons (2018-22) where she became the all-time leader in career wins and wins in a single season. Espeland is a member of the US Women’s National Indoor Team since 2016. She was also a member of the USA Indoor Pan American Cup team that won gold medals in 2017 and 2021. She was also a member of both the 2018 Indoor World Cup team, and a captain of the U21 National Team at the 2019 Croatia Cup.
Espeland’s college career is highlighted by accolades consisting of America East Goalkeeper of the Year and First Team All-Conference in 2022.
With Panther’s United, Sierra will be the head coach of the U19 indoor teams and continue the Sunday Club training.
Leah Tolley
Leah is joining Panthers United for her first full season in the fall of 2023.
Tolley graduated from Hartwick College, with a Business Administration degree with a minor in finance. During her time at Hartwick she was a four-year starter for their field hockey program. She earned numerous accolades including NFHCA Scholar of Distinction and National Academic Squad.
Tolley was a two-year team captain and an All-Conference Team representative, All-Tournament Team, and MVP during her four-year career.
Leah brings a worldly view to Panther’s United from her experiences off the field as a Caribbean Elective Representative summer intern where she lived in Saint Lucia and worked with international students to further their education and experience.
Tolley will be coaching the U19 indoor teams with Panther’s United, and also coaching on Sundays with our club practices.
Korena Alexis
Koréna Alexis joined the Panthers United club in the spring of 2022. Prior to her time at the Panthers, she coached at both the middle school and high school level in the greater Virginia Beach area. Koréna was a collegiate player at Towson University for one year, later transferring to Virginia Commonwealth University where she found her passion for coaching after suffering from a serious injury with the Rams. She continued to work with the team shooting film for the remainder of her time in college.
Koréna began playing field hockey in 7th grade at Plaza Middle School in Virginia Beach where she later attended and played field hockey for Princess Anne High School. She was a member of the 2014 5A State Championship team with the Cavaliers. Koréna has coached several teams for the Panthers including Royal and Black teams for U12, U14, and U16. Korena will head up the U14 Indoor teams this winter.
Hayley Mills
Hayley Mills joined the Panthers United Club in the Winter of 2018. She brings over 12 years of
experience ranging from travel team championships, Junior Olympics, Virginia High School State
Championships, National Team play, and D1 collegiate experience. Hayley spent the majority of her
career as a midfielder, switching to forward during college. She specializes in indoor, field positioning
for offensive play, and set pieces.
Hayley was a top recruit at Lafayette College before transferring to Virginia Tech to further her
academic career; where as a starting forward led the team to 2 National Club Championships. While
at Tabb High School, she garnered First Team All-State, All-Region and All-District honors as a
midfielder. Her team accumulated a 92-4 record over her four years including three straight Virginia
State AA Championships (2009-2011) and State Runner-Up in 2012.
Since joining, she has coached primarily our U16 and U19 teams and will be heading up the U12
Indoor Teams for this season.