THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
San Mateo High School Athletics

Coach Lucky Makropoulos’ passion for volleyball began in high school under the mentorship of his gym teacher, Mr. Mike Romelo. Despite the absence of a formal volleyball program, Mr. Romelo’s influence sparked a lasting connection to the game—one that would carry through recreational and club experiences at Pennsylvania State University and evolve into a lifelong pursuit of mastery.

In the early 2000s, Coach Lucky began building his family with his wife, Jessica, while simultaneously advancing a successful 13-year career at Apple Inc.. During his tenure, he held roles spanning project management, product management, and program leadership. This professional foundation—rooted in systems thinking, operations, and scalable execution—now directly informs his coaching methodology and organizational leadership.

With over 30 years dedicated to studying the game and more than a decade of coaching experience, Coach Lucky has developed a reputation for blending technical precision with holistic athlete development. His coaching résumé includes work with USA Volleyball’s High-Performance Program, leading advanced high school and setting clinics at Stanford University, and contributing across collegiate, high school, and elite club environments throughout the Bay Area.

In 2023, Coach Lucky co-founded Blue Banner Volleyball, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on developing student-athletes through a comprehensive, values-driven approach. Under his leadership, the program emphasizes not only technical excellence, but also mindset, accountability, and long-term personal growth—anchored by the mantra: Be Better. Do Better.™

Professional Coaching Experience

2020 – Present

• Founder & Director, Blue Banner Volleyball

• Varsity Head Coach, San Mateo High School

• Varsity Assistant Coach, Notre Dame Belmont High School (2022)

• Head Coach, Rage Westside VC (Power 14-1, 13-1)

• Assistant Coach, Rage Westside VC (Power 16-1)

• Program Director, Notre Dame Belmont Volleyball Clinics (Setting, Hitting, Digging, Evolution Series)

2010 – 2020

• Coach, USA Volleyball High-Performance Program

• Lead Coach, Stanford Advanced High School & Setting Camps

• Assistant Coach, College of San Mateo

• Head Coach, Encore Volleyball Club (multiple power teams, 2015–2020)

• Program Director, Encore Prep (150+ athletes trained)

• Head Coach, Sacred Heart Preparatory High School

• Developer of first outdoor turf volleyball training system (Sacred Heart Prep)

• Head Coach, Polaris Volleyball Club

Certifications & Affiliations

• USA Volleyball CAP I (trained by John Kessel)

• CCCAA Compliance Certified

• Art of Coaching (Levels 1 & 2)

• Gold Medal Squared (GMS) Certified

• NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching

• SafeSport / Mandatory Reporter Certified

• CPR, First Aid, Concussion, Heat Illness, Sudden Cardiac Arrest Certified

• Member: AVCA (5+ years), JVA (3+ years)

Coaching Philosophy & Influences

Coach Lucky’s approach integrates motor learning science, leadership theory, and performance psychology. He draws from disciplines such as deliberate practice, growth mindset, and team dynamics to build complete athletes. Influential works include:

• The Anxious Generation – Jonathan Haidt

• Peak – Anders Ericsson

• Grit – Angela Duckworth

• Mindset – Carol Dweck

• The Talent Code – Daniel Coyle

• Research by Carl McGown and Gabriele Wulf