Published September 2, 2026
By JUNE EMERSON
After more than three decades of coaching high school and club volleyball, David Crabbe has joined Carmel High School as the head coach of the girls’ volleyball team.
This season, Crabbe is focused on supporting his athletes’ goals while bringing his experience coaching high-level volleyball.
“Our goal is to compete at the highest level of our league and continue to improve throughout the season.” the coach says.
With a senior-heavy roster that has experienced several coaching changes over the years, Crabbe’s long history in the program makes his presence familiar as he steps into his head coaching role. Knowing this, Crabbe believes that this familiarity will lead to a strong team culture on and off the court.
“David has been a wonderful coach to me for the past five seasons,” four-year varsity player Aspen Ashe says. “I played on his team for Sand the past five seasons as well as at CMS, and I am so excited for this upcoming season with him.”
Crabbe began his coaching career at Pacific Grove High School in 1987, where he coached the Breakers
As the new head coach of girls’ volleyball, David Crabbe brings to CHS decades’ worth of experience coaching and playing high level volleyball. Courtesy of DAVID CRABBE
for 23 years. When his daughters began playing volleyball, he transitioned to coaching at Carmel Middle School, where he spent the next ten years. Simultaneously, he continued coaching club volleyball, first at Carmel Beach Volleyball Club, then for the past eight years with Sand Volleyball Club.
“My favorite part about coaching is teaching kids the game that I am passionate about,” Crabbe explains. “My ultimate goal is to teach my athletes the skills and love to not just play volleyball in high school or college, but to play the game for the rest of their lives.”
Beyond being a seasoned coach, Crabbe is an avid volleyball player. He competed in indoor club volleyball, including co-ed and men’s leagues, as well as beach doubles. At the highest level of club volleyball, Crabbe participated in a professional beach volleyball tournament and competed nationally in club volleyball against players who would go on to play in the Olympics.
As a Carmel resident and father of two volleyball players, Crabbe has been connected to his community for years. What drew him to filling the coaching position at CHS, however, is Carmel’s rich volleyball history. With his daughters attending high school and his longstanding ties to the community, Crabbe felt inclined to take this opportunity to continue that history.
With decades of experience, longstanding connections with the community and a clear vision for the program forward, Crabbe is ready to continue Carmel’s volleyball program. Their first non-league game was Aug. 29 against Harbor High School.
