Executive Director and Coach, Ethan Hefu Yu, brings extensive playing and coaching expertise to our teams. Playing volleyball since the age of twelve in Tai Shan, China, Yu offers his early experiences from a tight-knit volleyball community. Upon coming to New York, Yu was the starting setter throughout his high school career at Seward Park. He led his varsity team into the city Championships for four years and was selected as MVP of the PSAL Class of 2004 in New York City. Yu was part of the traditional 9-Man Volleyball team under the New York Strangers Sports Association in 2003 and continues to play 9Man locally in Brooklyn and Manhattan. 

Upon his high school graduation, Yu began his coaching career as assistant coach for Seward Park High School’s Boy’s and Girl’s Varsity Volleyball teams (2005-2008). In 2008, he was appointed head coach for the New York Strangers Girl's Volleyball team. Yu was the Director of Players Operation for the New York Strangers Sports Association until 2010 and was the assistant coach of the 18s team for AllStarr Volleyball from 2010-2011. Yu founded NYC Impact Volleyball Club with goals of increasing opportunity for the urban youth to play club volleyball, while teaching lifelong values through the sport. His lead role coaching is demonstrated by his enthusiasm, dedication, and passion for volleyball.