Mehdi El Alaoui
17's Head Coach
Mehdi El Alaoui begins his sixth year with Virginia Elite, now as the Head Coach of the 17’s team. In addition to an accomplished professional career, El Alaoui brings a wealth of experience in coaching across the Chesapeake Region to the club and is an accomplished volleyball coach with over 17 years of experience leading teams to success at the high school and club levels.
Since taking over as head coach at Bishop O’Connell High School in 2012, Mehdi has transformed the program into a perennial powerhouse, amassing 286 career wins. Under his leadership, the team has secured multiple WCAC Conference and VISAA State Championships, including a historic double victory in 2024. His ability to develop talent and foster team cohesion has also led to numerous runner-up finishes, maintaining the program’s status as a dominant force in the region.
In addition to his achievements at O’Connell, Mehdi has been an integral part of the Virginia Elite Volleyball Club since 2020, where he continues to shape athletes into top performers. His teams and players have earned significant recognition, with multiple All-Americans, Conference Players of the Year, and Washington Post All-Met honorees under his guidance. Mehdi’s impact extends beyond the court, as his teams have consistently earned Academic Honor Roll distinctions, reflecting his commitment to excellence both athletically and academically.
El Alaoui began playing volleyball in his home country of Morocco and was invited to play for the Moroccan Junior National Team. He then went on to sign a professional contract with Morocco’s Association Sportive Sale, where he captained the team to a Division II Championship and a spot in Division I. After relocating to the US, El Alaoui earned a B.A. in Middle East Studies from George Washington University. He currently resides in Reston, Virginia, and teaches health and physical education for Bishop O’Connell.
