Sterling grew up in Honolulu, Hawai’i and attended Moanalua High School. While at Moanalua, he played 4 years of volleyball for the school as well as for Ku’ikahi Volleyball Club.
After high school, Sterling attended Point Loma Nazarene University where he played, directed, and eventually coached the Men’s Volleyball Club.
While in College, Sterling began his coaching career assisting at PLNU recruiting camps as well as club summer camps. He continued to be a manager of the PLNU women’s volleyball team till he graduated in 2022.
Since graduating, Sterling has been an assistant coach at PLNU, and won a PAC-West conference title with them in 2023. He also began coaching at Coast Volleyball Club.