Florida Institute of Technology Women's Volleyball

Jordan Willis was hired as the Volleyball Head Coach in February 2023. Coach Willis enters his third season at Tech holding a 29-31overall record. During the 2023 season, his first as the head coach of the Panthers, Willis finished 9-21 overall with a 3-17 conference record. Willis was able to guide Tech to a conference sweep of Barry during the regular season series for the first time in since 2008. At the start of the season, Willis led the team to a 4-0 finish at the Rollins College Invitation defeating Chadron State, Auburn Montgomery, Bluefield State and Tusculum. In the 2024 season, Willis led the Panthers to one of the best season in program history. Tech finished with a record of 20-10, going 14-6 in the Sunshine State Conference. Under the leadership of Willis, the 2024 season saw the Panthers achieve the most conference wins and second best winning percentage (66.7) in program history. Coach Willis also produced the first two All-Americans in Florida Tech Volleyball History this season, Cordelia Kearns (first team) and Chiara Patelli (Honorable Mention).  Willis came to Florida Tech from Davis & Elkins College, where he served as head coach of the Senators since June 2020.   In his three seasons at D&E, Willis guided the Senators to a 38-31 record, including a 27-15 mark in the Mountain East Conference and three MEC tournament appearances.   Prior to his time at D&E, Willis spent five seasons at Otero Junior College, where he led the Rattlers to their first Region IX championship, a seventh-place national finish, and a trip to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Tournament appearance.   Willis, the winningest coach in OJC history by percentage, posted an 89-48 (.649) mark in his four seasons. He produced the first All-American in program history in Brilane Manchengo, in addition to three All-Region selections. He led the squad to its first national ranking in program history, guiding the Rattlers up to 19th in the NJCAA Poll.   Before heading to OJC, Willis spent five seasons as an assistant coach at Colorado State-Pueblo from 2011-15, where he served primarily as the offensive and recruiting coordinator. The Thunderwolves earned berths into the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament in three of his five seasons.   From 2007-10, Willis was an assistant coach at Texas A&M-Kingsville. He worked extensively in recruiting and scouting while teaching within the institution's Department of Health and Kinesiology. The 2007 campaign marked the first winning season for the Javelinas since 1998, as Willis was part of the second most successful coaching staff in program history.    Willis began his coaching career at St. Mary's College of California, where he was the head coach of the men's and women's club volleyball teams from 2003-06.   A four-year starting setter at St. Mary's College of California, Willis earned his Bachelor's Degree in History in 2002 and his Master's Degree in Physical Education in 2006. WHAT THEY ARE SAYING.    Bruce Atkinson, Head Volleyball Coach – Delaware State University "Jordan is an outstanding choice to lead the Florida Tech Volleyball program.  He has an excellent volleyball IQ and knows how to build a program successfully.  He puts his Student-Athletes first, and they are going to love having him as their coach.  I look forward to seeing all of the success that Jordan and the Panthers' Volleyball team have in the future!!" Jen Gomez, Head Volleyball Coach – Pittsburg State University "Jordan will do a great job leading the volleyball program at Florida Tech. He excels in recruiting student-athletes that will enhance not only the volleyball program but also the university.  I'm excited for him and his family, and I know he will do well!"   Emily Kohan, Head Volleyball Coach – Colorado State University "Florida Tech is getting a wonderful coach and HUMAN that cares deeply about his athletes in Jordan Willis. He is a tireless worker that has built success wherever he coaches. Everyone involved with Florida Tech – fans, players, recruits, administrators - will love his enthusiasm and competitive nature."  

PuaLehua Keola was hired as the assistant volleyball coach in April 2023. During the 2023 season, Keola's first as an assistant coach of the Panthers, saw the team finish 9-21 overall with a 3-17 conference record. She helped Tech defeat SSC Opponents Barry twice, sweeping the regular season series for the first time in program history since 2008. At the start of the season, Keola helped guide the team to a 4-0 finish at the Rollins College Invitation defeating Chadron State, Auburn Montgomery, Bluefield State and Tusculum. In the 2024 season, Keola helped the Panthers earn their first ever bid to the NCAA Tournament after going 20-9 during the regular season. The 2024 squad also won the most Sunshine State Conference matches in program history (14) and produced two All-Americans, Cordelia Kearns (first team) and Chiara Patelli (Honorable Mention).  Keola came to Florida Tech after serving as an assistant coach at Davis & Elkins since 2020.   Over her three years with the Senators, she helped lead Davis & Elkins to a .551 overall winning percentage and a 27-15 mark in conference play to earn three consecutive top-three finishes in the Mountain East Conference South Division.   Keola also served part-time as a Sports Information Director at Davis & Elkins from October 2021 to January 2022.   Prior to Davis & Elkins Keola served as the head coach for the Southern Colorado Precision Volleyball Club 17U and 14U.   A successful collegiate athlete herself, Keola was a five-year member of the CSU-Pueblo volleyball team. Keola finished her career with 430 digs, averaging 2.46 digs per set.   Keola, a native of Honolulu, Hawaii, graduated from Colorado State University-Pueblo with a bachelor's degree in General Exercise Science and a minor in Coaching in May 2020. She graduated with her Masters in Coaching and Administration from Concordia University Irvine in May 2023.