Jacksonville University Women's Volleyball

Dylan Hough enters his fifth season with the Dolphins beach volleyball coaching staff for the 2025 season after returning to JU in October 2020. He was elevated to the title of Head Coach in July 2021. This is Hough's second stint at Jacksonville, previously serving as a volunteer assistant coach with the program from 2016-2017. 2021 season: Hired as the youngest NCAA Division 1 Beach Volleyball Coach (at the time) 3 ASUN All Academic Members (Morgan Dees, Shaylee Befus, Giao Huynh) Highest team GPA on campus AVCA Honor Roll (top 20% of GPA's nationally) AVCA 30 Under 30 Award recipient 2022 season:  Program Record 10 wins First win over a Power 5 team since 2015 (Nebraska) 1 member on ASUN All-Academic Team (Shaylee Befus) Highest team GPA on campus AVCA Honor Roll (Top 20% GPA in the country) Coached a pair of freshmen to JU Freshman win record (17) 2 pairs with most pair wins since 2015 (17, 15)  1 student-athlete recognized as NSCA All-American (Shaylee Befus) SAAC Yearly Team Competition (“Phin Cup”) Champions 2023 Season:  SAAC Yearly Team Competition (“Phin Cup”) Champions 2nd Highest Team GPA on campus AVCA Honor Roll (Top 20% GPA in the country) Coached a pair to a single-season program win record (Jenna/Emily) Coached a pair to ASUN 2nd team All-Conference (Jenna/Emily) Program Record 13 team wins Program Record 9 wins at home Led the Dolphins to the #5 seed in ASUN Tournament Led JU to their first win at ASUN Tournament since 2018 Surpassed Julie Darty-Dennis for most wins as Head Coach in program history Elevated the Dolphins 33 spots in the national CBVB end of season ranking (from 71 in 2022 to 38 in 2023) 2024 Season: Received JU’s first ever bid to the AVCA Pairs National Championship Finished the season with 15 wins, a 3rd consecutive record breaking season Finished the season ranked #36 in the truvolley.com rankings Coached 2 separate pairs into the NCAA Top 20 Pairs Rankings at their respective position Pair of Emily Kubicsko and Jenna McNamara named to the Preseason All ASUN Team Emily Kubicsko and Jenna McNamara both surpassed 50 career wins Coached a member of the ASUN All-Freshman team (Claire Mrukowski) Coached two members of the ASUN All-Academic Team (Anna Erickson/Olivia Szyszkiewicz) Won the JAXPY’s award for highest team GPA Won the JAXPY’s Philanthropy Award  A 2010 graduate of Gulf Coast High School in Naples, Hough has won a national championship as a player at the 2016 USAV Adult Nationals. 

Coach Manguiat enters her second season at the helm for Jacksonville in 2025. 2024 Led the Dolphins to a 15-14 record in her debut season as head coach...Jacksonvile went 10-6 in ASUN play, earning a spot in the ASUN Tournament...Swept the season series against rivals North Florida, winning 3-0 (09/29/24) and 3-1 (10/30/25)...Coached outside hitter Breanna McDonough to Second Team All-ASUN honors...Coached freshmen Haley Yount and Ana Tobar to ASUN All-Freshmen honors PRIOR TO JACKSONVILLE: Alicia Roth joined the Dolphins as the head volleyball coach in late January of 2024. She became the 12th head coach in the program’s 50-plus year history. Roth makes way to Jacksonville following stint at Pittsburgh where she helped the Panthers to a 29-win season that included a trip to the final four. In the past three seasons, Pitt is the only program in the nation to advance to the final four in all three, consecutively. in The Lake Orion, Michigan native has had assistant coaching stints at Arkansas State and Mercer as well as a head coaching title at Johnson and Wales University in Denver Colorado. She also served as the Senior Woman Administrator at JWU and oversaw the student-athlete advisory committee. Prior to her tenure in Denver, Roth dedicated two seasons as the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at Northwestern State in Natchitoches, La.   Her coaching journey began in 2013 at Campbell University, where she started as a graduate assistant, with a focus on the defense for the Fighting Camels while also managing summer camps.   Hailing from Lake Orion, Mich., Roth served as a defensive specialist at Samford for four years. Her contributions played a vital role in the Bulldogs securing the 2011 Southern Conference title and earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament. She played in over 90 matches throughout her collegiate career and received her bachelor’s degree in Sports Administration.   What They’re Saying About Coach Roth “From the moment we had our first conversation with Alicia, we knew that she’d fit well within our culture,” said Ricker-Gilbert. “Her passion and energy for the game was infectious, and we knew our student-athletes would appreciate the kind of leader that she is. Even more importantly, Alicia believes in developing the whole person, not just the athlete, and that is paramount with what we are trying to accomplish at Jacksonville. “I want to thank Dee Brown and the entire search committee for their tireless work in ensuring we hire the right person for this role. I am excited for the future of the volleyball program at JU.” Alex Ricker-Gilbert, Jacksonville Senior VP, Athletic Director “Alicia made a huge impact on our program in a short amount of time. We’re thrilled that she has this great opportunity and truly believe that she is an incredible hire. Alicia is a rising star and possesses the leadership and organizational and interpersonal skills to be a successful head coach. She has a great demeanor and is excited for the vision of the Jacksonville program.” Dan Fisher, Pittsburgh Head Women’s Volleyball Coach “Coach Roth will be an incredible leader of the volleyball program at Jacksonville and an impeccable mentor for their student athletes.  JU got a Coach whose determination and hard work in the volleyball world will be matched only by her dedication and commitment to her own student athletes.” Derek Schroeder, Jacksonville State Head Women’s Volleyball Coach

Jacksonville University Athletics announced the addition of Christin Norris as the new head coach of the Spirit programs in August 2022.   Norris joins JU after an extensive background as a performer, coach and judge in both cheer and dance.   “I’ve always loved dancing and performing in front of crowds,” said Norris. “I’m excited to help grow this program and create a larger presence for these athletes on campus and in the community.”   “We are thrilled to welcome Christin as the new head coach of our Spirit programs,” said Senior Vice President/Athletic Director Alex Ricker-Gilbert. “Coach Norris is an experienced leader in the industry and brings the right attitude and energy for our programs.   “She has performed at the highest levels of the sport and that first-hand experience will prepare our student-athletes for great success.”   Growing up as a dancer throughout her primary and secondary school years, she performed as a cheerleader on one of the largest stages in the world, serving as a member of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheer team in 2005. She’s a proud member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders Alumni and National Football Cheerleaders Alumni Organization.   She most recently has coached varsity cheerleading at Atlantic Coast High School, while also serving as Creative Pageant Director for both the Miss Atlantic Coast and Miss Fletcher high school pageants.    In her role at JU, she will oversee both the cheerleading and Sirens dance teams, preparing them for competitions and gameday performances.   A native of Jacksonville Beach, Norris attended Fletcher High School, before moving on to Florida State University, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s in English Education, and attended grad school at St. Leo, for a Master’s in Educational Leadership.

Lucas Strickland joins the program as a graduate assistant from Pitt, where he served as a student manager throughout his college career. “I’m looking forward to bringing my experience from Pitt to the Jacksonville program, and joining a staff who are so dedicated to the game of volleyball and upholding the highest standards within our team,” Strickland said. Strickland continues a pipeline from Pitt. Head coach Alicia Manguiat served as an assistant for the Panthers before taking the reins at JU, while associate head coach Peter Manguiat started his coaching career at Pitt. “I’m excited to be bringing Lucas onto our staff. We worked together at Pitt and I got to see his work ethic and dedication to the sport,” coach Manguiat said. “His talent and experience will be a tremendous asset as we continue to grow this program. We’re excited for the young and excited energy he brings!.” While Strickland was at Pitt, the Panthers made it to the Final Four every season. Since 2020, Pitt has won more games than any other program in the country with 142 victories. In addition to his managerial duties, Strickland earned his coaching stripes at Pitt camps last year. Strickland also served as the president of the men’s club volleyball team while at Pitt. He was an accomplished player himself, earning All-State honors in Pennsylvania as an outside hitter in 2021.