John Brown University Women's Volleyball

Biography Ken Carver begins his 12th season as head coach of the volleyball program after being named the seventh head coach in program history in May 2014. Guiding the program to a 222-124 (.642) record over eleven seasons, Carver led the John Brown to its best season (26 wins) in 2017 and then again in 2019, the most wins since the 2005 season (33). The Golden Eagles have made an appearance in the SAC semifinals in seven of his 11 seasons at the helm. Bolstered by a strong 22-9 record and a pair of top-25 victories, the Golden Eagles pieced together a landmark 2022 campaign that saw Carver lead the squad to the first-ever NAIA National Championships appearance in the program's then-49-year history. During his tenure at JBU, Carver has produced 51 All-Conference winners, 47 NAIA Scholar-Athletes, 43 SAC Players of the Week and 18 AVCA All-Region picks. The program has also earned the AVCA Team Academic and NAIA Scholar-Team accolades each of his 11 seasons. Carver wrapped up his eighth season as head coach at NCAA III Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, in 2013 as he took over the program in 2006. Through 2013, he became the winningest and longest-serving coach in the program's history. While at HPU, Carver amassed an overall record of 93-138 (.403) after taking over a program that posted a 5-24 record in 2005. He had coached 13 players that have garnered American Southwest Conference honors, including the ASC West Division's Freshman of the Year in 2008. The 2013 season set another program record when the Yellow Jackets began the campaign winners in nine of its first 11 contests. In 2013, Carver was also tasked with holding the responsibility of Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance, which included monitoring HPU's compliance with all American Southwest Conference and NCAA policies and procedures. Carver's teams at HPU excelled in the classroom as he oversaw a trio of teams that earned the American Volleyball Coaches' Association's Team Academic Award. His squads have also been active outside the classroom as Carver's 2007, 2008 and 2011 teams were named the ASC's SAAC Team Sportsmanship Award recipients while one player landed ASC Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year in 2008. Before his eight-year stint at Howard Payne, Carver spent three seasons as head coach at MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kan. His coaching path also includes stops at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Ill. and at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Ind., where he began his career as an assistant coach. Carver graduated cum laude in 1994 from Malone University in Canton, Ohio, and has pursued post-graduate studies in wellness management at Ball State University. He holds a Level One certification from USA Volleyball and has earned USA Volleyball's IMPACT certification. Carver resides in Siloam Springs with his wife, Jill, and their twin daughters, Avery and Kendall. Coaching History Year Overall Pct. SAC Pct. Postseason 12 Seasons 233-143 .620 142-78 .645 2014 22-11 .667 10-6 .625 SAC Quarterfinals 2015 22-15 .595 10-6 .625 SAC Semifinals 2016 21-12 .636 11-7 .611 SAC Semifinals 2017 26-7 .788 13-3 .813 SAC Semifinals 2018 16-15 .516 14-6 .700 SAC Quarterfinals 2019 26-8 .765 16-4 .800 SAC Semifinals 2020 11-4 .733 7-3 .700 SAC Quarterfinals 2021 18-16 .529 11-9 .550 SAC Semifinals 2022 22-10 .688 14-6 .700 SAC Semifinals • NAIA Opening Round 2023 22-11 .656 14-6 .700 SAC Quarterfinals 2024 17-15 .531 15-7 .682 SAC Semifinals 2025 11-19 .367 7-15 .318 THE CARVER FILE Hometown Massillon, Ohio Family Wife: Jill; Children: Avery and Kendall Education B.A. in Biology (Malone, 1994) ACCOLADES Led team to first NAIA National Championships appearance in program's 49-year history Produced one NAIA All-America selection Completed two 26-win seasons since 2017 – most wins since 2005 (33) Currently 74-24 (.755) inside Bill George Arena as bench boss Teams qualified for nine consecutive AVCA Team Academic Awards MILESTONES AT JBU First Victory: vs St. Thomas, 3-0 (Aug. 22, 2014) First vs SAC: vs Mid-America Christian, 3-1 (Sept. 19, 2014) First in SAC Tournament: vs Southwestern A.G., 3-0 (Nov. 7, 2015) First vs NAIA Top-25 Opponent: vs #21 Wayland Baptist, 3-1 (Sept. 26, 2014) Longest Win Streak: 10 (Sept. 7, 2019 – Oct. 8, 2019) 50th Win at JBU: vs Williams Baptist, 3-0 (Aug. 31, 2016) 100th Win at JBU: vs Southwestern Christian, 3-0 (Oct. 4, 2018)