Owens Community College Women's Volleyball

Lewis led the team to a 40-7 overall record (14-0 OCCAC), an OCCAC championship, a Region XII tournament championship and a ninth place finish at the NJCAA Division II national tournament. The team achieved an 18 match winning streak at one point that featured just six set losses over that stretch. Following the season, he was named the OCCAC Coach of the Year and Region XII Coach of the Year. This 2014 season a special one for Lewis as the team captured his 500th win at Owens with a straight set win over Lorain County Community College on Oct. 22. The team finished the season 34-11 overall and 12-2 in OCCAC play (2nd Place). He guided the team to the Region XII District E loser's bracket finals before falling to No. 6 Columbus State. In 2013, the Owens volleyball team finished 22-21 overall and 8-4 in OCCAC play (3rd place). They advanced to the Region XII District E loser's bracket semifinals before losing to St. Clair County in their third match of the day. In 2012, the Express went 37-11 overall. They captured the program's 13th OCCAC championship with a perfect 12-0 record, the Region XII District E championship and advanced to the NJCAA D-II National Tournament, where they finished fourth in the nation. It was the best finish in program history at the NJCAA D-II level. This came following a 45-5 season in 2011, where the Express won the OCCAC title with a perfect conference record and finished as the Region XII District E runner-up to Oakland Community College, who went on to finish as the national runner-up. The team set program records for fewest losses and best winning percentage (.900), and their win total was one short of the 46 win single season record set by the 2000 and 2002 teams. With the team's victory over No. 20 Carl Sandburg College in 2011, Lewis earned his 400th victory at Owens. From 2010-12, Lewis guided the Express to a 124-25 record overall and a 35-1 record in OCCAC play. Lewis has led the program to 12 OCCAC championships. He has been named OCCAC Coach of the Year eight times, district coach of the year four times, and his teams have made four trips to the national tournament, including three in the past six years. While at Owens, Lewis has coached three NJCAA Div. II First Team Athletic All-Americans (Macy Reigelsperger, 2015; Dakia Sellers, 2012; and Ashley Hill, 2004), five NJCAA Div. II Second Team Athletic All-Americans, and four NJCAA Div. II Honorable Mention Athletic All-Americans, including Brooke Gyori in 2015. He has also coached a two-time All-American twice (Brittany Egbert, 2010-11 and Stephanie Champine, 2006-07). Moreover, Lewis has coached 14 NJCAA Div. II Academic All-Americans entering the 2013-14 season. In addition to nationally honored student-athletes, Lewis has coached 67 All-OCCAC student-athletes and 11 OCCAC Player of the Year student-athletes, including 2015 recipient Macy Reigelsperger and two-time winners Stephanie Champine (2006-07) and Brittany Egbert (2010-11). At the region level, Lewis has coached 37 All-Region XII players, including Region XII Player of the Year Macy Reigelsperger in 2015 and Ceara Barr in 2005, as well as 26 Region XII All-Tournament team selections. Of those 26, three have been named tournament MVP (Reigelsperger in 2015, Egbert in 2010 and Alyssa Meis in 2012). Academically, Lewis has coached 53 OCCAC All-Academic team student-athletes through 2014-15. Lewis has also coached 25 student-athletes who have moved on to four-year schools after their time with the Express, including Reigelsperger (NCAA D-I University of Tennessee Martin, Erika Hartings (NCAA Division II Francis Marion University and Taylor Purcell (NAIA Madonna University) in 2015. Prior to that, 2012 graduate Molly Hilfinger moved on to NCAA Division II Ursuline College, where she had 951 assists as a senior in 2014. Prior to assuming the head coaching duties at Owens, Lewis served as the head volleyball coach at Springfield High School in Holland, Ohio. In 22 seasons, he won 373 matches and seven Northern Lakes League, 15 sectional, six district and two regional championships. Two of his Blue Devil teams played in the state semifinals. Lewis won numerous coach of the year honors at the high school level, including seven in the NLL and six in District 7. He twice was named Ohio High School Volleyball Coaches Association Coach of the Year and was tabbed once as Ohio Coach of the Year by the National Federation Interscholastic Coaches Association. Lewis is a member of the Ohio High School Volleyball Coaches Hall of Fame and Springfield Hall of Fame. Residing in Toledo, he earned his bachelor's degree in comprehensive social studies from Defiance College in 1970.

Lou O’Brien joins the volleyball coaching staff as an assistant coach, bringing a strong playing background and passion for the game. She competed collegiately at the University of Rio Grande after a successful high school career at Northview High School, where she was a three-year varsity volleyball letterwinner. Her experience as both a high school and collegiate student-athlete has shaped her approach to the game and her commitment to player development.   She has worked with athletes at the club and youth levels, helping support their development and love for the game. Lou continues to play and compete in adult volleyball leagues and tournaments throughout the Toledo area, staying active in the sport and connected to the local volleyball community.   Lou is excited to share her knowledge, experience, and passion for the game with our student-athletes. She is committed to helping players develop their skills, confidence, and character while contributing to the continued growth and success of the volleyball program.