Pacific Lutheran University Women's Volleyball

Kevin Aoki, who has led Pacific Lutheran to 12 Northwest Conference championships (1999, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018 and 2023), has posted a 510-230 record in 29 years as head coach at his alma mater. Since taking over the PLU coaching job in 1996, Aoki has been named NWC Coach of the Year 11 times (1999, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2018, and 2023) and the AVCA West Region Coach of the Year three times (1999, 2004 and 2007). His 2023 squad won the NWC regular season with a perfect 16-0 record before capturing the inaugural NWC Tournament title. The 2023 Lutes tied a school record by winning 19 consecutive matches, advancing to the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament. The 2023 campaign was the third time under Aoki's direction that the Lutes won the conference title with a perfect 16-0 record.  The Hawai'i native came to the Pacific Lutheran volleyball program in the fall of 1996 with a wealth of high school coaching experience. He led the Bethel High School program for 12 seasons, with nine of his teams qualifying for the state tournament. Aoki received his bachelor's degree in physical education in 1984 from Pacific Lutheran University. While attending PLU, Aoki served as volunteer assistant coach of the women's volleyball program in 1983. He also played on the Lute men's club team. He earned his master's in Educational Technology from City University in 1995. In high school, Aoki attended Iolani School in Honolulu, where as a defensive specialist he helped his team to a second-place finish in the boys' prep state volleyball tournament. Aoki also serves as co-advisor for the Hawaiian Club.  Aoki, his wife Bethany (a PLU graduate) and their sons, Aiden and Brennan, live in Puyallup. Career Coaching Record Overall Conference Year School W L PCT W L PCT Place Postseason Notes 1996 PLU 15 16 .484 9 7 .563 4th (tie) 1997 PLU 12 17 .414 6 10 .375 6th 1998 PLU 13 13 .500 9 7 .563 4th 1999 PLU 20 6 .769 13 3 .813 1st 1-1 at NCAA West Regionals 2000 PLU 14 11 .560 9 7 .563 4th 2001 PLU 17 7 .708 10 6 .625 4th (tie) 2002 PLU 16 8 .667 10 6 .625 4th 2003 PLU 21 5 .808 13 3 .813 2nd 2004 PLU 17 7 .708 15 1 .938 1st 1-1 at NCAA West Regionals 2005 PLU 14 9 .609 11 5 .688 4th 2006 PLU 20 7 .741 14 2 .875 1st (tie) 0-1 at NCAA West Regionals 2007 PLU 23 4 .852 16 0 1.000 1st 0-1 at NCAA West Regionals 2008 PLU 20 7 .741 14 2 .875 1st 0-1 at NCAA West Regionals 2009 PLU 20 7 .741 16 0 1.000 1st 0-1 at NCAA West Regionals 2010 PLU 19 7 .731 13 3 .813 2nd (tie) 2011 PLU 21 6 .778 13 3 .813 2nd 0-1 at NCAA West Regionals 2012 PLU 20 6 .769 14 2 .875 1st 0-1 at NCAA West Regionals 2013 PLU 19 6 .760 15 1 .938 1st 0-1 at NCAA West Regionals 2014 PLU 21 5 .808 14 2 .875 1st (tie) 0-1 at NCAA West Regionals 2015 PLU 18 7 .720 12 4 .750 2nd 2016 PLU 13 11 .541 11 5 .688 2nd 2017 PLU 21 5 .808 14 2 .875 1st 1-1 at NCAA West Regionals 2018 PLU 21 4 .840 14 2 .875 1st 0-1 at NCAA West Regionals 2019 PLU 17 11 .607 10 6 .625 2nd 2020-21 PLU 8 4 .667 8 4 .667 -- 2021 PLU 16 9 .640 13 3 .813 2nd 2022 PLU 15 9 .625 10 6 .625 3rd (tie) 2023 PLU 20 8 .714 16 0 1.000 1st 2-0 at NWC Tournament; 1-1 at NCAA Regionals 2024 PLU 19 8 .704 13 3 .813 2nd 1-1 at NWC Tournament Totals 510 230 .689 355 105 .772 4-13 at NCAA West Regionals