Trinity International University Women's Volleyball

Since taking over the women's program at Trinity International University in May of 2015, Head Coach Luke Ward has led the Trojans from just three wins in 2015, to 27 in 2019, improving their annual win total each of the first four seasons under Ward. With an 98-116 head coaching record with the women's team, Ward is the winningest volleyball coach in the program's 45 year history. TIU has qualified for the CCAC Tournament each of the last three seasons under Ward, reaching the semifinal round twice. The Trojans won their first NCCAA Regional Tournament championship in 2019, as part of back-to-back NCCAA Tournament appearances in 2018 and 2019. During the COVID-19 shortened season of 2020, Trinity finished with 17 victories, their third straight year of 17 or more wins. The Trojans also posted back-to-back 13 win seasons in conference play for the first time in program history and finished third in the regular season standings, their best overall finish in the CCAC since the team's last regular season championship in 2004. In 2019, the Trojan made a return trip to the NCCAA Tournament with a 27-13 record. In another landmark season for the program, TIU ranked 11th in the nation in digs, 15th in service aces, and 16th in assists. Trinity qualified for the CCAC Tournament once again and hosted the very first conference tournament match at Van Dixhorn Area, which resulted in a thrilling five-set win over the University of St. Francis. Despite falling in the conference tournament semifinals, the Trojans defeated Judson to win their first ever NCCAA North-Central Regional Championship to secure an automatic berth to the NCCAA Tournament. In 2018, Ward helped guide the volleyball program to an appearance in the NCCAA Tournament in Point Lookout, Missouri after a 24-18 regular season record. This was the first time in eight years that the volleyball team made a national tournament appearance. The Trojans also made the CCAC Tournament for the first time in seven seasons making the CCAC Tournament Semifinals. The 2018 squad ended the season ranked third overall in conference and fifth in the nation in total service aces. The volleyball team also won the CCAC Champions of Character Award in 2018.  With Ward at the helm, the volleyball program has produced ten All-CCAC and six NCCAA North-Central All-Region selections. Additionally, 18 CCAC, nine NCCAA, and four NAIA scholar-athletes have been honored for their academic success. The Trojans also earned NAIA Scholar-Team honors in 2015. Prior to arriving at Trinity, Ward worked as an assistant coach at Olivet Nazarene University, where the Tigers appeared in three consecutive CCAC Tournaments, including the 2014 championship match, which helped qualify ONU for the NAIA Tournament.  Ward has also worked with a number of volleyball clubs and previously owned First Contact Volleyball in Bourbonnais, Ill., for four years where he oversaw 12 coaches and as many as 100 athletes throughout the club. FCVs focus was development and building character and the club saw several athletes go on to play at the collegiate level as well as had a 16s team win an Asics National Championship in 2018.  Luke currently resides in Antioch, Illinois with wife Erin and his sons Nolan, Chase, and Adler. 

Kennedy Mang joined the TIU womens volleyball coaching staff in the fall of 2021. Mang grew up in Livonia, Michigan, attending Livonia Franklin High School just outside of Detroit. There she played on her high school team where she was named team captain during her senior season, earning the Tri-County Student-Athlete Hero Award. Kennedy also played club volleyball at Instant Replay, and was also named an AAU Academic All-American twice. After high school, Mang continued her playing career at Plymouth State University, an NCAA Division III institution in New Hampshire. As a Panther, Kennedy played as a setter, serving as team captain during her senior year and earning the 2018 Coachs Award. In addition to playing at Plymouth State, Mang also coached at the club level for the Lakes Region Volleyball Club in Center Harbor, New Hampshire for three years. As a club head coach, she led several different teams ranging from ages 15-18 to a number of tournament titles, most notably the 2016 U16 team that finished in the top five in all of New England. Mang graduated from Plymouth State in December of 2018 with a degree in exercise and psychological sciences, with a minor in coaching. Following graduation, Kennedy moved to Bowling Green, Kentucky, working full-time in the housing and residence life office at Western Kentucky University. While at WKU, she continued coaching volleyball at the club level in the area with the Barren River Area Volleyball Organization (BRAVO) for two years, working with the U13 team both seasons. Kennedy also assisted with BRAVOs beach volleyball program as well during that time. Kennedy most recently received a masters degree from WKU in recreation and sports administration in December 2020 with certification in intercollegiate athletic administration.