Eastern Nazarene College Director of Athletics Brad Zarges announced the hiring of Kaylee Hewitt as the new head men’s and women’s volleyball coach.

Hewitt becomes the first men’s volleyball head coach in school history as ENC will add varsity men’s volleyball at the start of the 2016-2017 academic year. She is also the eighth head women’s volleyball coach in program history.

“It is with pure excitement that we announce the addition of Kaylee Hewitt to our staff as the new coach of the women’s and men’s volleyball programs," Zarges said. "Kaylee combines excellent relational skills with a fiercely competitive spirit. That was evident in her success as a player and as an assistant coach at Mount Vernon Nazarene [University], where she was mentored by Coach Paul Swanson, one of the great coaches at any level of volleyball. More importantly, the desire to connect her passion for Christ and for coaching to impact the lives of student-athletes is a perfect match for Eastern Nazarene College and ENC Athletics.”

Jeff Kirksey, vice president of Student Development, also welcomed Hewitt.

“We are thrilled to have Kaylee Hewitt join the ENC community," he said. " Coach Hewitt demonstrates not only a strong skill set to build upon our volleyball programs but the vision and experience to equip student-athletes to live into their faith as they prepare to lead and serve in the world."

Hewitt comes to ENC after a two-year stint as a graduate assistant coach at her alma mater, Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Mount Vernon, Ohio.

She helped guide the Cougars to a Crossroads League Conference regular-season title and an NAIA National Tournament appearance in 2015. Her duties at Mount Vernon Nazarene included recruiting players, practice planning, arranging travel plans, academic support, leading team meetings, and advising the head coach with in-game strategies.

“I feel as though ENC has made a bold and wise choice in hiring Kaylee Hewitt as their new women's and men's volleyball coach," said Paul Swanson, head volleyball coach at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. "Kaylee is 100 percent ready to be a head coach. She is a bright, innovative, and relational coach. She has a heart to keep Jesus Christ at the center of her program and that will fit well at ENC."

Along with her coaching duties at Mount Vernon, she has coached with the Buckeye Volleyball Club based out of Westerville, Ohio, since 2014. Hewitt serves as the head coach with the club’s 16’s Americans team and 17’s Elite team, which is ranked second in the Ohio Valley region.

Originally from Alanson, Michigan, Hewitt earned her Bachelor of Arts in education from Mount Vernon in 2013 and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in education with an emphasis on intervention at Mount Vernon Nazarene.

As a player for the Cougars, Hewitt was a four-year starter on the court and ranks in the program’s top-10 in service receptions (3,219) and digs (2,122). She led Mount Vernon to two American Mid-East Conference championships and two National Christian College Athletic Association National Tournament appearances.

"I am very excited and thankful for the opportunity to join Eastern Nazarene's Athletic Department staff," Hewitt said. "I love the vision ENC has for their teams, and hope to see that vision fulfilled during my time as the men's and women's volleyball coach. I'm looking forward to starting a new men's program and determined to establish a new environment and standard for the women's program. Ultimately, I am ready for a change and excited to be part of what ENC has to offer." 

--Eastern Nazarene College