ELON, N.C. – Elon volleyball coach Mary Tendler has announced the hire of Kilee Goetz as an assistant coach for Phoenix volleyball for the upcoming season. A 2007 graduate of Western Michigan University, Goetz comes to Elon after serving as an assistant coach at Samford during the 2008-2010 seasons. In her role with the Elon volleyball program, Goetz will work primarily with the setters and assist in recruiting duties. 

“I am very excited to join the Elon University family,” said Goetz. “I am eager to work with Coach Tendler and grow in many ways as a trainer, mentor and person. I look forward to adding to my strengths and being part of a program as it continues to grow into a consistent champion, while also producing great young women.”

In three seasons as an assistant at Samford University, Goetz helped coach the Bulldogs to two Southern Conference North Division titles in 2008 and 2009. She has coached two all-freshman team members, three first team all-conference members, the 2010 freshman of the year, the 2008 conference player of the year and one AVCA All-American. In 2008, under the guidance of Goetz, Samford’s setter finished the season ranked second in the nation in assists per game.

“We are excited to have Kilee join our staff,” added Tendler. “Not only does she bring experience, but she brings experience in the Southern Conference. She knows what type of athletes we need to recruit to stay atop the North Division and earn a trip to the NCAA Tournament. Her upbeat, outgoing personality will be noticed right away. It also won’t take long to realize that she is a relentless worker that is very dedicated to the sport of volleyball.”

Before her stint at Samford, Goetz served as head coach at Kalamazoo Central High School in Kalamazoo, Mich., from 2005-2008. When Goetz inherited the program, the team had only seen five wins as a very large inner-city program. She coached the team to an impressive 40 wins in her first season. After Goetz’s second season, the team finished with an honorable mention state ranking. Goetz also helped several players move on to collegiate programs, including a current Butler University AVCA Honorable Mention All-American.

A native of Blissfield, Mich., Goetz has worked and coached at a number of camps and volleyball clubs throughout her career. Most recently, she served as head coach of the Alabama Juniors Volleyball Club in Hoover, Ala.

Goetz spent four seasons playing at the University of Georgia in Athens, Ga., where she was the starting setter as a freshman. She was also a two-time high school All-American while playing for The American Athlete/USA Michigan under Rob Buck.

Goetz joins Tendler’s staff that includes seventh-year assistant coach Hal Clifton and second-year volunteer coach Tina Readling.

-- ELON --