Jenny Glenn - Metro State
Jenny Glenn has taken one of the most successful volleyball programs in Division II history to unprecedented heights during her eight years as the Roadrunners' head coach.
Heading into the 2024 season, she has compiled an overall record of 191-47 (.803 winning percentage), including a staggering mark of 125-9 in regular-season RMAC play for a .933 winning percentage. Over the past four seasons, MSU Denver is 98-15 overall (.867) and 60-2 in the RMAC (.968), following a three-season (2020 through 2022) run in which the Roadrunners were 73-8 overall (.901) and 47-1 in the RMAC (.979). Glenn's overall winning percentage and conference winning percentage are the best in the program's history. MSU Denver has spent nine weeks ranked No. 1 in Division II (four weeks in 2022, five weeks in 2021) by the American Volleyball Coaches' Association, was No. 3 in the final poll in both 2021 and 2022, and finished at No. 4 in 2020. The Roadrunners, No. 7 in the final 2023 poll, have been ranked in the top 10 in 39 consecutive polls, as was as 51 of the last 53, heading into the 2024 season.
In 2023, Glenn led MSU Denver to the South Central Regional final for the third consecutive season, but once again fell victim to West Texas A&M, this time in five sets in Canyon, Texas. It was MSU Denver's 23rd straight NCAA Tournament appearance. The Roadrunners won their third straight RMAC regular-season title by going 13-1 after posting back-to-back unbeaten league seasons. MSU Denver also reached the RMAC Tournament semifinal for the eighth consecutive season. The Roadrunners won their first eight RMAC matches to extend their streak of regular-season league wins to a conference-record 48 before losing 3-1 at CSU Pueblo on Oct. 21 in their eighth match away from home out of nine. For the second straight season, MSU Denver defeated the eventual national champion (Cal State Los Angeles in 2023, West Texas A&M in 2022) in a regular-season match. Glenn was named RMAC Coach of the Year for the fourth time, including three times in a row.
Annika Stephens - South Dakota School of Mines
After volunteering as an assistant for two seasons, Annika Stephens was named the lead assistant coach on March 4, 2022.
In 2023, Stephens helped guide the Hardrockers to its best Division II season in history, winning 18 games, qualifying for the RMAC playoffs, hosting a Playoff game and advancing to the semifinals, all first for the program.
Alessandra Meoni became the second All-American in Division II program in 2023 under Stephens guidance.
In two seasons, Stephens has helped guide 8 players to earn all-conference honors, with Ivy Vinidich earning RMAC Freshman of the year in 2023, while Jacey Koethe became the first ever All-RMAC First team selection in 2022.
Stephens played volleyball at Dakota State University, earning her bachelor’s degree in business administration (2016).
Lauren Torvi Prochazka - South Dakota School of Mines
The 2024 RMAC Volleyball Coach of the Year is entering her 8th season at the helm of Hardrocker Volleyball. In seven seasons, Prochazka has successfully rebuilt the program, taking over a team that had won 1 match the season prior to her arrival to a team that has qualified for the RMAC playoffs four times and is coming off another best Division II season in school history.
CAREER AT A GLANCE
Prochazka was named the 12th head coach in Hardrocker volleyball history on May 9, 2018.
Prochazka owns a career head coaching record of 121-121.
After starting from the bottom, Prochazka has led South Dakota Mines to a 59-49 record over the past four seasons from 2021-2024.
All three of South Dakota Mines RMAC Playoff qualifying teams have been under Prochazka's directions, qualify in three of the past four seasons and playing in two straight.
Under Prochazka's Direction, Hannah Benes was named RMAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2024 and Ivy Vindivich was named RMAC Freshman of the Year in 2023.
Led the Hardrockers to its best Division II season, going 18-9, hosting an RMAC playoff match for the 2nd year in a row.
On November 3, 2023, Prochazka picked up her 100th career head coaching win in a sweep over Colorado Christian.
Prochazka led the University of Minnesota Morris for two years, compiling a 42-23 record, including a program record 26-8 season in 2017.
In her time leading Minnesota Morris, Prochazka led the program to back-to-back Upper Midwest Athletic Conference Championship appearances.
Bobby Blanken - Colorado Christian
2017 was Bobby Blanken's first season as Colorado Christian's Head Volleyball Coach. In his first year, Coach Blanken led the team to a conference record of 14-4 which landed a 4th place conference finish which allowed the program to host an RMAC Tournament match for the first time.
During his seasons with the Cougars he has coached many all-conference players as well as an All-Region and All-American player in Sophia Proano. He has qualified the Cougars for the RMAC Tournament in seven of his first eight seasons.
Before Colorado Christian, Blanken served as MSU Denver's Head Assistant Coach since 2014. In his three-year stint at MSU Denver, Blanken helped lead a very successful program that went 18-0 in the RMAC in 2016.
Prior to coaching at MSU Denver, Blanken was the Head Women’s Volleyball Coach at The Master’s College in Santa Clarita, CA from 2010-2014. During his time at The Master’s College, Blanken successfully built the program from a 7-22 first year record to a No. 6 NAIA finish in his final year. Blanken was named the 2012 AVCA West Region Coach of the Year and 2012 Golden State Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. At The Master's College, Blanken totaled a record of 87-56 (.608).
Nick Sepulveda - Northwest Missouri State
Nick Sepulveda will serve as an assistant coach for the Bearcat volleyball squad.
Sepulveda recently completed a two-year stint as a graduate assistant men's volleyball coach at William Penn University. Sepulveda earned his Master’s of Sports Management degree at William Penn.
At William Penn, the Statesmen reached the national semifinals in 2024. He helped guide the squad to the 2024 co-regular season title in the Heart of America Conference. In his time at William Penn, Sepulveda coached five all-Americans, five all-conference performers, the conference player of the year and the league's middle blocker of the year.
Sepulveda is a 2021 graduate of Judson University with a degree in Exercise and Sport Science. He competed in men’s volleyball for four years at JU and was part of the first team in program history.
Sepulveda, who played prep ball at Maine West High School in Illinois, has previous coaching experience with the Sky High Volleyball Club’s beach and indoor teams.
Sepulveda is a native of Des Plaines, Ill.
Edgar Miraku - Central Oklahoma
Edgar Miraku, 302-93 (12 seasons)
Edgar Miraku has built the Central Oklahoma program into a consistent winner and perennial national contender during a sensational career with the Bronchos.
UCO has been one of the winningest programs in NCAA Division II with Miraku at the helm, having compiled a stellar 302-93 record the last 12 seasons. He reached the 300-win mark in the first game of the 2024 NCAA Division II Women's Volleyball Championship Central Regional, which UCO won for the first time in school history.
Miraku has guided the Bronchos to 25-plus wins seven times, with the 2015, 2016, and 2024 teams each eclipsing the 30-win mark.
Miraku has coached 14 All-Region picks by nine players and 13 All-America awards by eight players, with Taylor Bevis becoming the first three-time All-American in program history in 2018. For UCO, 12 of the 13 All-America selections in school history have come under Miraku’s guidance.
Miraku has had 68 All-MIAA honors during his tenure. The Bronchos have excelled in the classroom as well during Edgar’s tenure, with 79 recognitions on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll.
UCO joined the MIAA in Edgar’s first year at the controls in 2012 and went 13-18. The Bronchos made a big jump the next season, finishing fourth in the league and winning a first-round match in the MIAA Post-season Tournament in a 24-10 campaign that marked the winningest season since 2007.
Central continued its upward climb under Miraku in 2014, putting together a fabulous 28-5 record. UCO beat three teams ranked in the top 15 nationally -- including first-ever wins over league rivals Central Missouri and Nebraska-Kearney -- in finishing third in the conference, but were denied a national tournament berth.
Miraku guided the Bronchos to a fantastic 31-5 campaign in 2015, ripping off 16 straight wins during one stretch. UCO captured the rugged MIAA championship
