Eastern Kentucky University’s Colonels volleyball head coach, Johnna Bazzani, has earned a spot on Volleyball Magazine’s prestigious College Coaching Hotshots List, an accolade reserved for the top coaches across NCAA Division I women’s, NCAA Division I-II men’s, and NCAA collegiate beach programs. Out of 50 exceptional coaches acknowledged, Bazzani stood out as one of the 11 NCAA Division I women’s head coaches on the Hotshots List, representing an exceptional achievement. Notably, she is the sole head coach from the Atlantic Sun Conference to receive this recognition.
Bazzani’s journey with EKU has been transformative, marked by a commitment to building a championship-caliber program. In her initial two seasons at the helm, EKU secured 11 victories. However, the recent two seasons witnessed a remarkable turnaround, with the Colonels clinching a combined total of 36 wins. This resurgence reached its pinnacle in the standout 2023 season, earning Bazzani the title of ASUN Conference Coach of the Year. The accomplishments during this remarkable season include:
- Program Milestones:
- 21 wins, tying the most since the 2005 season.
- A 13-match winning streak, matching the program’s longest in history.
- First national postseason tournament appearance since 2004 (2023 NIVC).
- First top-three conference finish since 2014.
- A program-record seven consecutive shutout victories.
- Individual Achievements:
- Four Colonels—Carson Ledford, Sarah Mitchell, Josie Schmitendorf, and AG Vandagriff—were honored with All-ASUN recognition for their outstanding performances in 2023.
- Ledford and Mitchell each earned ASUN Player of the Week twice, while Schmitendorf received ASUN Defensive Player of the Week three times.
- Noteworthy is that all four players were recruited through the traditional high school athlete recruitment process.
- Adaptability and Recruitment Success:
- Bazzani’s coaching prowess extends beyond traditional recruitment. She has demonstrated an ability to navigate the evolving landscape of college athletics by effectively utilizing the transfer portal.
- Key additions, Paige Wagers and Kambree Lucas, joined EKU ahead of the 2023 season, contributing significantly to the team’s success. Wagers played a vital role in blocks and hitting percentage, while Lucas showcased prowess in aces and kills.
Johnna Bazzani’s inclusion in the College Coaching Hotshots List is a testament to her leadership, strategic adaptability, and commitment to fostering success both individually and collectively within the EKU volleyball program. As she continues to shape the program’s trajectory, Bazzani stands out as a coaching luminary in collegiate volleyball. Follow EKU’s journey on social media for the latest updates on their pursuit of excellence in collegiate volleyball.