SURPRISE, Ariz. – Ottawa University Arizona director of athletics Kevin Steele announced that Haleigh Carvalho has been named the first head coach in OUAZ women's beach volleyball history. She comes to Surprise after serving as the graduate assistant volleyball coach at Lee University in Tennessee; an NCAA Division II school.
 
"It is a privilege to have Haleigh (Carvalho) as the head coach of our newest program at OUAZ," said Steele. "Haleigh has all of the tools to be a fantastic beach volleyball coach and has proven throughout her career that she knows how to work with purpose to achieve great goals. Haleigh was an incredibly accomplished player both indoors and in the sand, and has added great experience in coaching from excellent clubs in southern California to universities across the nation."
 
Steele continued, "More importantly, Haleigh loves using the sport of beach volleyball as a great tool in mentoring young ladies as they navigate the incredible time that makes up the college experience. Her love for people outweighs her love of the sport and for me that is the perfect perspective to have in creating a quality program from the ground up."
 
In her two seasons at Lee University, the Flames went 35-25. Prior to joining Lee University, Carvalho coached at Irvine Valley College (Calif.) after finishing up a storied playing career at Long Beach State University and Clemson University. At Long Beach State she earned a starting spot as true freshman and was named to the Big West Conference's all-freshman team. She later went on to be named an NCAA All-American and finished her career at Clemson where she joined the exclusion 1,000 kill club, ending with 1,002 career kills.
 
"I couldn't be more thrilled and I am so honored to be a part of the OUAZ family and to be given this opportunity to mentor young women and help continue to grow the game of beach volleyball," said Coach Carvalho. "I want to thank Chancellor (Kevin) Eichner, Provost Dennis Tyner, and Director of Athletics Kevin Steele for giving me the privilege to be at the helm of this sport."
 
Carvalho will be joined at OUAZ with her husband Bryan, who will serve as her assistant coach. He was the women's volleyball assistant coach at Lee University and will now serve in a similar capacity here at OUAZ.
 
"My husband Bryan Carvalho will come on as my assistant coach," said head coach Haleigh Carvalho. "He has been coaching for the last 15 years in both sand and indoor and has a wealth of knowledge and wisdom at the college level. He will take on the role of recruiting coordinator and will oversee skills training. He has an amazing heart for the Lord and the game of volleyball and was made to coach and impact young women at such a crucial part of their lives. I can't think of anyone better than Bryan to work with, share this experience with and to build a program from the ground up. OUAZ is better for having Bryan on staff."
 
The couple resides in Surprise with their beautiful daughter, Kaia. Coach Carvalho has already hit the recruiting trail, as she looks for commits for the 2018-19 season.
 
"We are looking for athletes that fit the vision of the University," said Carvalho. "Our recruits will understand Ottawa's core culture, they will also be skilled players that understand the game well and athletes that love to compete."
 
The beach volleyball season runs February through May.
 
   
 
 
About Ottawa University
Founded in 1865, Ottawa University prepares professional and liberal arts graduates for lifetimes of personal significance, vocational fulfillment and service to God and humanity within a Christ-inspired community of grace and open inquiry. Ottawa University is a comprehensive, not-for-profit educational institution serving 3,000 students through its residential campuses in Ottawa, Kan., and Surprise, Ariz., and adult campuses in Overland Park, Kan.; Phoenix, Queen Creek and Surprise, Ariz.; Brookfield, Wis.; Jeffersonville, Ind.; as well as online. For more information, visit www.ottawa.edu. 
 
For more information about OUAZ athletics, visit http://www.ottawa.edu/ouaz/athletics. Follow OUAZ athletics on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OUAZSpiritAthletics/ and on Twitter twitter.com/OUAZSpirit.