Kelly Barzak became the Allegheny volleyball head coach in April of 2017 when she replaced Bridget Sheehan, who retired in March 2017 after a 30-year career with the Gators.
Barzak arrived at Allegheny after spending the three seasons in the same position at her alma mater of Thiel College.
A native of Warren, Ohio, Barzak was named head coach at Thiel prior to the 2014 season. Inheriting a team that won just three matches in the season prior to her arrival, she led the Tomcats to 14 wins in her first year, including a 10-8 mark in Presidents' Athletic Conference play and a trip to the conference semifinals. In all, Barzak coached five players who earned All-PAC honors during her tenure at Thiel, while she was responsible for a number of administrative duties. She successfully coordinated fundraising efforts that raised over $25,000 for her team's trip to Costa Rica in 2016, while her teams also thrived academically, posting a cumulative GPA of 3.50 as she oversaw a number of academic initiatives, including tutoring sessions, classroom checks, and regular academic meetings. A successful recruiter, Barzak brought in 21 volleyball student-athletes during her three-year tenure, as she attended and worked a multitude of clinics, camps, and showcases across the area.
In addition to her position as head women's volleyball coach, Barzak served as an assistant coach for the Tomcat men's volleyball team from August 2014-May 2016, while she was Thiel's game contract manager and athletic facility coordinator, overseeing the scheduling all events in the school's gymnasium. She also was a member of Thiel's faculty in the physical education department, teaching classes in archery, volleyball, and basketball.
Barzak began her collegiate coaching career at Muskingum University in August 2013 as a graduate assistant. She assisted in all aspects of the program, including practice planning, player development, in-game strategy, and recruiting.
Prior to her time at Muskingum, Barzak served as head coach for Club Gold South in New Concord, Ohio in 2013, while she worked Volleyball Spike Fest in July 2013, and numerous basketball and volleyball camps throughout her undergraduate years.
A 2013 Thiel graduate, Barzak is one of the most accomplished two-sport athletes in Tomcat athletic history, as she was a four-time All-PAC selection in both volleyball and basketball. In volleyball, the middle hitter graduated as Thiel's all-time leader in both career kills (1,292) and hitting percentage (.352), and was named CoSIDA Academic All-America following her senior season.
On the basketball court, Barzak is Thiel's all-time career leader with 288 blocked shots, while she ranks fourth in team history with 1,401 career points, and sixth with 773 career rebounds. As she did with volleyball, she also earned CoSIDA Academic All-District and All-America honors following her senior basketball campaign.
Barzak, who served as president of Thiel's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee as a senior, earned a B.A. in Elementary Education in 2013, graduating with honors and as a member of the Alpha Chi and Les Lauriers Honor Societies. She then went on to earn a Master of Arts in Education from Muskingum in May 2016, finishing with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
Allegheny Career Coaching Highlights
2024
- NCAA Tournament Appearance
- PAC Champions
- PAC Coach of the Year
- PAC Player of the Year: Dagney Javes
- PAC Defensive Player of the Year: Jacy Diaz
- Five All-PAC Selections: Angelee Bawek (1st), Jacy Daiz (1st), Dagney Javes (1st), Meagan Robare (1st), Duru Akbas (HM)
- ECAC Defensive Player of the Year: Jacy Diaz
- Two All-ECAC Selections: Jacy Diaz (1st), Dagney Javes (2nd)
2023
- ECAC Tournament Champions
- PAC Semifinals Appearance
- PAC Defensive Player of the Year (Jacy Diaz)
- Three All-PAC Selections: Jacy Diaz (1st), Dagney Javes (2nd), Emma Chambers (HM)
- Second Most Aces in a Season (284)
- One All-ECAC Selection: Jacy Diaz (2nd)
2022
- PAC Tournament Appearance
- 10 match winning streak
- All-PAC: India McCruter (1st), Jacy Diaz (2nd), Kendall Crum (HM), Dagney Javes (HM)
- Four CoSIDA Academic All-District: Emma Chambers, Kendall Crum, India McCruter, Meagan Robare
2021
- NCAC Tournament appearance
- All-NCAC: India McCruter (HM)
2019
- All-NCAC: Rebecca MacQuarrie
- AVCA Team Academic Award
2018
- All-NCAC: Rachel Slotterback
2017
