Kelly Barzak ’13 is entering her third season as head coach of the Thiel College women’s volleyball team in 2016-17. She was named Thiel College's Game Contract Manager in January of 2016.
Barzak led the Tomcats to a 14-17 overall record in 2014 and a 10-8 mark in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference, which was good enough to earn the fourth seed in the PAC Championship Tournament and first-round hosting rights where the Tomcats earned a win over the Westminster Titans. Thiel went on to fall 3-1 in the conference semifinals to Thomas More, the eventual league champion.
Three of Barzak’s players earned All-PAC recognition in 2014, including seniors Alex Hall and Lauren Downs and freshman Veronica Brueggman.
Barzak was a two-sport star at Thiel, earning numerous awards in volleyball and basketball throughout her career. She was also an award-winner in the classroom and in leadership roles during her collegiate career.
Barzak served as a graduate assistant coach for Muskingum University’s women’s volleyball team in 2013-14 while pursuing a master’s degree in education. She assisted in daily operations of Muskingum’s women’s volleyball team, which included administrative, player development and recruiting duties.
Prior to her time at Muskingum, Barzak served as head coach for Club Gold South 16U in New Concord, Ohio for five months in 2013. She also worked Volleyball Spike Fest in July of 2013 and multiple basketball camps from 2010-12.
Barzak was a four-year letter winner and starter for Thiel’s volleyball and basketball teams. She left as Thiel’s all-time women’s volleyball leader in kills (1,292) and blocks (449). She was also the 12th player in Thiel women’s basketball history to score 1,000 points, finishing her career as the program’s third all-time leading scorer (1,401).
Barzak was a four-time All-Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) First Team volleyball selection as well as a four-time All-PAC basketball honoree. During her senior season, she became the first Thiel women’s basketball player to be named to the Capital One Academic All-America Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). She was also named to the Capital One Academic All-America Third Team in volleyball, as selected by CoSIDA.
Barzak graduated Summa Cum Laude from Thiel and served as her senior class commencement speaker. She was named to the Dean’s List eight times, earning the Dean’s Key. Barzak was a member of Alpha Chi, Les Lauriers, Lambda Sigma, Kappa Delta Pi and Chi Alpha Sigma honoraries. She also served as the president of Thiel’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and her senior class vice president.
