The University of Nevada hired Lee Nelson, a former Wolf Pack assistant coach and alum, as the head coach of the women's volleyball program on Jan. 12, 2015. He is entering his ninth year at the helm.
Nelson and his staff saw a large improvement in the 2019 season. The Pack finished the year, 17-13 and 7-11 in the Mountain West with key wins over Boise State, Utah State and Air Force. It was the first time under Nelson that the Pack won both the home and road contest over Boise State. The 2019 season also saw a win over San Diego State, the first time Nelson has beat the Aztecs in his career. Kayla Afoa earned All-Mountain West honors while also setting a new single season program record in attacks with 1283. Sydney Petersen, a middle blocker under Nelson, also broke a single season program record in block assists with 137.Â
The 2018 season saw Kayla Afoa earn All-Mountain West honorable mention honors after the Hawai'i native led the team with 16 double-doubles and 385 kills. Nelson navigated the team to a 5-1 record to start the season. In the 2017 campaign, Nelson saw sophomore Shayla Hoeft earn All-Mountain West honorable mention. He also guided the team to a victory over New Mexico for the first time in program history.
The Wolf Pack had its most successful year since joining the Mountain West in the second year of the Nelson era. He helped coach senior Madison Morell to all-conference honors. The team posted a 19-11 record, the most wins since the 2002 season. The Pack also won 10 conference games, the most victories against Mountain West opponents since joining the conference in 2012.
In his first season at the helm, Nelson led Nevada to its most successful campaign since 2010 when it went 13-17 overall. The Pack finished with a 12-18 overall record and a 7-11 conference mark for a seventh place finish in the Mountain West. The seven conference victories and seventh place finish in the league were both program bests since joining the MW in 2012.
On Oct. 3, Nelson helped lead the Wolf Pack to its first victory over a top 25 team since 2006 with a 3-2 win over No. 25 Wyoming. Madison Morell recorded 31 kills in the win which tied for second most kills in a match in program history. Morell flourished in her first season with Nelson as the Plano, Texas native earned All-Mountain West honors and entered the top 10 in kills, attacks, points and service aces in a single season. The 2015 season also saw seven of Nelson’s players named to the Academic All-MW honors.
Nelson came to Nevada after a strong three-year run as an assistant coach at the University of Miami where he helped lead the Hurricanes to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances. He previously served as a Wolf Pack assistant coach in 1999 and received his Master's degree from Nevada in history.
Nelson played collegiately at UC Santa Barbara from 1985-89 and helped the Gauchos to an appearance in the NCAA Championship match in 1988. He played professionally in Finland and The Netherlands before embarking on a coaching career that includes time at high school and club levels in addition to serving as an assistant coach for top men's and women's programs in the country.
Prior to his three-year run at Miami (2012-14), Nelson was the associate head coach of the men's program at UCSB for four years, which included an appearance in the NCAA Championship match in 2011. That was his second stint with the men's program at UCSB, having worked there from 1997-99 as well.
Nelson also served as an assistant for the women's program at UCSB in 2011. Nelson has also coached at Fresno State and Santa Barbara City College in addition to coaching club volleyball and at the high school level in his career.
During his previous stint at Nevada, Nelson coached a number of all-conference selections including Kelli LaBossiere and Nevada Hall of Famers Suzanne Stonebarger and Michelle More
"I met a number of members of the Wolf Pack family and a recurring theme was how excited they were to be at Nevada," Nelson said. "Their excitement was contagious and I can't wait to get back to Reno, roll up my sleeves and start working towards getting the Wolf Pack to the top of the Mountain West.
During his collegiate playing days, he was a teammate of Miami head coach Jose "Keno" Gandara. In 1989, he ranked third in the country in hitting percentage. Nelson was invited to the USA National Team tryouts in 1986 and 1989.
Nelson, a native of Santa Barbara, graduated from UCSB in 1991 with a bachelor's degree with a double major in history and environmental studies.
