LEXINGTON, Ky. --- Tusculum University men's volleyball head coach Bryan Buckius has been named a 2022 recipient of the American Volleyball Coaches Association's "Thirty-Under 30" Award.
The AVCA "Thirty Under 30" Award honors up-and-coming volleyball coaching talent at all levels of the sport. Nominees must be 30 years old or younger, be active AVCA members and currently coaching volleyball.
Buckius is coming off his inaugural Tusculum campaign where he led the Pioneers to a school record eight wins and a fifth-place finish at last month's Independent Volleyball Association Tournament. He took over the program in January and in less than a month, led TU to a three-win improvement while facing a challenging schedule which included three matches against teams who advanced to the NCAA Championship Tournament.
The Pioneers finished eighth in the nation averaging 1.65 service aces per set, led by senior setter Shaun Kampshoff. Kampshoff posted 0.58 aces per set, which were third-best in the country. He was also 28th in NCAA Division I in assists per set (8.65 aps). Both Kampshoff and junior Jake Whyte were named to the Off the Block All-Independent second team.
"This is a tremendous honor for Coach Buckius and the Tusculum family is very proud of him," said Doug Jones, TU vice president for athletics and university initiatives. "Bryan took over our men's volleyball program and did a great job within very short period of time and has Pioneer volleyball poised for bright future."
Buckius has a decade of volleyball coaching experience including five years at the NCAA level most recently at King University as an assistant coach. He worked with both the men's and women's programs and his duties included recruiting, scheduling, financial management, fundraising and practice organization.
Prior to King, he served on the coaching staff at Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania from 2018-2021. He was an assistant coach for both the men's and women's programs, while also serving as the Director of Operations and the recruiting coordinator for the men's team which he was the ground floor in starting.
"I am very humbled and honored to receive this recognition. I have always had a love for the sport and for helping others," said Buckius. "I feel that coaching gives me the opportunity to make an impact on my student-athletes, both on and off the court. I want to help them succeed in their career goals and aspirations."
While at Elizabethtown, the two programs combined for a 69-53 overall record. During his time with the Blue Jays, seven student-athletes earned All-Conference recognition including one Landmark Conference Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year. The Elizabethtown programs earned three AVCA Academic Team Awards and 11 players garnered Continental Volleyball Conference All-Academic laurels.
"I have been influenced by so many coaches in the business, especially Alex Hinsey and Ric See. Alex (women's head coach at The University of Mary Washington) has been a great mentor and friend since I began coaching at the collegiate level. Ric hired me for my first coaching job as his assistant coach in 2014 and has mentored me as I progressed from the high school level to where I am today."
Buckius' club coaching experience includes: Yorktowne Volleyball Club and Spooky Nook Volleyball Academy. While with Yorktowne, the program finished ninth at the USAV Boys Junior National Championship with a 22-2 overall record.
Buckius has spent time as a private lesson instructor and a court coach at volleyball camps across the east coast including Nike Volleyball Camps, College Coaches Showcase Camps, and Exact Volleyball Showcase Camps.
He graduated with honors from Millersville University of Pennsylvania with a degree in business administration.
"I want to thank my amazing wife Ashley for all her love and support as we embarked upon this amazing journey," added Buckius.
2022 AVCA Thirty Under 30 Award honorees
Michelle Aggen, Augustana (Asst. Coach)
Janelle Barrineau, William & Mary (Asst. Coach)
Andrea Beaty, Syracuse (Asst. Coach)
Nikki Binetti, Arcadia (Head Coach)
Adrianna Blackman, Colorado State (Asst. Coach)
Bryan Buckius, Tusculum (Head Men's Coach)
Emily Byrnes, MN Select Volleyball Club (Associate Director & Head Coach)
Trevor Callarman, Maryland Eastern Shore (Head Coach)
Cheznee Daily, Lake Norman HS (Head Coach)
Annie DeLoid, Union College (Head Coach)
Lauren Ellison, Absolute Volleyball Academy of Texas (Recruiting Director/Coach)
Maggie Eppright, Northwestern (Asst. Coach/Recruiting Coordinator)
Tyler Fenton, Maryville, Mo. (Asst. M/W Coach)
Sareea Freeman, Howard (Asst. Coach)
Jake Fulsom, Jamestown (Asst. Coach)
Danielle Hayes, J.R. Arnold HS (Head Coach)
Annemarie Hickey, Wisconsin-Madison (Tech. Coordinator)
Chloe Hirst, Utah State (Asst. Coach/Recruiting Coordinator)
Kolby Kanetake, Chaminade (Asst. Coach)
Chad Koenegstein, Colorado College (Asst. Coach)
Alexa Micek, Winward School (Program Lead)
Michael Ortman, Lexington United (Head Coach)
Brittany Ramsey, Springboro JH Volleyball and Air City Chix Club Volleyball
Taylor Stallman, Benedictine-Mesa (Head Men's Coach)
Nick St. Thomas, Jacksonville Juniors Volleyball Assoc. (Club Administrator & Head Coach)
Jimmy Stika, Fontbonne (Head Men's Coach)
Filip Tomicic, ProPlay Volleyball Club (Director)
Brian Toron, Penn State (Asst. Coach)
Robert Wingert, Misericordia (Head M/W Coach)
Liran Zamir, Santa Monica College (Head Coach)
