Lori DeJongh-Slight Named New Head Volleyball Coach at Buena Vista

Buena Vista interim director of athletics Brian Van Haaften has announced that Lori DeJongh-Slight has been hired as the new head volleyball coach for the Beavers beginning February 1, 2012.

“We are excited to have Lori join our BVU community,” says Van Haaften. “Her past successes in building volleyball programs will help her build BVU into an IIAC contender in the future.”

Slight arrives to campus after having served as the head volleyball coach for Creston High School each of the last two seasons.  Prior to taking over for the Panthers, she was the leader of the Sioux City Bishop Heelan squad from 2007-2009, earning state tournament berths each season, including a state title in 2007 and a runner-up finish in 2009.  During that span, she compiled a record of 131-34.

“I’m extremely excited and humbled for the opportunity to be the next head volleyball coach at BVU,” says Slight.  “Being both alum and a former assistant coach here, I’m ready to revamp and renew the passion within the program.”

Aside from the high school ranks, Slight has also coached seven seasons at the collegiate level.  Her most recent stop came at Northwest Missouri State University (2003-2005) where she improved the team from five wins in her first season to 15 in each of her final two.  Prior to taking over for the Bearcats, she began the volleyball program at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) and served as its head coach from 1999-2002.  During her tenure there, she finished with 100 wins, including 49 in 2002, while earning a trip to the National Junior College Athletic Association tournament.  She was also head coach of the Cyclone Cylect Volleyball Club from October 1999 thru January 2003.

“The players here at BVU showed great excitement and enthusiasm when I met with them during the interview process,” Slight adds.  “I’m anxious to be able to take my own knowledge of the game to help raise their volleyball IQ and get them back on the winning path.”

Slight served as an assistant volleyball coach for BVU in 1996-1997 while earning her B.A. degree in both exercise science and secondary education-physical education in December of 1997.  Aside from BVU, she also attended both Iowa State University and Northwestern College (IA).  After graduating from BVU, she then went on to serve one year as head coach at Storm Lake High School.

Lori and her husband Jay, who currently serves as high school principal at Creston, have two boys, Nick (10) and Jack (4).