FLORENCE, Ala. (July 12, 2024) – University of North Alabama Beach Volleyball Head Coach Kaleb VanDePerre has announced a former standout to his staff Friday morning, as Mackenzie Martin will serve in an assistant coaching role for the upcoming 2024-2025 season.
Martin joins the staff after finishing a five-year playing career with the Lions in 2024. She wrapped up her career with 127 matches played and 81 total wins, which ranks tied for first and second all-time in program history, respectively.
"I am beyond honored to continue to pour into this program," said Martin. "As an alumna of UNA, I am excited to continue to be a part of the growth of the girls as well as this success of the program. I am thankful for Coach VanDePerre for providing me with this amazing opportunity and cannot wait to hit the ground running in the fall."
On top of her accolades on the court, she is a two-time Academic All-Atlantic Sun Conference and College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team selection, winning both in 2023 and 2024. She also received an ASUN Spring Winners for Life honor in 2023 — the first in UNA Beach Volleyball program history.
The definition of a student-athlete, Martin looks to use her experience and expertise on and off the sand to assist in maintaining the program standard this fall.
"My experience as a student athlete, specifically at UNA, has provided me with specific collegiate experience, getting to train and compete at the highest level," Martin said. "I am able to bring my experience as an athlete to coaching by understanding truly what is expected of an athlete in all aspects. I am looking most forward to pouring into the ladies as they continue to grow as athletes and young women."
Martin looks to assist VanDePerre after a 2024 season that saw the Lions set program records in total wins (22) along with two wins over Power Four opponents, Oregon and Nebraska, and the first win over a ranked opponent in program history against No. 20 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
VanDePerre won UNA's first-ever ASUN Coach of the Year honor in the 2024 season, with UNA receiving multiple postseason accolades with nine individual honors, three pair accolades and one team award.
"We're so excited to welcome Kenzie to our staff," said VanDePerre. "She's been an incredible part of the growth and success of the beach program as a player, but more importantly has been a vital part of the campus community. She brings with her years of leadership, involvement and dedication to everything that makes UNA great. I can't wait to watch her continue to grow and excel in this next chapter."
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