LAWTON, Oklahoma – Cameron University Director of Athletics, Lou Izzi, has announced Melissa Avila as the Aggies new Head Women's Volleyball Coach.
Avila, a native of Gilroy, California, served as the head coach at Western Texas College for the past six seasons. She led the Westerners to 18 wins and the NJCAA Region V championships in 2023. Avila also served as the assistant coach at Western Texas for two seasons and Hastings College for two seasons where she was part of the 2016 National Championship team. In addition to coaching at Western Texas, Avila has been the head volleyball coach of the 17U Texas 432 Club Volleyball team since 2021.
"I am excited to welcome Melissa Avila as the new head coach of the Cameron volleyball program," said Izzi. "Melissa has extensive experience as an accomplished player and a coach. She impressed me and our search team with her vision for rebuilding our program, her strong coaching acumen, and her commitment to developing-student athletes on and off the court."
Avila was a two-time First-Team All-Coast Conference player at Gavilan Community College in California and a two-year starter and team MVP at Dickinson State University in North Dakota.
"I would like to thank Athletic Director Lou Izzi for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of the Aggie family and lead the Women's Volleyball team," said Avila. "There are great opportunities to build championship expectations and culture. With the tools that Cameron University has in place to offer their athletes to excel on the court, there is ample opportunity to work our way up in the conference. I am excited to lead these young women both on and off the court, not only to impact themselves and each other, but be good people in the Cameron community."
Avila graduated from Dickinson State with a bachelor's degree in exercise science and a minor in business and coaching. She earned her master's degree from Hastings College in secondary physical education and coaching. Avila will begin her tenure at Cameron on January 13, 2025.
