Kayla Banwarth

Kayla Banwarth
Banwarth in 2016
Biographical details
Born (1989-01-21) January 21, 1989 (age 35)
Dubuque, Iowa, U.S.
Playing career
2007–2010Nebraska
2011–2016Team USA
Position(s)Libero
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2015–2016Pepperdine (volunteer asst.)
2017–2019Nebraska (asst.)
2020–2022Ole Miss
Head coaching record
Overall29-38
Medal record
Volleyball
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 2016 Rio de Janeiro Team
World Championship
Gold medal – first place 2014 Italy Team
World Cup
Bronze medal – third place 2015 Japan Team
FIVB World Grand Prix
Gold medal – first place 2015 Omaha Team
Silver medal – second place 2016 Bangkok Team
Pan American Games
Bronze medal – third place 2011 Guadalajara Team

Kayla Banwarth (born January 21, 1989) is an American former volleyball player and coach. She played as a libero for the United States women's national volleyball team. Banwarth won gold with the national team at the 2014 World Championship, and bronze at the 2015 World Cup and 2016 Rio Olympic Games.[1]

Early life

Banwarth was born in Dubuque, Iowa and attended high school at Wahlert Catholic High School. Her team won three state titles and Banwarth graduated with 1,155 kills, 1,093 digs, and 364 aces. She also set school records for digs and aces. Banwarth was named the Iowa Gatorade Player of the Year in 2006.[2]

Career

She played college volleyball at University of Nebraska.[2]

Banwarth was part of the USA national team that won the 2014 World Championship gold medal when the team defeated China 3–1 in the final match.[3][4]
Banwarth retired after the 2016 Rio Olympics and took on a coaching role at her former college, the University of Nebraska, helping the women's volleyball team. She then went on to become the head coach for the Ole Miss starting in the fall of 2020. After a 1-19 COVID-19 shortened first year, in her second season she led the team to their first NCAA tournament appearance in 11 years and their first 20-win (21-9) season in 8 years. In the middle of the 2022 season, Banwarth was placed on leave and eventually she and the university mutually agreed to part ways.[5]

Awards

Individual

National team

Head coaching record

Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Ole Miss Rebels (Southeastern Conference) (2020–2022)
2020–21 Ole Miss 1–19 1–19 13th
2021 Ole Miss 21–9 10–8 T–5th NCAA First Round
2022 Ole Miss 7–10* 3–4
Ole Miss: 29–38 (.433) 14–31 (.311)


*Suspended October 20, 2022 and mutually parted ways on October 27, 2022.

Total: 29–38 (.433)

References

  1. ^ Service, World-Herald News (July 12, 2016). "Three former Huskers named to U.S. Olympic women's volleyball team". North Platte Nebraska's Newspaper.
  2. ^ a b "Kayla Banwarth - 2010 - Volleyball". University of Nebraska.
  3. ^ Benedetti, Valeria (October 12, 2014). "Volley, Mondiale: Usa batte Cina 3-1". La Gazzetta dello sport (in Italian). Milan, Italy. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  4. ^ "USA win first World Championship title, China and Brazil complete the podium". Milan, Italy: FIVB. May 11, 2014. Retrieved May 11, 2014.
  5. ^ "Kayla Banwarth, former Husker star, out as Ole Miss Volleyball coach". 10 11 Now KOLN/KGIN. October 27, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2022.