1/6/2026
Elmira College is turning to a coach with championship credentials to lead its men’s volleyball program into its next chapter.
The Soaring Eagles announced the hiring of Eddie Daoreuang as head coach, bringing aboard an assistant who just helped St. John Fisher University capture an Empire 8 Conference championship and reach the NCAA Tournament.
Daoreuang comes to the Finger Lakes region fresh off back-to-back seasons with the St. John Fisher women’s program, where he played a key role in one of the most successful campaigns in program history. During the 2024 season, the Cardinals swept crosstown rival Nazareth to claim the Empire 8 title and earned the program’s fourth-ever NCAA Tournament berth. Under head coach Kelly Greapentrog, the program improved its hitting percentage from .188 to .215, a jump that reflected Daoreuang’s attention to technical development.
“I’m honored to be named the Head Men’s Volleyball Coach at Elmira College,” said Daoreuang. “Elmira’s commitment to academic achievement, athletic excellence, and community is something I deeply value, and I am eager to continue the growth of the program.”
A Proven Developer at Multiple Levels
Before his time in Rochester, Daoreuang honed his coaching philosophy working with younger athletes at both the club and high school levels. He served as head coach at VolleyFX from 2023-25 and as an assistant with Pittsford Boys Volleyball from 2022-23, building a reputation for player development and attention to fundamentals.
It’s a well-rounded resume that impressed Elmira athletic director Faunce.
“We are thrilled to welcome Eddie to Elmira College as our next head men’s volleyball coach,” Faunce said. “His coaching experience, combined with his energy and vision for the program, makes him a tremendous fit to serve as the leader of our program. Eddie’s background as both a coach and player will serve our student-athletes well as he leads the program forward.”
From Player to Coach
Daoreuang’s competitive playing background gives him credibility with today’s student-athletes. He contributed to three ECVA Division II North NYS Championships (2018, 2019, 2020) and helped capture the 2017 ECVA Conference Championship. His individual honors included ECVA D-II North Division First Team recognition in 2019 as both a setter and opposite, showcasing his versatility on the court.
His club teams also made noise on the national stage, placing 16th at the 2019 NCVF Nationals and climbing to fifth place at the 2020 NCVF Nationals.
Inheriting a Program on the Upswing
Daoreuang takes over a Soaring Eagles program that showed flashes of competitiveness in 2025 despite falling just short of postseason success. Elmira finished 17-8 overall and 1-6 in United Volleyball Conference play, with the season ending in a winner-take-all match against Hobart for the final conference tournament spot.
Senior Jordan Peiser led the way in his final season, finishing with 987 career kills to move into fifth place on the program’s all-time list. Setter Max Cohen wrapped up his career ranked third all-time at Elmira with 2,255 career assists, leaving significant production to replace.
But that challenge appears to energize Daoreuang, who embraces a player-centered coaching philosophy.
“My vision is to continue the Elmira Volleyball legacy by fostering a culture of growth, unity, community and competition,” he said. “I look forward to working with our student-athletes, athletic staff, and the Elmira community as we strive to elevate the program and represent Elmira with pride and passion.”
A Philosophy Built on Empowerment
What separates Daoreuang from many young coaches is his clearly articulated philosophy that extends beyond X’s and O’s. He describes his approach as “transformational and collaborative,” viewing his role less as a manager and more as a mentor who helps athletes discover their own voices and strengths.
“I believe when players are empowered, respected, and cared for as students and emotional beings, they will bring their full selves to the game and perform at their highest potential,” Daoreuang explained. “Our players are not just players, they are full human beings with needs, desires, and aspirations, and most of that has little to do with volleyball. My job as a coach is to help our student-athletes receive the support they need in order to be who they want to be.”
The Soaring Eagles will begin their 2026 season under Daoreuang’s leadership as the program looks to build on its competitive foundation within the United Volleyball Conference.