Andrew Diaz de Padilla Tapped to Lead New Lebanon Valley Men’s Volleyball Program
2/21/26
ANNVILLE, Pa. – Lebanon Valley College (LVC) has officially ushered in a new era for Dutchmen athletics, naming Andrew Diaz de Padilla as the first-ever head coach for its men’s volleyball program. The appointment, announced in February 2026 by Director of Athletics Patrick Ratke, marks a critical milestone as the college prepares to launch the program for varsity competition.
Diaz de Padilla joins “The Valley” with a reputation for revitalization and a track record of winning at both the playing and coaching levels. He most recently served as the assistant coach for the Division I women’s volleyball team at Jacksonville University, where he played a pivotal role in the program’s dramatic turnaround.
A Proven Winner in the Sunshine State
During his two-season tenure in Florida, Diaz de Padilla helped steer the Jacksonville Dolphins to their most successful campaign in over a decade. In 2025, the Dolphins reached several historic benchmarks:
- 20-Win Milestone: The team secured 20 victories for the first time since 2014.
- Conference Success: The Dolphins earned their first conference tournament win in ten years.
- Player Development: Under his guidance, the program produced five All-Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) honorees and two ASUN All-Freshman Team selections.
A Decorated Collegiate Career
Diaz de Padilla’s coaching philosophy is rooted in a highly successful playing career as a setter. A 2022 graduate of Hiram College, he was the engine behind the Terriers’ historic rise.
- Hiram Highlights: He led the program to its first Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) title and NCAA Tournament berth in 2021. As a senior captain in 2022, he earned AMCC Third Team honors and was a standout in the classroom, receiving Academic All-Conference honors three times.
- Wittenberg Dominance: He continued his career at Wittenberg University while pursuing his master’s degree. As a two-year captain, he led the Tigers to back-to-back Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League (MCVL) Regular Season Championships.
- Record Setter: His name is etched in the Wittenberg record books for holding the program’s most assists in both four-set and five-set matches.
“Andrew brings exceptional energy, experience, and a passion for developing student-athletes—making him the perfect leader to launch this historic new era of Dutchmen men’s volleyball,” LVC Athletics shared in a statement.
Building the Foundation
The launch of men’s volleyball at Lebanon Valley comes at a time of significant expansion for the college’s athletic department, which recently added women’s flag football to its roster. Diaz de Padilla will spend the coming months recruiting the inaugural class of student-athletes and establishing the program’s culture before they begin play in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC).
His prior experience as an intern at Cal Poly and his time coaching with the Everest Volleyball Club in Ohio have provided him with a broad network that will be essential for building a roster from the ground up.