Volleyball Coaching Staff
Lena Chan
Head
Volleyball Coach
After six years leading one of the top junior college programs in the Northwest, Lena Chan is returning to her alma mater for her first season as Pacific head volleyball coach.
The former Boxer and Baylor standout spent the least six seasons at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham. The three-time NWAACC Volleyball Coach of the Year led the Saints to NWAACC championships in 2002, 2006 and 2007 and a second place finish in 2005. Chan amassed a 193-48 record at Mt. Hood, finishing with a .800 winning percentage.
"It's always special when we can hire an alum to take over one of our teams. There is a special connection there," said Pacific University Director of Athletics Ken Schumann. "We are excited that Lena has chosen to come back to Pacific, and I am confident that her previous success will translate into further success in our growing Boxer volleyball program."
Chan, who had been interested in coaching at the four-year level, said that Pacific seemed like a great fit from the start. "It feels like unfinished business for me," Chan said. "It's a full circle situation, it's almost eerie. I feel like Pacific can be a nationally ranked program. There is no reason why it can't be."
In 2007, Chan led the Saints to a 34-4 record en route to the NWAACC championship. In addition to being named NWAACC Coach of the Year, Chan saw the selection of Beth Perkins as the NWAACC Southern Division Player of the Year and as a Second Team Junior College All-American by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).
Overall, Chan saw 15 of her players move on to four-year programs, including five who matriculated to NCAA Division I programs. Her successful charges included 2003 AVCA First Team All-American Amy Bell, who went on to a successful career at Weber State. She also coaches four NWAACC Most Valuable Player selections and numerous conference players of the week.
Prior to her arrival at Mt. Hood, Chan spent three seasons as the head volleyball coach at Beaverton's Southridge High School, where she has been on the teaching staff since 1999.
In addition to her college coaching duties, Chan has operated the 10-team Athena Volleyball Academy since 2002. She has also worked as a clinician in camps all across the Northwest as well as caps at Baylor, Pepperdine and Washington.
Chan (name pronounced LAY-nuh Chan) is excited about the prospects for a Pacific volleyball program that surged in their final season under former head coach Chris Stanley. "Everything that (the players) touch they want to be successful at," Chan said. "They want to be part of something because they push themselves, and that's a really intriguing quality to work with as a coach."
Chan's successful coaching career followed a highly successful playing career that saw the former Lena Kaer excel at both the NAIA and NCAA Division I levels. Chan began her college career at Pacific, where she helped lead the Boxers to a third place Northwest Conference finish in 1993 and a second place finish in 1994. An outside hitter, Chan was an All-Northwest Conference selection in 1994 and ranks among the Boxers' all-time single season leaders in kills and blocks.
Chan moved to Baylor University in Waco, Texas, in 1996, fulfilling a dream of playing Division I volleyball. A two-time letterwinner, Chan was a First Team Big-12 All-Academic selection in 1996 and 1997 and led the Bears in service aces during the 1996 season.
Chan continues to play volleyball competitively as a member of the elite Team Nike program. In 2001, Chan also had a try-out for the United States Professional Volleyball tour.
A native of Mililani, Hawaii, Chan graduated from Baylor in 1997 with a degree in mathematics. She and her husband, Alex, are the proud parents of two daughters, Malia, 5, and Maile, 2.