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Women's Volleyball Rodney Kirschner Deputy Athletics Director | Director of Strategic Communications | Sports Information Director

Coach Barnes announces 2024 volleyball coaching staff

BATON ROUGE, La | Southern University head volleyball coach Dawn Barnes announced three additions on her inaugural coaching staff on Monday.
 
Kayla Caffey has been appointed assistant coach, Tyler Dixon and Eleisha Thompson have been named volunteer assistants. 
 
Kayla Caffey
Caffey, a native of Chicago, Illinois, brings a wealth of experience as she continues her professional playing career for the Grand Rapids Rise in the Pro Volleyball Federation during the offseason. She played professionally in Puerto Rico during the 2023 season for the Criollas de Caguas and in the Athletes Unlimited Pro League. 
 
Caffey had a decorated collegiate career and was a letterman at the University of Texas, Nebraska and Missouri. She helped lead the University of Texas to the 2022 NCAA National Title, finishing with a 28-1 record and winning the Big 12 Championship. 
 
During her time at Nebraska, she became an AVCA Second-Team All-American and an AVCA North All-Region Team member after showing a .376 hitting percentage, which ranked fourth in the Big Ten. She helped guide Nebraska to the National Championship game falling 3-2 to No. 4 Wisconsin.
 
At Missouri, she was named to the 2017 SEC All-Freshman Team. She recorded 130 blocks which ranked fifth in the SEC and 10th all-time in a single season at Missouri. She also had 109 block assists tied for eighth all time for a single season in program history. 
 
Caffey earned a bachelor's degree from Missouri in elementary education and graduated with a master's degree in teaching, learning and teacher's education from Nebraska in December 2021. 
 
"Being a former SEC Player, Capturing All-American honors at Nebraska, winning a National Championship at Texas in 2022 and being a professional volleyball player. Kayla definitely has the experience for this position. She has competed at the highest level possible. I am beyond thrilled that she has accepted and stepped into this position with so much energy and valuable insight," said Head Coach Dawn Barnes. "The girls are already absorbing all the information, and our Middle Blockers are going to benefit so much under her guidance. This is a huge addition to the Southern University volleyball program and community. She will be a great role model for the players as a coach as well as a mentor. I look forward to all things that Kayla will be able to bring to the program, from recruiting, player development and beyond.

Tyler Dixon
Tyler Dixon has been the club director for Southern Premier Volleyball Club for the last five years. He played for the men's volleyball club at McNeese State University and severed as student assistant for the women's volleyball team at McNeese State. 
 
 "Tyler is in his first year as college coach. He has been a Club Director here in Baton Rouge and has already provided local connections.  He has watched the Southern volleyball program from afar and his knowledge of the game from the Men's level, club and now college has already been instrumental to the players development. Tyler is a young coach and has the passion, skill set and drive for this position. I am excited that he is a part of the Southern volleyball program," said Head Coach Dawn Barnes.
 
Eleisha Thompson
Eleisha Thompson finished her playing career at South Carolina State. She has been accepted into the Environmental Toxicology Ph. D. graduate program at Southern University. 
 
"Eleisha just graduated from South Carolina State University in May 2024 Cum Laude. She was a member of the SC State Women's volleyball program and also a member of the Dr. Emily E. Clyburn Honors College. She received several presidential medallions. She has always been driven, organized, competitive and loves to serve others. She has been extremely passionate about the job from day one! I am glad to have her apart of Southern University program," said Coach Barnes. 
 
First Glance at the 2024 Team
Catch the Southern University Volleyball program blue and gold intrasquad scrimmage Saturday August 24 at 2:30 pm in Seymour Gym after the 2024 Fall Fan Fest. Admission is free
 
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