Noel Kaufman takes the helm of Nittany Lion Volleyball

Hazleton, Pa. - With the 2021-22 volleyball season set to begin on Saturday, September 4, Penn State alumnus Noel Kaufman is set to make her debut as the head coach of the Hazleton Nittany Lion women's volleyball program. Kaufman previously coached with the Anthracite Volleyball Club out of Schuylkill county and now in her first position as a collegiate coach, Noel looks to install a system that focuses on respect, positivity and strong values while pushing her squad to give 110 percent on the court and in the classroom.

Kaufman is a recent graduate of Penn State Schuylkill where she led the team to a record of 11-1 in the Penn State University Athletic Conference Eastern Division and an appearance in the PSUAC quarter finals during her final season in the fall of 2019. That year, Kaufman ranked 8^th in the conference in kills and 3^rd in the PSUAC in hitting percentage, landing her on the PSUAC's All-Conference team and honorable mention as a USCAA All-American. After losing her senior season to the pandemic, Kaufman will now continue her career in the sport of volleyball as the head coach at Hazleton where she'll look to pass on her knowledge to the next generation of Penn State athletes.

"Noel was one of the top players in the conference during her career at Penn State Schuylkill both on the court and in the classroom," said Director of Athletics Patrice Lombard. "Having played at a Penn State campus, she's knows exactly what type of experience we want for our student-athletes and shares our vision for building a successful program at Hazleton. Her experience, knowledge and enthusiasm for the game made her the ideal choice for our next head coach and we are thrilled to have to join the Penn State Hazleton family."