Kenzie Brinkman is officially the head coach of Ohio Volleyball, while two players were named to the First Team All-MAC
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — The new era of Ohio Volleyball is officially underway. Ohio Director of Athletics Slade Larscheid announced that the interim tag has been removed for Kenzie Brinkman, making her the 13th head coach in program history. In addition to Brinkman being given the full-time job, Bailey Blair was named MAC Freshman of the Year. Blair is joined by Emily Waddell as two members of the First Team All-MAC.
The news to strip the interim tag from Brinkman comes as no surprise after the improbable turnaround saw the team go from a 2-14 record and an 0-4 mark in MAC play to winning 12 of the final 14 matches and clinching the No. 3 seed in the MAC Tournament.
Ohio Volleyball freshman Bailey Blair running back to serve against Bucknell. [Andy McLean | WOUB Public Media]“We are extremely excited and thankful to have Brinkman lead our volleyball program,” Larscheid said. “Over the course of the last four seasons, (Brinkman) has developed outstanding relationships with our student-athletes and campus community. Her experience, leadership abilities and coaching style are an ideal fit for Ohio University.”
Brinkman echoes the excitement to get to work on the future of the program while staying focused on the upcoming MAC Tournament.
“This program is special,” Brinkman said. “I am honored and humbled to be the next head coach, and I’m very appreciative of (Larscheid) for entrusting me with the keys to a program with a rich history that I hope to continue in years to come.”
Brinkman is always quick to deflect any praise to her players that, as she says, “make her look like a coaching genius.” One of the players at the forefront of those efforts is Blair. The newly-minted Freshman of the Year honors is deserving for Blair. She has become one of the leaders of the team, both on and off the court.
She led Ohio in a number of categories, including kills (350), points (394.0) and attempts (855). Her versatility on the court has also been praised by Brinkman as Blair was willing and able to cover a number of different spots over the course of the season.
Ohio Volleyball middle blocker Emily Waddell serving against Eastern Michigan. [Andy McLean | WOUB Public MediaWaddell is an unsung hero for Ohio that is getting her recognition in a big way. Waddell was used in part-time action last season as an injury cut her sophomore campaign short. However, she was in store for an increased role in 2025 and thrived.
She led Ohio with 105 total blocks while placing second behind Blair in points with 293.5. Additionally, Waddell was a key part of the strong service for Ohio this year. As a team, Ohio had 193 service aces, good for second in program history. Waddell contributed 29 of those including five in a match against Eastern Michigan in October.
The honors for Ohio come after no players were recognized on the Preseason All-MAC team, a stark turnaround for a program that surpassed even the most ambitious expectations this season.
However, everything the team wants to achieve remains in front of it with the MAC Tournament starting on Friday at 7 p.m. with a match against No. 6 Bowling Green, the host team.
Brinkman staying in Athens might not be a surprise, but having her in charge of the program already on the rise adds another level to the rising stock for Ohio Volleyball.
