Coaching Staff
Hope International Announces Hiring of New Men's and Women's Volleyball Coach
Following three seasons as an Assistant Coach at Hope International, Victor Jennings-Santiago has been named the Head Coach for both the men's and women's volleyball programs.
He will take over a women's program that has been to three straight National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Division I Women's Volleyball national tournaments. Last year, the Lady Royals concluded the season with a strong third place finish at the 2006 NCCAA National Tournament at Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN.
Over the past three seasons, the Royals have recorded 49 wins, including a school-record 20 wins during the 2003 season, and advanced to their first National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' (NAIA) Region II Post-Season playoffs following the 2003 season.
Jennings-Santiago takes over a men's volleyball program that has won 4-out-of-5 NCCAA National titles since 2001, and finished as the National Champions in 2005. Last season, the men's team finished with a 8-12 record and Jennings-Santiago hopes to lead the team back to both the NAIA and NCCAA National tournaments.
"I feel very fortunate to have been given this opportunity to lead both the men's and women's volleyball squads, competitively and spiritually on and off the court. We have so many outstanding players in both programs and I am looking forward to a very successful season," stated Jennings-Santiago.
Victor has thirteen years of coaching experience with various high schools in Hawaii. He coached eight years with Sideout Junior Boys Volleyball Club and Molten Junior Boys Volleyball Club in Hawaii. During that time, his team won Gold in the 2002 Jr. Olympics Club Division, the first ever honor for the 18-and under team in Hawaii. His teams have also won Club Division Silver Medals and Second Place finishes in the Junior Olympics.
"Victor has been a loyal assistant coach at HIU for the past two years and we are pleased to be able to give him this opportunity to lead both the Women's and Men's Volleyball programs. We have total faith in Victor in his ability to be a leader on and off the court," athletic director Greg Pappas said.
Victor was born and raised in Hawaii and earned his Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from the University of Hawaii, Manoa.
To contact Head Coach Victor Jennings-Santiago, email him at womensvolleyball@hiu.edu.