Kyra Hunter was added to the volleyball coaching staff in April of 2025.
With a strong background in both player development and collegiate-level competition, Hunter brings a wealth of experience and passion to the Demons.
“It’s been a pleasure to watch her develop players on the sideline over the past three or four years,” first-year head coach Ben Kaszeta said. “She has a good touch to be able to understand what it takes to be successful and how to how to get it out of kids. She teaches a good brand of volleyball that's super disciplined and teaches them how to play the game the right way.
“She's had a bunch of kids play in college and sets a high standard, not just in volleyball, but even in how to live life the right way. So, I appreciate who she is as a person just as much as who she is as a trainer of the game of volleyball.”
For the past three years, Hunter served as program coordinator and master coach for the Birmingham Elite volleyball team at Alabama Performance Volleyball Club in Birmingham, Ala.
During her tenure, she worked with athletes from middle school through high school age, guiding the program to consistent top 10 finishes in tournament competitions.
Under her leadership, she has guided 21 different players to compete at the collegiate level – a testament to her ability to develop talent, foster growth, improve mental toughness and encourage competitive spirit during game play.
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to coach at the college level,” Hunter said. “It’s truly a blessing and a dream come true. I have to first thank God for His perfect timing and provision. He is always faithful and always on time. I wouldn’t be here without the constant support of my village — my family, friends, mentors, and former coaches — who believed in me even on the days I doubted myself, and whose love, support, and encouragement have carried me to this moment.
“It’s an honor to now have the chance to pour the same passion and love for the game into my players that was once poured into me. I’m excited for this next chapter and can’t wait to get to work.”
Hunter’s first collegiate coaching job returns her to the roots of her own collegiate playing career in the Southland Conference.
The Hoover, Ala., native played the first two seasons of her career at New Orleans, where she was second on the team in blocks and averaged nearly two kills per set as a freshman. In two seasons with the Privateers she had more than 350 kills and 130 blocks.
Hunter finished her career at Southern Illinois where she earned her degree in exercise science in May of 2021.
