By: Mark Wasik
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State Director of Athletics
Milton Overton announced Wednesday that head volleyball coach
Keith Schunzel has signed a three-year contract extension, keeping him with the Owls through the 2029 season.
Since taking over the program in 2013, Schunzel has transformed Kennesaw State into one of the premier volleyball programs in the Southeast. One of fewer than 50 active NCAA Division I women's volleyball head coaches with 200 career victories, Schunzel owns a 227-136 record in his 13 years at KSU. He has guided the Owls to unprecedented success, highlighted by two Atlantic Sun Conference tournament championships, two ASUN regular-season titles and two NCAA Tournament appearances.
Under Schunzel's leadership, Kennesaw State has become one of the nation's most consistently competitive programs. The Owls have reached the semifinals of their conference tournament in an impressive streak of 11 straight seasons, including both of their first two years competing in Conference USA. The Owls have also posted four top-75 NCAA RPI finishes while earning the AVCA Team Academic Award 10 times, reflecting the program's commitment to excellence both on the court and in the classroom.
"Coach Schunzel has built a championship-caliber volleyball program that consistently competes at the highest level while developing outstanding student-athletes," Overton said. "That level of success hasn't dropped one bit with our move to Conference USA, and we're excited to have Keith continue leading our student-athletes as we pursue championships while representing Kennesaw State with excellence."
The Owls' success has extended to individual accolades as well. Kennesaw State has produced 25 all-conference selections, 10 ASUN All-Freshman Team honorees, two ASUN Setter of the Year award winners, one ASUN Defensive Player of the Year, two ASUN Freshmen of the Year and one ASUN Scholar-Athlete of the Year. The program has also earned six AVCA All-Region selections and produced its first Academic All-American.
"It continues to be a true honor to be the head women's volleyball coach at Kennesaw State and lead our women and this program," said Schunzel. "I'm so proud of what we have built through the years and even more proud of how we have done it, always culture first and student-athlete first. While our program, as well as our current and former student-athletes, have achieved so much, I continue to be motivated and fired up to elevate and empower our amazing young women and Kennesaw State Volleyball to reach new heights."
The Owls will open the 2026 season this weekend with a trip to the UNC Wilmington Hampton Inn+Suites Seahawk Classic. KSU brings back four starters from last year's squad that finished 19-9 overall and claimed a third-place finish in CUSA with a 12-4 mark. The home opener for KSU will be on Friday, Sept. 6 in VyStar Arena against West Georgia, and the contest will also be this year's Griffin's Game.
The Champions Fund
The Champions Fund is a newly created, 100% tax deductible, philanthropic opportunity to contribute strategic revenue to Kennesaw State Athletics, with the goal of strengthening our ability to recruit and retain top-tier talent in this new era of collegiate athletics. Contributions to the Champions Fund will help aid in funding student-athlete recruitment and retention, as well as helping the Owls provide competitive excellence through investments in coaching, travel and facilities. The fund will also give an elevated student-athlete experience, including enhanced academic, nutrition, wellness and leadership programs. Donate to the Champions Fund here and help us support our Kennesaw State Owls.
