Local Sports
Unverdorben to Lead Pitt-Bradford Volleyball
Kelly Unverdorben
The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford has hired Kelly Unverdorben, longtime successful head coach at Portville (N.Y.) High School, as the sixth head coach of the women’s volleyball program since joining the NCAA in 1999.
“I am very pleased to announce the hiring of Kelly Unverdorben as the leader of our women’s volleyball program,” said athletic director Bret Butler. “She brings invaluable amounts of experience, success, and knowledge of the game that will return this program to its rightful place, playing for championships.”
Unverdorben brings a wealth of volleyball coaching experience to Pitt-Bradford. For the past 11 years she has created a dynasty at her alma mater, Portville High School. Unverdorben lead the Portville Panthers to eight New York State Class C titles and 305 wins. At Portville, more than 65% of players continue playing volleyball in college, more than 15 times the national average.
She also won a Class D State Championship at Ellicottville, N.Y., in 2012-13, where the Eagles were 35-2-3 in her two seasons at the helm. She has also been named the AVCA Regional Coach of the Year three times.
In addition to her success in the scholastic ranks, Unverdorben founded Octane Club, one of the largest volleyball clubs in Western New York. The club has sent numerous teams to the national indoor club volleyball tournament.
She started its offshoot, OC Beach Volleyball Club, with her daughter, Brooke, and her playing partner Beth Miller, who was the 2018 New York State Gatorade Player of the Year. The club has more than 200 participants and has sent 30 teams to nationals.
“It is very difficult to leave my alma mater, Portville, and the program that we have built there, but joining Pitt-Bradford and its beautiful, welcoming campus is very exciting,” Unverdorben said. “I can’t wait to work with the student-athletes to get this program back to competing for championships.”
Unverdorben replaces Mark Lucas who has moved to Ithaca College to serve on their coaching staff.
