GRAMBLING — Grambling State University Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics, Dr. Trayvean Scott, announced the hiring of new Lady Tigers head volleyball coach Chelsey Luca early this week..
“We are excited to welcome Chelsey Lucas back to Grambling State University as our head women’s volleyball coach,” Scott said. “She is a fierce competitor and knows how to win at all levels. She brings a level of excitement and a wealth of knowledge to our program. I am thrilled to be able to bring in a talented coach, who knows the institution and our conference.”
Lucas, a 2007 graduate of Grambling State University and a former Southwestern Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, along with being a first-team all-conference performer, returns to her alma mater after spending the past three seasons at the University of Arkansas in Pine Bluff.
“I want to give thanks to God for allowing me to have a new start to something that I truly love to do,” Lucas said. “Also, I would like to thank Dr. Scott and all of his staff that worked very hard during the process to get me here and to just understand what it takes to have a winning culture.”
While at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Lucas’ teams compiled a 37-44 overall record and a 27-17 mark inside the SWAC, including going 13-3 in 2021.
During the 2021 campaign, Lucas coached All-SWAC Blocker of the Year, Haley Gomez, along with second-team selections Zyonn Smith and Nikole Akamine. Gomez made program history when she became the first two-time SWAC Blocker of the Year in the program and conference history.
Prior to her taking over the reins at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Lucas spent three seasons at SWAC member institution Alcorn State. While at Alcorn State, the Lady Braves saw gradual success on the court, posting a 10-20 overall mark in 2018, which was seven more victories than the previous season and a 6-12 record in the SWAC, an improvement of six wins.
In 2018, the Lady Braves’ six conference wins were the most in the program since the 2003 season.
Alcorn ranked second in the nation in aces per set at 1.98. Individually, sophomore Fiapaipai Iosia ranked third in the nation with in aces per set at 0.66.
Lucas first entered coaching in 2007 as an assistant coach at Terrebonne High School in her hometown of Houma and as head coach of the Bayou Bandits club team. She was then hired as Houma Junior High School’s head volleyball coach in 2009 before taking the same job at Riverside Academy (Reserve) in 2011.
Also in 2011, Lucas was named club director of the Louisiana Southern Swing Volleyball Club in the midst of immediate success at Riverside. She led the Rebels to back-to-back LHSAA Division IV semifinal appearances in 2012 and 2013.
Prior to Alcorn, Lucas also spent three seasons as head volleyball and track and field coach at East St. John High School (Reserve).
