Trinity Valley Community College head volleyball coach Aleah Hayes has submitted her resignation to accept an assistant coaching position at a four-year institution.

Hayes, who in November completed her sixth season at the helm of the Cardinal program, leaves her first head coaching tenure with a winning legacy. She compiled a 143-74 record, including two Region XIV championships and three straight trips to the NJCAA tournament.

"We knew this day would eventually come, but it does not make it any easier" said TVCC athletic director Eddie Kite. "It was obvious she had a bright future ahead of her and she leaves after having put our program on the national stage."

TVCC president Dr. Jason Morrison echoed Kite's sentiments.

"Aleah is truly one of the best in her field," Morrison said. "Watching her over the past two years has been exciting, as I've had the privilege to share in her success and growth. She is a dedicated "gym rat" coach, driven to excel both on the court and in the classroom.

"While it's bittersweet to see her go, I am excited to witness how her future will continue to evolve and grow. Without a doubt, I look forward to seeing her succeed at the next level.

"The Cardinal Campus will certainly miss her impact, and I believe she is destined to become a future Cardinal Hall of Famer."

Kite said the search for Hayes' replacement would begin immediately and focus on candidates with national tournament experience and success.

The 2022 and 2023 seasons were the pinnacle of her TVCC tenure, resulting in a combined 62-18 record. The Cardinals claimed their first conference title in 2022 with an 16-0 ledger and won the program's first regional tournament title. They went 3-0 in the event and did not drop a set, which they also accomplished the following year.

Hayes' 2023 squad set two other standards by which the program will be measured in the future with the most wins in a season (32) and the best finish at the national tournament (fourth).

The Cardinals finished eighth at the national tournament in 2022.

Hayes became the second head coach in Cardinal program history late in the summer of 2019 after a two-year stint as an assistant coach at Columbia College. Her first Cardinal squad went 24-6.

"Aleah's success speaks for itself, and she has been a great role model for her athletes and our students," Kite said. "She leaves with our gratitude and best wishes."

THE HAYES YEARS

2019 – 24-6

2020 – 10-16

2021 – 22-18

2022 – 31-11

2023 – 32-7

2024 – 24-16