A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE, A STANDARD OF DOMINANCE
The American University volleyball program has achieved astonishing levels of success in its storied history. Since joining the Patriot League in 2001, the Eagles have won 17 of 24 tournament titles, and have earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament a total of 19 times in program history, most recently in 2025. In 2013, the Eagles won two NCAA matches and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen.
As of March 2026, the program is under the leadership of Jenny Glenn, who joins the program after 10 seasons with Metropolitan State University of Denver. The team went 252-53 during her tenure, and she led the Roadrunners to an NCAA Division II National Championship in 2025.
PROGRAM QUICK FACTS
- Location: Washington, D.C.
- Enrollment: 14,311 (8,287 Undergrads)
- Founded: 1893
- Colors: Red, White & Blue
- Nickname: Eagles
- Home Facility: Bender Arena and the Meltzer Center for Athletic Performance
- President: Jonathan Alger (Swarthmore ‘86)
- Athletics Director: JM Caparro (Lehigh ‘00)
- Head Coach: Jenny Glenn (Truman State '02)
PATRIOT LEAGUE
American competes in the Patriot League, located in the Northeast Region and comprised of 10 private institutions for higher education. It is among the most selective group of higher education institutions in NCAA Division I. American University has the second-largest undergraduate enrollment in the Patriot League (8,287).
LEAGUE AND NATIONAL ACCOLADES
- 55 Patriot League First Team selections
- 37 Patriot League Second Team selections
- 17 Patriot League All-Tournament MVPs
- 12 All-American Honorable Mentions
- 17 All-Region selections; 10 All-Region Honorable Mentions
- 16 Patriot League Players of the Year
- Nine Patriot League Rookies of the Year
- Eight Patriot League Setters of the Year
- Three Patriot League Liberos of the Year
- Three CoSIDA Academic All-Americans
- 17 Academic All-Patriot League Selections
- 10 Patriot League Scholar-Athletes of the Year
NOW AT AU: THE ALAN AND AMY MELTZER CENTER
The brand new Alan and Amy Meltzer Center for Athletic Performance is up and running, serving as the new space for American University student-athletes to thrive. The building includes a multi-purpose competition and practice court, a three-mat wrestling training center, hospitality and team meeting spaces, and a production studio for ESPN+ broadcasts. New sports medicine and strength and conditioning rooms provide more resources and opportunities for student-athletes to achieve excellence. Additionally, the Sports Center Annex (SCAN) provides resources for student-athletes and the broader student body, including a wellness hub, a shared lounge and kitchenette, classrooms, and a film room. An outdoor terrace will overlook Reeves Field and Greenberg Track, and both centers house new coaches’ offices and locker room spaces. The spaces reinforce AU Athletics’ emphasis on academics, life-skills, and building community in addition to athletics performance.
MEET THE COACHING STAFF
HEAD COACH JENNY GLENN
- Jenny Glenn was named the head coach of American University volleyball on March 5, 2026. She brings 20 years of collegiate coaching experience to AU, coming off a remarkable 10-season run at Metropolitan State University of Denver that saw her lead the Roadrunners to the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2025.
- Glenn guided MSU Denver to the most successful campaign in program history, setting a program-record 32 wins on the way to the national title. The Roadrunners were nothing short of dominant, winning 30 consecutive sets in the middle of the season, and ending the run on a 23-match winning streak. MSU Denver achieved every major victory they could, capturing the RMAC regular-season title, the RMAC Tournament championship, and the NCAA South Central Regional crown before becoming the first RMAC team to win a national championship. The title run came after four straight seasons that ended in the NCAA South Central Regional final.
- Individually, Glenn was recognized as the AVCA South Central Region Coach of the Year for the third time (2016, 2021, 2025). She guided three players to All-American selections (Annika Helf, Alyssa Boyte, and Karyna Werley), and six to All-RMAC spots, including the RMAC Defensive Player (Alyssa Boyte) of the Year and Freshman of the Year (Karyna Werley).
- Over her 10 seasons in Denver, Glenn cemented herself as one of the top coaches in Division II volleyball. She posted a staggering 252-53 overall record and dominant 152-10 mark in RMAC play, and led the Roadrunners to four RMAC regular season titles, two RMAC Tournament titles, and nine NCAA appearances. She helped MSU Denver earn national recognition even before winning the NCAA championship, as the Roadrunners spent nine weeks ranked No. 1 in Division II (four weeks in 2022, five weeks in 2021) by the American Volleyball Coaches' Association, and have consistently ranked in the top 10 over Glenn’s tenure.
ASSISTANT COACH KADEN KNEPPER
- Kaden Knepper joined American University volleyball on April 13, 2026. Knepper rejoined Glenn after spending four seasons with her at Metropolitan State University of Denver, where he was a part of her national championship staff.
- Knepper was MSU Denver’s lone assistant coach, handling responsibilities over scouting, training preparation, and match strategy. The Roadrunners went 116-15 over Knepper’s four years on the sidelines, including the record setting championship season in 2025. On the way to the title, MSU Denver went 32-3 and captured every major victory in front of them – the RMAC regular season and tournament championship, and the NCAA South Central Regional crown.
- A Mechanicsburg, PA., native, Knepper played for Liberty University’s men’s club volleyball and beach volleyball teams prior to graduating in 2019. He helped guide the Liberty men’s volleyball team to its best ever finish at Club Nationals. During his senior season, he was named National Collegiate Volleyball Federation All-America first team, in addition to being named the East Coast Most Valuable Player. Knepper was voted the Male Athlete of the Year by Liberty Club Sports in 2019.
- Knepper earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Psychology from Liberty University, graduating in May 2019. Following his undergraduate degree, he completed his Master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology while working as a volunteer assistant for Liberty Women’s Volleyball.
HELPFUL LINKS
- Fill out our Recruiting Questionnaire
- Follow AU Volleyball on Twitter
- Follow AU Volleyball on Instagram
- Follow AU Volleyball on Facebook
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY
American University is 90-acre, private institution located in the Tenleytown neighborhood. AU has eight schools and colleges: School of International Service, School of Arts and Sciences, Kogod School of Business, School of Communication, School of Professional and Extended Studies, School of Public Affairs, School of Education, and the Washington College of Law. For more information about our academic programs, click here.
UNIVERSITY QUICK FACTS
- Average class size: 23
- 70+ Undergraduate Degrees
- 150+ Student Clubs and Organizations
- Top-5 feeder schools to U.S. Foreign Service, Congressional Staff, and other governmental agencies
- #4 "Most Beautiful Urban Campus" by Best Choice Schools
- Acceptance rate is 29%, making AU "more selective" by U.S. News & World Report
- For a virtual tour of American University, click here
WASHINGTON, D.C.
American University is located in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. On the banks of the Potomac River, bordering both Maryland and Virginia, Washington D.C. is one of the most visited cities in the world. For more information about Washington, D.C. click HERE.