George Mason University women's volleyball head coach
Aylene Ilkson has announced that MJ Kolze will join her staff as a volunteer assistant coach.
Kolze is currently pursuing her PhD in industrial and organizational psychology at Mason.
"We are excited to welcome MJ into the Mason volleyball family," said Ilkson. "A PHD candidate in industrial and organizational psychology, MJ will be able to use her academic background along with her athletic experience to help our women become more well-rounded athletes and competitors. She will be primarily focused on helping train the setters and we could not be more enthusiastic about her abilities. MJ has a love for the game that brought her to the Mason program and back into the collegiate setting which we are very grateful for."
Kolze was recognized by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) as one of its Thirty Under 30 honorees, a program created to recognize 30 up-and-coming volleyball coaches age 30 and under at all levels of the game. She earned the AVCA Networks Award and Innovation Award in 2020 and 2021.
She currently serves as the head coach for Virginia Fusion Volleyball 17's for the 2021-22 season. Prior to that, she was the inaugural varsity head volleyball coach at Lightridge High School in 2020-21. The team earned the AVCA/USMC Team Academic Award and Dig Pink Philanthropic Achievement Award.
In addition, she is an adjunct professor for George Washington and Trinity Washington, teaching psychology courses.
"I am beyond excited to join the George Mason women's volleyball staff," said Kolze. "After years of coaching at the club and high school levels, I am looking forward to experiencing coaching at the collegiate level. I want to thank Aylene and Nick, who have already taught me so much, and who are creating a unique space for me to apply my knowledge and experiences in Industrial and Organizational Psychology to competitive athletics. I love developing young women as leaders through sport, and the opportunity to continue that line of work at a higher level is a dream come true. WE ARE MASON!"
Kolze played for Missouri State (2010-14) where she earned at-large bids to two NCAA Tournaments and garnered Academic All-Conference honors her senior year. The Bears posted 20+ wins in four of her five seasons.
A native of Tempe, Ariz., Kolze earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Missouri State in 2012 and master's degree in industrial and organizational psychology from Mason in 2018.
