Coaching Staff

Volleyball

Rhonda Faunce is entering her 24th season as the Head Volleyball Coach at Elmira College.  During her tenure with the team, Faunce coached the Soaring Eagles to three NCAA tournament appearances, an ECAC Championship, an Empire 8 Championship and eleven New York State Women’s Collegiate Association (NYSWCAA) tournament invitations.   In 2000, Faunce earned the Empire 8 Coach of the Year, as well as American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Northeast Region Co-Coach of the Year honors. That same season she was presented the prestigious NYSWCAA Service Award, given for outstanding contributions to New York State Women’s Intercollegiate Athletics.

After a 28-8 effort in 2010, Coach Faunce stands at 478 career victories – ranking her in the top 25 on the NCAA Division III all-time list.   In both 2010 and 2008, Faunce guided the Soaring Eagles to a birth in the ECAC Tournament. In 2010 the Purple and Gold went all the way to the championship game, before falling to FDU-Florham.

Under Coach Faunce’s watch seven players have earned AVCA Regional All-America honors. In addition, two Soaring Eagles have been named Academic All-Americans, and two were named NYSWCAA scholar-athletes.

A native of Great Bend, New York, Faunce earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Ithaca College in 1985. Two years later she received a master’s degree from Ithaca in Teaching Behaviors and Sport Psychology. As an undergraduate, Faunce was twice named an Honorable Mention All-American in volleyball, while guiding the Bombers to two New York State championships and two NCAA appearances.

In addition to her volleyball duties at Elmira College, Faunce is the Head Softball Coach, Director of Physical Education, and Coordinator of the Locke Pool.

Softball

Rhonda Faunce is entering her 24th season as Head Softball Coach at Elmira College.  Her list of achievements includes two ECAC tournament appearances, three Empire 8 Championship tournaments and eight New York State Women’s Collegiate Association (NYSWCAA) tournament invitations. In 2000, Faunce was presented the prestigious NYSWCAA Service Award for outstanding contributions to New York State Women’s Intercollegiate Athletics.

In 2003, Faunce achieved a milestone, earning her 200th win at Elmira College . Eight wins in 2011 moved Faunce to 270 career victories. She currently holds the program’s all-time record for victories.

During her tenure, seven players have earned All-Conference honors. She also had several All-State selections, a NYSWCAA scholar-athlete, and an Academic All-American.

A native of Great Bend, New York, Faunce earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Ithaca College in 1985. Two years later she received a Master’s degree from Ithaca in Teaching Behaviors and Sport Psychology. As an undergraduate, Faunce was twice named an Honorable Mention All-American in volleyball, while guiding the Bombers to two New York State championships and two NCAA appearances.

In addition to her softball duties at Elmira College, Faunce is the Head Volleyball Coach, Director of Physical Education, and Coordinator of the Locke Pool.

Jeff Lennox is in his third season recruiting as the Head Men's Volleyball Coach and fourth season as Assistant Women's Volleyball Coach. Lennox, a 2008 graduate of Juniata College, earned a B.S. in Accounting during his time as an undergraduate. 

Before Elmira, Coach Lennox was the head coach of the 18-and-under Nittany Valley Juniors Club, a program dedicated to developing young players in State College, PA. Lennox also coached the Kaepa Lions Pride Club’s 17-and-under team and at midseason he assumed head coach responsibilities of the Club’s 18-and-under team and helped them to an East Coast Championship title. 

Lennox served as an assistant for the Huntingdon Area High School Boy’s and Girl’s Volleyball teams.   His efforts resulted in four District Championships and four First Team All-State honorees.   As a first year student at Juniata, Lennox was a team manager for the 2004 National Championship Women’s Volleyball team.

In addition to his responsibilities as Assistant Volleyball Coach, Lennox is pursuing a Master’s degree at Elmira College.

Kevin Kirchhoff enters his second year at Elmira College as the Assistant Men’s Volleyball Coach and Head Junior Varsity Women’s Volleyball Coach.

Kirchhoff is a 2010 graduate of Nazareth College where he earned a B.A. in History with a concentration in Adolescence Inclusive Education. Kirchhoff’s academic achievements include being a member of the History Honors Society, Phi Alpha Theta, and Empire 8 President’s List.

Kirchhoff was a four year standout for the Nazareth College Men’s Volleyball program. He served as a team captain, setter, and defensive specialist for the team. Prior to Elmira College, Kirchhoff served as the Women’s Volleyball Assistant Coach for Penfield High School and Head Coach for the Pittsford Boys Club.

Kirchhoff will pursue his Master’s Degree at Elmira College.