Samantha Neely was named Head Coach of the Women's Volleyball Team after serving as the Interim Head Coach.  After taking over a struggling team (6-14 record) on October 25th, Neely guided the Mounties to 5 additional wins and 3 losses, to finish the 2019 season with an overall record of 11-17. 

Neely brings extensive knowledge of the game and a passion for the sport.  She previously served as the program’s number one assistant and also serves as the assistant coach of the Women’s Beach Volleyball Team. 

Prior to coming to Mt. SAC, she assisted with the La Serna High School volleyball program and currently is a coach at one of the top local clubs, ProPlay Volleyball Club (Fullerton, CA). 

Out of Whittier (CA), Neely prepped at La Serna High School.  She continued her education and volleyball career at Westmont College on an athletic scholarship, where she was an NAIA Second Team All-American (2018), NAIA All-American Honorable Mention (2017), AVCA Southwest Player of the Year (2018), GSAC/NAIA Scholar-Athlete (2018 & 2019), and recipient of the NAIA Champion of Character award (2018). During her junior and senior seasons, she was named team captain and was the Golden State Athletic Conference’s Player of the Year at the right-side hitter and middle blocker positions.  

In July of 2019, Neely played in the Global Challenge Tournament for Senri Kinran University (Japan), one of 26 teams from 13 countries that competed in Pula, Croatia.  

After her collegiate indoor career ended, Neely became a standout member of the inaugural Mt. SAC Beach Volleyball Team in 2019.  As a Mountie, she posted an 11-3 overall record with her beach partner. 

Neely earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology from Westmont College (Santa Barbara, CA) and her Master’s Degree in Kinesiology from California Baptist University (Riverside, CA). She just recently added her second Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from California Baptist University. 

Neely enjoys spending time with friends and family, working out, doing anything creative, and playing competitive beach volleyball in her spare time. 

updated 06/12/23