LIVINGSTON – Jordan Lay has been named head volleyball coach at the University of West Alabama, according to an announcement today by UWA Athletic Director Stan Williamson.

Lay comes to West Alabama from Belhaven University, where he was named the 2012 Southern State Athletic Conference coach of the year after guiding the Blazers to a 27-9 regular season record, 9-5 in conference play. Combined with a pair of wins in the SSAC Tournament, Lay’s team set the Belhaven record for victories in a season with 29.

“We are very excited to have Jordan Lay joining the UWA family. Coach Lay comes to UWA after successful experiences at Belhaven and Butler,” Williamson said. “We believe Coach Lay to be a person of maturity and integrity who will be a strong and successful leader of the UWA volleyball program.”

A graduate of Butler University, where he was head coach of the women’s volleyball club that won the 2010 Vanderbilt Invitational, Lay served as an assistant coach at Belhaven during the 2011 season. The Blazers finished 23-10 that season, the third-highest win total in school history.

“I am very humbled by the opportunity UWA has given to me. I am very excited to get in and begin working immediately,” Lay said. “The immense support from the community and the staff, paired with the returners we have, sets the volleyball program up for success.

“I want to instill passion, unity and pride in our program,” Lay said. “We will strive to be something the whole UWA community can take pride in year-in and year-out.”

In addition to being a strong regional recruiter, Lay’s connections in the Midwest are expected to expand UWA’s volleyball recruiting base and presence. He served as an assistant coach with Team Indiana Volleyball Club and at Park Tudor High School in Indianapolis before relocating to Belhaven.

“I am setting high expectations moving forward, but success is not immediate and it is not something that is just handed to you,” Lay said. “We will have to work hard in every aspect of the game to achieve success.”

A native of Indianapolis, Ind., Lay earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Butler in 2011. He is currently pursuing a Master’s of Business Administration.