Kalamazoo College

Jeanne HessJeanne Hess - Head Coach

The 2009 season marked the 26th volleyball campaign for Kalamazoo College head coach Jeanne Hess, whose tenure at “K” has been a very successful one.

Hess has led the Hornets to five MIAA championships and five NCAA Division III Tournament appearances. Kalamazoo has finished third or higher in the MIAA in 10 of the last 20 seasons.

Hess reached a personal milestone Oct. 28, 1997 when the Hornets rallied from a 2-0 deficit to win at Albion. That victory was the 100th career MIAA win for the Hornet mentor and gave her an all-time league mark of 100-68 (.595).  She earned her 300th career victory in 1998 and 400th on Sept. 6, 2003 against Kenyon.

Through the 2008 season, Hess ranked 19th among active NCAA III coaches with 464 career wins. She ranks in the top 30 all-time among NCAA III coaches.

The Midwest Region Coach of the Year in 1990 and 1991, Hess serves as the AVCA Division III representative to the Board of Directors, a role she has fulfilled since 2003-04. She has previously participated in weekly voting for the American Volleyball Coaches Association National Coaches’ Poll and is a past member of the NCAA Great Lakes Regional Ranking Committee.

Hess received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, where she played varsity volleyball for four seasons (1976-80).  She earned a master’s degree in exercise science from Western Michigan University in 1985.

In addition to coaching volleyball, Hess serves as chair of the department of physical education and athletics. She is also professor of physical education and associate chaplain at Kalamazoo College. She also served as an assistant in both the women's basketball (1991-95) and softball (1996-2001) programs prior to her appointment to the chaplainship in 2001.

Hess and her husband, Jim, reside in Kalamazoo. They have two sons, Andrew and Kevan. Andrew played baseball at the University of Michigan and was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 2007. Kevan played baseball at Western Michigan University and was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 2008.

In May of 2009, Coach Hess was referenced in an article about her son Andrew's blog about life in the minor leagues. Link to Article

Hess’ Record at Kalamazoo College
Year   Overall   MIAA    Place
2009 12-17 6-10 6th
2008 8-22 4-12 7th-T
2007 11-20 5-11 7th
2006 9-19 5-11 7th
2005 6-24 2-14 9th
2004 18-12 11-5 3rd
2003 18-15 6-8 5th
2002 27-11 10-4 3rd
2001    17-12     9-5    4th
2000    14-18     8-6    4th
1999    16-21     4-4    5th-T
1998    24-10    10-6    4th
1997    19-17     7-5    3rd
1996    22-12     9-3    3rd
1995    32-4     12-0    1st
1994    29-8     11-1    1st
1993    26-15    10-2    1st-T
1992    23-13     7-5    3rd
1991    36-4     12-0    1st
1990    30-7     11-1    1st
1989    17-19     5-7    4th-T
1988    13-17     5-7    5th
1987    13-17     5-7    4th
1986    19-22     5-7    5th
1985     6-17    1-11    7th
1984    11-12    0-12    7th
Total  476-385 180-164   --
Overall Winning Percentage:  .553
MIAA Winning Percentage:     .523
MIAA Championships:          Five
NCAA Tournament Appearances: Five

Carrie Brankiewicz
Assistant Coach

Carrie Brankiewicz completed her fifth season as an assistant coach in 2008.

Brankiewicz graduated from Kalamazoo College n 2004 with a degree in biology and a French minor. She studied abroad in Strasbourg, France.

Brankiewicz played volleyball all four years under Coach Hess and was twice selected as a team captain. Brankiewicz earned All-MIAA second team honors in 2002, the same year the Hornets won the MIAA Tournament and advanced to the NCAA III Tournament. In 2003, Brankiewicz was selected to the All-Tournament Team at the Baldwin-Wallace Invitational and earned MIAA coaches' honorable mention honors. Just prior to graduation, Carrie was awarded the Kalamazoo College Department of Athletics "Mary Long Burch Award," presented annually to an outstanding female member of the senior class who has both manifested interest in sports activities and excelled in scholarship.

Carrie is a native of Southfield, Mich. and a graduate of Farmington Hills Mercy High School. She is a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor, and is currently teaching physical education classes at Kalamazoo College while completing a massage training certification program.


Arnis KengisArnis Kengis
Assistant Coach

Arnis Kengis completed his second season as an assistant coach in 2008.