FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alayon-Wilkins Joins Pace After 11 Seasons at Manhattanville College.
PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – Amanda Alayon-Wilkins has been named head coach of the Pace volleyball program, Director of Athletics Mark Brown announced on Friday.
"I am extremely excited to bring Coach Alayon-Wilkins to Pace," said Brown. "She has a long history of developing solid teams and outstanding student-athletes, and I believe her enthusiasm is just what our volleyball program needs at this time. Her national recruiting relationships will attract top volleyball players to Pace, and I'm really optimistic about the future of our program under Amanda's leadership."
Alayon-Wilkins joins the Setters following 11 seasons as the head volleyball coach of Manhattanville College, where she led her squads to nine double-figure victory seasons and finishes her tenure as the Valiants' all-time wins leader.
"I would like to thank Director of Athletics Mark Brown, Associate Athletics Director Claudia Stabile, and the entire search committee, for trusting in my vision for the Pace women's volleyball program," said Alayon-Wilkins.
"I am beyond grateful for this opportunity and cannot wait to bring my enthusiasm and passion to this program. Pace provides student-athletes with both an excellent education and a competitive athletic experience and has the potential to be a top competitor in the NE10. I am very much looking forward to getting started with the program this spring," she added.
Alayon-Wilkins was named Skyline Conference Coach of the Year in 2019 after guiding Manhattanville to a 24-6 overall record, an 11-0 conference mark, a regular-season title, a conference championship, and the program's first-ever trip to the NCAA championships. Additionally, senior outside hitter Austen Brauer was named the 2019 Skyline Conference Player of the Year.
Alayon-Wilkins capped off her career at Manhattanville this past fall with another conference championship game appearance, the program's second straight. The Valiants were also regionally ranked during the season by both the AVCA and the NCAA.
Coach Alayon-Wilkins' squad earned four All-Conference recognitions this past fall, including Grace Ballagas tabbed as the Skyline's Co-Rookie of the Year.
Prior to the 2021 season, Alayon-Wilkins was named to the AVCA's prestigious "Thirty Under 30" list—an award that recognizes up-and-coming volleyball coaching talent at all levels of the sport.
In addition to the coaching acumen, Alayon-Wilkins also brings Division I on-court experience to the Setters.
A defensive specialist at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Alayon-Wilkins had a four-year career with the Knights from 2007-2011 where she recorded 507 digs, 47 service aces and 47 assists. In her final two years, she started all 64 matches.
Alayon-Wilkins graduated from FDU in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities.
-Release provided by Pace athletic communications-
ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 14 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.
Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.
