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The University of Utah Athletics
Stanley Named a 2025 AVCA Thirty Under 30 College Award Honoree
4/22/2025 12:00 PM | Volleyball
Utes assistant volleyball coach recognized for his teaching and mentoring of student-athletes
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Utah Volleyball assistant coach Wil Stanley has been recognized by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) as a recipient of the organization's Thirty Under 30 Award for 2025, in the College Awards division.
The Thirty Under 30 College Award recipients includes women's and men's coaches who are rising leaders in the sport. These honorees, according to the AVCA, work hard and are passionate about teaching, helping players reach their full potential, and growing the game at the collegiate level.
"I couldn't be more pleased for Wil to receive this award," said Utah head coach Beth Launiere, who enters her 36th year leading the Utes' program in 2025. "Wil started his collegiate coaching career at Utah right out of college and has become one of the top young talents in our profession. He has a high volleyball IQ and a passion for the sport that is second to none. His impact on our offense has been significant and he has brought our recruiting program to another level since being named recruiting coordinator in 2022, highlighted by a top-25 recruiting class this past year. I'm grateful for the work and dedication he has shown the Utah Volleyball program and I can't think of a more deserving person of this award by the AVCA."
Stanley joined the Utah Volleyball Program in 2021 as a volunteer assistant coach and quickly rose up to a full-time coaching position in 2022, serving as recruiting coordinator a year later. His main responsibilities include guiding the Utes offensive attack.
"I want to thank the AVCA for this amazing recognition and joining a list of so many distinguished and respected coaches," Stanley said. "I'd also like to express my gratitude to Beth Launiere for the opportunity she gave me, taking a chance on a young kid just out of college four years ago. I'm thankful for the mentorship and lessons from her."
Stanley's impact has included helping Utah to reel in a Top 25 recruiting class in the nation for 2025, and significant improvement in Utah's offensive performance in 2024. In their first season in the Big 12, the Utes ranked 18th in the nation in kills per set (14.0), 28th in assists per set (12.9) and 32nd in hitting efficiency (.269). In her final season, Allie Olsen ranked as the 19th-most efficient attacker in the nation with a hitting percentage of .401.
"I'm also appreciative of all who have been a part of the Utah Volleyball family in my time here," Stanley added. "Between colleagues and athletes, I have so many memories and experiences that have helped shape my career. Utah Athletics has been an amazing blessing in my life and it has treated my wife and me so well. We are so excited for all the great things happening in Salt Lake City and the University of Utah!"
In his time at Utah, Stanley has coached three All-Americans, nine all-conference and six All-Region selections, as well two members of the Pac-12 All-Freshman team, one Big 12 All-Freshman team honoree and one Region Freshman of the Year.
The Utes finished third in the Big 12 last season and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament. In his first season in 2021 the Utes similarly advanced to the NCAA second round after finishing third in the Pac-12.
A native of Honolulu, Hawaii, Stanley was a two-time All-American as a setter in his collegiate playing career at BYU from 2017-21. He was a four-time MPSF All-Academic honoree and graduated from BYU in 2021 with a bachelor's degree in psychology.
Wil Stanley's AVCA Honoree Bio
The Thirty Under 30 College Award recipients includes women's and men's coaches who are rising leaders in the sport. These honorees, according to the AVCA, work hard and are passionate about teaching, helping players reach their full potential, and growing the game at the collegiate level.
"I couldn't be more pleased for Wil to receive this award," said Utah head coach Beth Launiere, who enters her 36th year leading the Utes' program in 2025. "Wil started his collegiate coaching career at Utah right out of college and has become one of the top young talents in our profession. He has a high volleyball IQ and a passion for the sport that is second to none. His impact on our offense has been significant and he has brought our recruiting program to another level since being named recruiting coordinator in 2022, highlighted by a top-25 recruiting class this past year. I'm grateful for the work and dedication he has shown the Utah Volleyball program and I can't think of a more deserving person of this award by the AVCA."
Stanley joined the Utah Volleyball Program in 2021 as a volunteer assistant coach and quickly rose up to a full-time coaching position in 2022, serving as recruiting coordinator a year later. His main responsibilities include guiding the Utes offensive attack.
"I want to thank the AVCA for this amazing recognition and joining a list of so many distinguished and respected coaches," Stanley said. "I'd also like to express my gratitude to Beth Launiere for the opportunity she gave me, taking a chance on a young kid just out of college four years ago. I'm thankful for the mentorship and lessons from her."
Stanley's impact has included helping Utah to reel in a Top 25 recruiting class in the nation for 2025, and significant improvement in Utah's offensive performance in 2024. In their first season in the Big 12, the Utes ranked 18th in the nation in kills per set (14.0), 28th in assists per set (12.9) and 32nd in hitting efficiency (.269). In her final season, Allie Olsen ranked as the 19th-most efficient attacker in the nation with a hitting percentage of .401.
"I'm also appreciative of all who have been a part of the Utah Volleyball family in my time here," Stanley added. "Between colleagues and athletes, I have so many memories and experiences that have helped shape my career. Utah Athletics has been an amazing blessing in my life and it has treated my wife and me so well. We are so excited for all the great things happening in Salt Lake City and the University of Utah!"
In his time at Utah, Stanley has coached three All-Americans, nine all-conference and six All-Region selections, as well two members of the Pac-12 All-Freshman team, one Big 12 All-Freshman team honoree and one Region Freshman of the Year.
The Utes finished third in the Big 12 last season and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament. In his first season in 2021 the Utes similarly advanced to the NCAA second round after finishing third in the Pac-12.
A native of Honolulu, Hawaii, Stanley was a two-time All-American as a setter in his collegiate playing career at BYU from 2017-21. He was a four-time MPSF All-Academic honoree and graduated from BYU in 2021 with a bachelor's degree in psychology.
Wil Stanley's AVCA Honoree Bio
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