O'Keefe Hired as Assistant Volleyball Coach
4/27/2018 11:31:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
O'Keefe joined the Dayton staff during the summer of 2017 after graduating of Saint Xavier University.
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"Going through the interview process, Dan's passion for the game and enthusiasm for coaching stood out immediately," Matters said. "He has all the qualities I was looking for in an assistant and is someone I am excited to build this program for years to come. His coaching style and background fit perfectly with the culture here at Wright State University and Athletic Department. Dan will make an immediate impact for us both on and off the court."
O'Keefe coached six Atlantic 10 All-Conference players during his time at Dayton, including the Setter of the Year (Jane Emmenecker) and Player of the Year (Amber Erhahon). Senior middle blocker Amber Erhahon was also named a member of the AVCA Honorable Mention All-America Team after finishing the 2017 season ranked fourth nationally with a .422 hitting percentage and 54th nationally with 1.22 blocks per set. Her .413 career hitting percentage is a Dayton program record. The Flyers finished the 2017 season with an overall record of 23-8, with a conference record of 13-1.
"First, I would like to thank Bob Grant, Joylynn Brown, and most importantly Allie Matters for this incredible opportunity," O'Keefe said. "After speaking with Allie and members of the athletic administration it was very clear that Wright State University is where I am meant to continue my collegiate coaching career. I know I will grow tremendously under the mentorship of Allie, and I am thrilled to have an opportunity to contribute to and be a part of the Raiders future success."
O'Keefe has been an active coach in the club, high school, and local volleyball community in Chicago since 2014. During his time at Michio Chicago Volleyball Academy, he helped lead the Michio 17 National Team to a fifth-place finish at the USAV Girls Junior National Championship (17 Open) in 2015, followed by a ninth-place finish at AAUs (16 Open) with the Michio 16 National Team in 2016.
O'Keefe served as the Junior Varsity Girl's Volleyball Head Coach at St. Ignatius College Preparatory High School in 2016, after a successful season as the head coach of the freshman team in 2015. During his time with the Wolfpack, O'Keefe tallied a 41-17 (.707) record.
Additionally, O'Keefe has been a camp and clinic coach for Elite Volleyball Program on the south side of Chicago since 2014. He has worked dozens of camps and clinics with Elite, from fundamental camps for grade school athletes to high level high school clinics with some of the best coaches in the area.
O'Keefe, a native of Chicago, was a 2016 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Second Team and All-Academic Team selection at Saint Xavier. He was also a two-time SXU Student-Athlete Gold Medal winner.
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