Volleyball Coaches

Head Coach

Jay Howell

jay.p.howell@svcc.edu

Jay Howell is a seven-time Region 4 Coach of the Year and has compiled a record of 428–209 in his 16 seasons at SVCC. Howell’s Skyhawks have won eight Arrowhead Conference regular-season championships. They have qualified for the NJCAA Division II National Tournament eight times (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2025), placing 6^th in 2016, 8^th in 2017, 5^th in 2020 and 5^th in 2021.

SVCC has had 11 All-Americans in Howell’s tenure, including the 2021 National Player of the Year, Michal Willman. He has coached 88 combined all-conference and all-region performers, as well as 23 Academic All-Americans.

Prior to coming to the Skyhawks, Howell coached volleyball for 11 years at Newman Central Catholic High School and Excess Volleyball Club. Howell holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois and is employed by American Surveying and Engineering. Jay resides in Dixon with his wife, Sue. They have seven children and 14 grandchildren.

Team Manager

Baylie Howell

Assistant Coach

Abby Cox

abby.e.cox@svcc.edu

Abby Cox enters her second season back as assistant volleyball coach for the Skyhawks. As a previous assistant coach from 2012-2015, she was a part of the first SVCC volleyball team to advance to the National Tournament in 2014. With eight years of experience, Cox has coached the sport at the middle school and high school levels as well as various club teams. Se graduated from Newman High School in 2005 and played basketball for the Skyhawks from 2005-2007. Cox graduated from Western Illinois University and Northern Illinois University with Master’s Degrees in both Special Education and Educational Administration. Coach Cox is a special education teacher at East Coloma-Nelson School, lives in Sterling with her son and daughter and is looking forward to working with the talented group of players this season!

Assistant Coach

Mekhi McGlown

Mekhi McGlown is in his first year as assistant volleyball coach for the Skyhawks. Mekhi is a graduate of Dixon High School and is a Sauk Valley Alum.  He is currently enrolled in Northern Illinois University’s BSN Nursing Program. Mekhi competes in high level volleyball leagues and tournaments, bringing a fresh perspective to the program.