Click here to contact head coach Lenika Vazquez.
Lenika Vazquez was named Head Coach of the Northeastern volleyball team on February 5
th 2020, and enters her fifth season in 2024.
In her fourth season in fall 2023, Northeastern finished with an overall record of 11-14, and went 9-9 in CAA play. The Huskies entered the CAA tournament as the six-seed, and fell to #3 Campbell in straight sets. Under the tutelage of Vazquez, freshman outside hitter Abby Reck had a stellar season, being tabbed to the All-Rookie Team, and graduate student middle blocker Anabel Zier was named to the All-CAA Second Team ranking fifth in the conference with a hitting percentage of .351.
In her third season in fall 2022, Northeastern finished with an overall record of 14-13, and went 10-6 in CAA play. The Huskies entered the CAA tournament as the four-seed, and took down five-seed Elon in the quarterfinals in four sets, marking the program's first victory in a CAA quarterfinal since 2013. Northeastern took on host Towson in the semifinals, and gave the eventual 2022 CAA Champion Tigers all they an handle in a close three sets defeat. Senior outside hitter Erica Staunton was tabbed to the All-CAA First Team and senior middle blocker Nailah Jenkins garnered All-CAA Second Team accolades.
In her second season at the helm in fall 2021, the Huskies finished with an overall record of 12-15, and went 8-8 in CAA play. Northeastern stunned first-place Elon the weekend of October 23-24, sweeping the Phoenix with a five-set win and a three-set win. The Huskies entered the CAA Tournament as the No. 5 seed, and took on No. 4 seed Delaware in the quarterfinals, coming up short in three sets, two of which were decided by two-points. Erica Staunton and Nailah Jenkins earned All-CAA Second Team honors, and after a great freshman campaign, setter Jessica Frannea garnered All-Rookie Team accolades.
In her initial season in spring 2020-21, the Huskies had a stellar season, finishing with an overall record of 8-3, and 4-1 in CAA play. Northeastern clinched the No.2 seed in the CAA North division for the conference tournament. The Huskies stunned South Division No. 1 seed JMU in the semifinals in four sets, propelled by double-digit kill performances from Erica Staunton and Defne Arliel. In the title match, the Huskies gave North Division No. 1 seed Towson all it can handle in three close sets that were within reach. Samantha Shupe was tabbed CAA Setter of the Year, Nailah Jenkins and Erica Staunton earned All-CAA First Team accolades, libero Kayla Martin earned All-CAA Second Team honors and Defne Arliel earned an All-Rookie team nod.
COACHING CAREER
- Head Coach at Canisius College (2016-2019)
- Led the Golden Griffins to consecutive second-place finishes in the MAAC
- Tied program record for most conference wins in 2018 (14)
- Mentored the 2018 MAAC Libero of the Year
- Assistant Coach at Butler (2012-2015)
- Consecutive 20 win seasons (2013, 2014)
- Coached at South Suburban College (2010-11)
- Coached at Chicago State (2005, 2007, 2008)
- Co-founded Illiana Explosive Volleyball Club (Crete, Illinois)
PLAYING CAREER
- Four year defensive specialist at Southern Illinois (1997-2000)
- Finished third in the Missouri Valley Conference after a 19 win season in 1998
- After graduating, was an assistant on the 2002 team that reached the MVC Finals
| HEAD COACHING RECORD |
| Seasons |
School |
Overall |
Pct. |
Conf. |
Pct. |
Regular
Season |
Conference Tournament |
Postseason Tournament |
| 2023 |
Northeastern |
11-14 |
.440 |
9-9 |
.500 |
11-13 |
CAA Quarterfinal |
|
| 2022 |
Northeastern |
14-13 |
.518 |
10-6 |
.625 |
13-12 |
CAA Semifinal |
|
| 2021 |
Northeastern |
12-15 |
.444 |
8-8 |
.500 |
12-14 |
CAA Quarterfinal |
|
| 2020-21 |
Northeastern |
8-3 |
.727 |
3-1 |
.750 |
7-2 |
CAA Championship |
-- |
| 2016-19 |
Canisius |
49-66 |
.426 |
39-33 |
.542 |
MAAC tournament record: 1-2 |
| 2005, 2007, 2008 |
Chicago State |
8-82 |
.089 |
1-13 |
.071 |
|
| 11 seasons |
Career |
102-193 |
.345 |
70-70 |
.500 |
Postseason record: 3-5 |
