2008 Coaches

Coach Steve Yarnell will be entering his fourth season as head coach of the Bluffton University volleyball program. He is also an instructor in the health, physical education and recreation department.

In his third season at the helm, Yarnell led the team to an overall record of 11-20, including a 2-6 mark in the Heartland Conference, while building a solid foundation to reconstruct the tradition of past years. With a deep class of incoming freshmen and nine returners, most of whom saw significant action in 2008, Yarnell and the Beavers look to be a formidable opponent in a competitive Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference.

Yarnell graduated from the University of Findlay in 2003 with a bachelor's of science degree in physical education. He also completed his master's degree from Findlay in 2005 in education with a technology emphasis.

Prior to assuming the role as head coach for the Bluffton University volleyball team, Yarnell was the first assistant coach for the men's and women's volleyball programs at the University of Findlay in 2004. Before that, Yarnell was the graduate assistant for the men's volleyball team at Findlay.

Yarnell was a varsity volleyball player at Findlay from 2000-03. He was honored as academic all-conference his junior and senior seasons as well as being named to two all-tournament teams as a player during his career. Yarnell was also a gold medal winner for the United States volleyball squad at the Australia Down Under Games.

He has been highly active in the local volleyball scene as he worked extensively with volleyball camps and local volleyball clubs. Yarnell, an Impact and CAP level 1 certified coach, is a member of USA Volleyball and the American Volleyball Coaches Association. He directs numerous camps and clinics at Bluffton University and at high school campuses throughout the state.

Coach Yarnell and his wife, Kelly, reside in Bluffton with their one-year-old daughter, Gracie, and their dog, Scooby.

Kelly Lepley returns for her second season as the assistant coach for the Bluffton University volleyball team.

Lepley spent four years as a member of the Beavers' volleyball team. A 2005 graduate of Bluffton University, majoring in early childhood education, Lepley was the libero, placing herself at the top of the record books. Lepley holds the record for digs per game in a season (6.66) and is fourth on that same list (5.17). She also holds the record for digs per game in a career (4.89) and is second in total digs for a season (659). As a captain her senior year, Kelly was ranked as high as 16th in the nation for most digs per game. That same year she was also named to the HCAC All-Academic team.

Lepley has coached for the Bean City Volleyball Club in Lima, Ohio, for two seasons and was the seventh grade volleyball coach at North Middle School, also in Lima.

She resides in Lima with her husband, Travis Lepley, who is the throws coach for the Bluffton track and field team.