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Men's Volleyball

Northern Kentucky Men’s Volleyball hires Chey Cooper as Assistant Coach

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky University Norse men's volleyball announced the hiring of Chey Cooper as an assistant coach on Monday. Cooper most recently served as an assistant coach at Maryland Eastern Shore. 

"I am very excited to add Chey Cooper as our assistant coach to the NKU Men's Volleyball program," said Norse head coach Jim Palilonis. "Chey's experience playing at the D1 level and overseas gives him a wealth of volleyball knowledge that he excels at passing along to the players he coaches. His ability to relate to his players while creating a winning culture at a new program has already been proven and we look forward to having him as part of the Norse family."

Cooper brings NCAA Division I Men's Volleyball coaching experience to a Norse program entering its second season, having served as an assistant coach at Maryland Eastern Shore, which also competed in its first season in the 2026 campaign. There, Cooper helped lead the Hawks to a winning season in year one, as they finished with a 17-11 overall record and a perfect 11-0 home record while finishing 7-5 in the NEC, tied for the second-best mark in the conference. Cooper oversaw 19 NEC weekly awards, an NEC Rookie of the Year, an NEC All-Conference First Team honoree, two NEC All-Conference Second Team selections, and an All-Tournament Team selection. 

Before his time at MES, Cooper worked as an assistant coach at The St. James Volleyball Club in Springfield, Va., working with the U16 and U17 girls' teams and the 14U boys team, and also served as a Volleyball Program Coordinator with I9 Sports while as a student. 

Cooper earned his Bachelor of Science in Health, Fitness and Recreational Resources at George Mason University while competing as a four-year member on the Patriots' men's volleyball team, earning All-EIVA Academic honors on three occasions. Cooper then earned his Master of Science in Physical Activity, Health, and Society at Durham University, graduating in 2025. 

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