ANNVILLE, Pa. – Lebanon Valley Men's Volleyball Head Coach Andrew Diaz de Padilla has announced the hiring of Eli Halverson as Assistant Coach.

"Coach Halverson is exactly the type of person I want beside me as we build LVC men's volleyball," Diaz de Padilla stated. "I had the privilege of playing with Eli during his first two years at Wittenberg, and even then, his leadership, competitiveness, and commitment to doing things the right way stood out to me immediately. He has lived what it takes to build a winning program, from being a four-year captain to helping lead Wittenberg to the NCAA Division III Final Four for the first time in program history. His volleyball IQ, attention to detail, and ability to connect with people will make an immediate impact on our student-athletes and our program's culture. His passion for the game, his loyalty to the programs he is a part of, and his drive to keep growing make him the perfect addition to our staff. I could not be more excited to welcome Eli to Lebanon Valley College!"

Halverson joins the Dutchmen staff after a decorated career at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio. The 2023 Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League (MCVL) Rookie of the Year was a four-time All-Conference selection who helped lead the Tigers to the 2026 NCAA Division III Final Four, where he earned a spot on the All-Tournament team. The outside hitter finished his career with 1,063 kills, 72 assists, 582 digs, and a program-record 103 service aces. He is the only person in program history with 1,000 career kills, 500 career digs, and 100 career service aces.

"I am incredibly excited to get started at LVC," Halverson stated. "First, I would like to thank Coach Diaz de Padilla for giving me this opportunity. I could not be more confident in our ability to build and sustain a winning culture. Lebanon Valley College is an elite DIII athletics program, and from the moment I stepped on campus, I knew there was a tremendous opportunity for success here. Building a program from the ground up will not be easy, but it gives us a rare opportunity to establish the foundation, standards, and culture of LVC Men's Volleyball from day one. Our first recruiting class will play a major role in shaping the trajectory of this program. The players who choose to be part of this beginning will have the opportunity to leave a lasting impact on the future of LVC Men's Volleyball and help set the standard for years to come. I cannot wait to get started, begin building that foundation, and helping create a program that will achieve lasting success."

Halverson is a 2026 graduate of Wittenberg University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sports Management as well as a double minor in Communications and Data Science. He earned MCVL All-Academic and College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors twice during his career. He also worked as a Camp Coach at Wittenberg and the University of Kentucky while a student-athlete.

What they're saying about Eli Halverson:
Jamie Peterson—Head Men's Volleyball Coach, Wittenberg University (2026 AVCA DIII National Coach of the Year)
"Eli is by far one of the most competitive athletes that I have had the privilege of coaching. He knows that to achieve things you never have, you must change in ways you've never tried. He understands that getting better means being uncomfortable, and I can't wait to watch him impact athletes at LVC the same way. Eli spent a lot of time working on his leadership style and tailoring it to each of his teammates, so it best served the team . I have no doubt that Eli is going to be a great addition to the LVC men's volleyball staff."

Nathan Matthews—Alabama Women's Volleyball Assistant Coach and former two-time MCVL Coach of the Year at Wittenberg
"LVC is getting someone who knows how to build a winning program because he has lived it. Eli led Badin High School to their first State Championship. Then at the collegiate level, he led Wittenberg to its first 3 MCVL Championships and a Final Four. He has proven that the positive impact he brings is immense. For building a program from the ground up, this is the perfect coaching staff. They've been through it and have rings to show for it. Can't wait to see what these guys do at LVC!"

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