PuaLehua Keola joined the Florida Institute of Technology volleyball program as an assistant coach in April 2023 and has played an important role in the program’s rapid rise within the Sunshine State Conference. In her first season on the Panthers’ staff in 2023, Keola helped guide Florida Tech to key milestones, including a regular-season sweep of Barry for the first time since 2008 and a strong 4–0 start at the Rollins College Invitational. Her contributions in training, match preparation, and player development supported a young roster navigating a challenging conference schedule.
The 2024 season marked a historic breakthrough for the program, with Keola helping Florida Tech earn its first-ever NCAA Tournament bid after a 20–9 regular-season finish. The Panthers recorded a program-best 14 Sunshine State Conference victories and produced the first two All-Americans in school history, reflecting the staff’s emphasis on competitive growth and consistency. Prior to arriving at Florida Tech, Keola spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Davis & Elkins College, where she helped lead the Senators to three consecutive top-three finishes in the Mountain East Conference South Division. She also gained experience as a club coach with Southern Colorado Precision Volleyball. A former student-athlete at Colorado State University–Pueblo, Keola completed a five-year playing career as a defensive specialist and earned degrees in exercise science and coaching and administration. A native of Honolulu, Hawaii, she brings both competitive experience and a strong academic foundation to her role with the Panthers.
