Lee Maes

One of the nation’s top assistant coaches, Lee Maes (pronounced MAYS) begins his third season as head assistant coach in the Nebraska program. Before joining the Husker staff in January of 2005, Maes served as an assistant at the University of California for eight years. In his role at Nebraska, Maes handles player training and works extensively with the middle blockers while serving as the Huskers' recruiting coordinator. He also handles opponent scouting and game preparation and oversees Nebraska’s summer camp program.

In his two seasons at Nebraska, Maes' teaching has been evident, as the Huskers have posted a 66-3 record and reached the national title match in both 2005 and 2006. He has also helped develop eight AVCA All-Americans, including national players of the year Christina Houghtelling and Sarah Pavan.

Maes played an instrumental role in the Huskers’ third national title run in 2006, as Nebraska led the nation in both kills and assists per game while ranking second in hitting percentage. Four Huskers earned AVCA All-America honors, including middle blocker Tracy Stalls, who led the Big 12 with a .400 hitting percentage while ranking fifth in the league in blocking. Maes also played a major role in the development of Amanda Gates and Kori Cooper, as the pair combined for 1.70 kills and 1.15 blocks per game while splitting time at the other middle blocker position in replacing three-time All-American Melissa Elmer.

In his first year at Nebraska, Maes made an immediate impact, helping NU to 33 wins and an appearance in the national title match. He trained a nation-leading four All-Americans, including three first-team honors. Elmer became the country's dominant middle blocker under his watch, leading the NCAA in blocks in both 2004 and 2005, setting a Big 12 record with 250 blocks in her final year at NU.

In addition to his work in the Husker program, Maes has accumulated extensive national and international experience with the USA Volleyball program for the past 14 years. For the past two years, Maes has coached the U.S. Junior National A2 Team, leading the squad to gold medals at the 2006 High Performance Championships and the 2007 European Global Challenge in Pula, Croatia. In 2004 and 2005, he coached with the National A2 Team, winning the gold medal at the 2004 U.S. Open Championships, where he served as an assistant to NU Coach John Cook. Prior to that role, he led the Girls’ National High Performance Team as head coach in training and competition from 1999 to 2003. Maes also coached the USA Girls Youth National Team in both 1998 and 1999, leading the United States to a gold medal at the NORCECA Zone Championship in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

Before Nebraska

Maes was instrumental in helping California's rise after arriving on the Berkeley campus in 1998. The Golden Bears reached the NCAA Tournament each of his last three seasons - a first for California since the late 1980s. He was involved in all aspects of the Golden Bear program, including on-court training and opponent scouting, and recruited a total of 11 All-Pac-10 Conference performers, including two-time All-American Mia Jerkov.

In 2004, the Golden Bears went 17-12, including wins over eventual national champion Stanford and national semifinalist USC, and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Maes also assisted in the development of Camille Leffall, who earned second-team AVCA All-America honors in 2004. Maes was promoted to associate head coach following the 2003 season in which California finished 25-7 overall and advanced to its first NCAA Regional.

In addition to his experience in helping with California’s women’s volleyball program, Maes served as the Bears’ head men’s volleyball coach from 1997 to 2000. In his first season, he guided Cal to the NCCVL Conference championship and a national runner-up finish at the NIRSA Collegiate Club National Championship. That season culminated in Maes being honored as coach of the year, as he helped produce a pair of first-team All-Americans and a second-team All-American. Maes’ men’s team recorded three straight top-five national finishes (1998-2000), amassing an overall record of 98-27.

In January of 2007, Maes was named Director of Player and Program Development of the Nebraska Volleyball Academy. In that role, he serves as a mentor for the club coaching staffs, implements program guidelines and develops curriculum for the club programs.

Prior to arriving at Cal, Maes spent seven seasons coaching with the Ichiban Volleyball Club, winning five medals at the Junior Olympic National Championships, including a national title in 1996. Two of his former club players, Misty May and Heather Bown, represented the United States at the 2004 Olympic Games. During his 15 years as a junior club coach for both boys and girls, Maes coached and trained over two dozen junior and high school All-Americans while more than 100 of his former club players have gone on to play at the collegiate level.

While at California, Maes coached with the Golden Bear Volleyball Club. In 2003, his Golden Bear 18-Forefront team earned the 18-Open bronze medal at the Junior Olympic Championships. Maes served as the girls’ varsity head coach at Lakewood (Calif.) High School from 1989 to 1997. He was also the boys’ varsity coach at Edison High School in Huntington Beach for four seasons (1993-97).

A native of Long Beach, Calif., Maes graduated from Long Beach State in 1994 with a degree in broadcast journalism and geography.