ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. – The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) announced their Class of 2025 for the Thirty Under 30 award today, with Tyler Zowaski '18, Head Men's Volleyball Coach, among the honorees. 

"I've been around the volleyball coaching community for nearly twenty years and can say with absolute confidence that Tyler is one of the best young coaches I've had the pleasure of working with. I'm thrilled for him to be recognized by the AVCA in that regard," said Bard Director of Athletics, Stefanie Carrington. "He is both a strong technical coach and a thoughtful strategist and he does a great job of balancing the needs of the group with the needs of each individual student athlete. Our men's volleyball program is in really capable hands and I'm excited to see how it continues to flourish under his leadership."

"I'm honored to be recognized as one of the AVCA Thirty Under 30 College award recipients," said Zowaski. "This distinction is deeply meaningful to me not only as a coach, but someone invested in building a men's volleyball program ingrained in collaboration, purpose, and progress. I've had the privilege of leading a group of student-athletes whose curiosity, passion, and hard work continually challenge me to grow as a coach and educator. Their belief in our shared vision and willingness to build an exceptional program inspires me every day. This award also reflects the values that guide my work: a commitment to holistic student-athlete development, confidence in the transformative power of sport, and a deep conviction that athletics and academics should enrich one another. "

Tyler Zowaski '18, an alum of the program, returned to Bard in September of 2022 as the Head Men's Volleyball Coach. Zowaski is in his third season at the helm. This season, he led the Raptors to 12 wins, the most since 2011, which sent them to the NEVC playoffs for the first time in program history. 

Zowaski coached first years Ansel Waisler, Sidney Stein, and Pearse Esposito, who were all honored by the NEVC. Waisler was named the Rookie of the Year and earned a spot on the All-NEVC First Team, Stein made the All-NEVC Second Team, and Esposito made the NEVC Sportsmanship Team. It is the first time in program history that the Raptors have combined a Rookie of the Year award with two all-conference selections. 

Zowaski added, "At Bard, I've seen firsthand how our student-athletes bring the same love of learning to the gym as they do to the classroom.  I remain firm in my commitment to advocating for our student-athletes ensuring they are seen, heard, and supported at the highest level.  I'm proud of what we've accomplished and even more excited about where we're headed.  This recognition affirms the work matters and we are only just getting started." 

During the 2024 season, the team earned three academic accolades: AVCA Team Academic Award, two players named to the CSC Academic All-District Team, and five players named to the NEVC All-Academic Team. Zowaski coached sophomore Quinn Lewis who was named to the NEVC Sportsmanship Team, and graduate student Angel Obergh who finished his Bard career no. 4 all-time in career kills (788) and career aces (130). 

A four-year starter and two-year captain for the Raptors from 2014-18, Zowaski is No. 2 on Bard's all-time digs list. He also holds the No. 4 & 5 spots for digs in a season, and he is tied for second in Bard's record book with 10 aces in a match against Yeshiva in 2017.

Prior to becoming Bard's Head Coach, Zowaski was the top assistant at nearby Vassar in 2021 and 2022, helping the Brewers to No. 5 final national ranking in 2021, and No. 14 in 2022.

Zowaski is the first male coach and third volleyball coach in Bard's history to be recognized by the AVCA as a Thirty Under 30 recipient, with Assistant Men's and Women's Volleyball Coach Allison Regan being recognized last year for Thirty Under 30 Club and Athletic Director and former Bard Volleyball Coach Stefanie Carrington being recognized in 2012 and 2013.