CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Lesley University Director of Athletics Jen Benway announced Jim Ray as the Head Women's Volleyball Coach, Tuesday afternoon. Ray begins his tenure as head coach of both the men's and women's programs this spring and will lead recruiting efforts for the fall 2017 season.

With over 20 years of experience coaching competitive volleyball, Ray currently is in his first year at the helm of the Lesley men's volleyball program. As the Lynx head coach he helped and watched a talented, young Lynx squad develop and progress over the course of the 2017 season.

"Jim has a true passion for the game of volleyball and his strong coaching pedigree will lift the team to the next level," says Benway. "I look forward to watching the team grow and develop as students, players and leaders. I'm excited to have Jim on board and am confident he will guide the women's program back to their winning tradition."

Prior to arriving in Cambridge, Ray was the longtime head girls' volleyball coach at Tewksbury Memorial High School where he coached the Redmen to two Merrimack Valley Conference Small School titles. He also was named the Merrimack Valley Conference Coach of the Year three times as well as was selected as the Lowell Sun Coach of the Year in 2010.

"It is an honor to be selected to oversee the women's program," Ray says. "I am coming to a team that had a great 2016 campaign and I look forward to preparing the team for continued success."

An accredited Level 1 USA Volleyball coach, Ray also spent four years coaching boys' volleyball at Billerica Memorial High School from 2009 to 2012. Additionally, he also served as the Girls Junior Olympic Club Coach at PUMAS Volleyball Club in Andover as well as associated with the Gold Medal Squared Coaches Program.