LEXINGTON, Ky. - Lander assistant volleyball coach Kathryn Settle has been named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association's 2023 Thirty Under 30 group, the association announced Thursday. 

Thirty Under 30 honors up-and-coming coaches at all levels of volleyball—college, high school, and club—and the recipients serve in a range of roles, from head coach to volunteer assistant to club director. To qualify for the award, nominees had to be under 30 as of Dec. 31, 2022.

Settle is finishing her third season on the Lander staff and has helped the Bearcats see an 18-win improvement since her first season. This past season saw Lander finish 21-10 overall and second in the Peach Belt. The Bearcats advance to the NCAA Southeast regional for the first time since 2018 and advanced to the round of 32 for the second time in program history. 

While at Lander, Settle has coached one AVCA All-America Honorable Mention, two CCA All-Region Selections, one AVCA All-Region Selection, two PBC Freshmen of the Year, one PBC Player of the Year, one PBC Libero of the Year, and 4 PBC All-Conference Selections. 

"I am honored to have been selected to this years 30 under 30," Settle said. "There are so many amazing coaches and leaders in the sport that have received this recognition and it is incredibly humbling to be considered worthy of being a part of that group. Thank you to Jeff Reynolds for the nomination and constant guidance, our athletes, my friends and family, and my husband for creating the best support system. I wouldn't be anything without each of you."