Kaitlin Nielsen was formerly the Associate Head Coach of the University of Kansas Jayhawk volleyball team from 2018-2024. While at Kansas, Nielsen has coached 12 All-Big 12 selections, 5 All-Big 12 Rookie Team selections, 1 Big 12 Freshman of the Year and 9 AVCA All-Region honorees. The Jayhawks also made four NCAA Tournament appearances including three 2nd round finishes and one Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2021.
Prior to Kansas, Nielsen spent six seasons at UCLA, helping the Bruins compile a record of 123-67. She mentored 18 All-American award winners, 16 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Region honorees and 24 All-Pac 12 awardees. The Bruins also reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament in four-straight campaigns, which included a 2016 NCAA Regional Final appearance.
Nielsen also served as an inaurgal UCLA Beach Volleyball in 2013. In that season a pair of UCLA doubles teams reached the AVCA National Championships and one Bruin became the program’s first All-American. In 2014 the UCLA Beach team made a team appearence at the Beach Championships.
An up-and-coming coach, the UCLA graduate received the 2016 AVCA Thirty Under 30 Award, which recognizes coaching talent at all levels of the sport for those under 30-years old.
A standout attacker in her playing time at UCLA (2005-09), Nielsen (then Kaitlin Sather) appeared in 132 matches and 448 sets, producing 1,501 kills, 1,153 digs, 99 service aces and 279 blocks.
As a freshman in 2005, Sather was named to the All-Pac-10 Freshman team, while in her sophomore campaign she helped UCLA earn an appearance in the NCAA National Semifinals.
In 2007, Sather was again recognized by the league, earning All-Pac-10 Honorable Mention, while also earning All-Region accolades. UCLA nearly reached the semifinal round of the NCAA Tournament for the second-consecutive season, but fell one match short.
After a one-year redshirt campaign in 2008 due to shoulder surgery, she returned for her senior and arguably most impressive season for UCLA, finishing with AVCA Honorable Mention All-America, AVCA Honorable Mention All-Region and All-Pac-10 Conference accolades.
Sather concluded her career ranked 12th on UCLA’s all-time kills list, ninth in kills per set (3.35), fourth in total attacks (4,287), 11th in digs and tied for 10th in sets played. She is only the 12th Bruin to record at least 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs in a career. Sather graduated from UCLA with a degree in history and a minor in education in 2009.
Following her time at UCLA, the Santa Rosa, California, native began her professional career in 2010 on the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) Tour. She appeared in 22 events, which included the Jose Cuervo Pro Beach Volleyball Series, National Volleyball League, USA Volleyball IDQ and Wide Open Beach Volleyball, while also appearing in two FIVB and three NORCECA events.
Nielsen is married to former U.S. National Team member Nils Nielsen and the couple has two daughters.
THE NIELSEN FILE |
Alma Mater: UCLA, 2009 & Missouri (Master of Education), 2023 |
Hometown: Santa Rosa, Calif. |
Husband: Nils Nielsen |
COACHING EXPERIENCE |
2023-Present, Kansas, Associate Head Coach – Technical Advisor |
2019-23, Kansas, Assistant Coach |
2014-18, UCLA, Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator |
2013-2014, UCLA, Beach Volleyball Assistant Coach |
2013-14, UCLA, Volunteer Coach |
PLAYING EXPERIENCE |
2010-2014: Professional Beach Volleyball Player and Member of USA Volleyball Elite National Team Member for international tournaments |
2011: Member of the USA Volleyball Indoor National Training Team |
2010: Professional Athlete in the Liga Superior de Puerto Rico |
2006-09: UCLA |
