THE HILL | Alabama A&M University volleyball head coach Dr. Brandon Reeves has named Nakeyta Clair to his staff as an assistant coach, he announced Thursday afternoon. Clair joins the program for her first season in the role.
Clair brings strong ties to Reeves, having previously worked alongside him at Chicago State from 2019 to 2023. While on his staff there, she assisted with recruiting, supervised team transportation, managed practice sessions, and coordinated visit schedules for prospective student-athletes.
"We're stoked to be back together, and we can't wait to see the fire she brings to our program", Reeves said.
A native of Illinois and a four-year starter at Ole Miss (2012–15), Clair became the second All‑American in school history. She earned two All‑SEC selections and SEC All‑Freshman honors and represented the USA Volleyball Collegiate National Team.
At Ole Miss, Clair posted school records for single-season and career blocks (130, 435), block solos (34, 102), and block assists (105, 333), all of which she still holds. She ranks third all-time with 1,177 kills and owns the school record for career hitting percentage (.344).
She played the last two seasons of her collegiate career under current coach Steven McRoberts, earning All‑America recognition and AVCA All‑Region honors. During that run, Clair helped lead the Rebels to back-to-back 20‑win seasons, a record home win total for the program at the time, and set a then-program single-season kill mark with 366 kills in her junior year.
Before her stint at Chicago State, Clair played internationally in Halmstad, Sweden, and later coached club teams and camps in the United States. She holds a bachelor's degree in social work with a minor in psychology from Ole Miss (2016) and earned her master's degree in criminal justice from Chicago State in December 2021.
"I am excited to welcome Nakeyta Clair as our assistant volleyball coach," Reeves said. "This former All-American knows what it takes to compete at the top, and she's bringing a ton of skills and experience to our squad. She'll be zeroing in on developing our middle blockers and pins, and we're convinced she's the missing link that will take our team to the next level."
AAMU will open its season with by hosting the second annual Betty Austin Invitational. The sophomore edition of the Invitational will see Morgan State (MSU), South Carolina State (SCSU) and Delaware State (DSU) take on the Golden Lions of Arkansas Pine-Bluff and the Jaguars of Southern University for a SWAC/MEAC Challenge. Alabama A&M will open play in the Invitational with a Battle of the Bulldogs, facing off against SCSU on Aug. 29 before playing the Bears of MSU. The Bulldogs will round out the Challenge by taking on DSU the following day (Aug. 30).
Updated game times, locations and live streaming options will be available for fans to find here.
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