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18vbomBonjaKelly

Kelly Bonja

  • Title
    Assistant Coach
  • Email
    kbonja@ewu.edu
  • Phone
    (509) 359-7355
  • Experience
    Second Season
  • Alma Mater
    California State Polytechnic '13
Kelly Bonja was hired by Leslie Flores-Cloud on Aug. 1, 2018 after a year at Bucknell University as an assistant coach. The 2019 season begins Bonja’s second year on staff.
 
During her first year, Bonja helped the Eagles get off to their best start in program history since 2002, opening the season 3-0 at the Titan Classic where Eastern was crowned tournament champions.
 
Also in 2018, the Eagles totaled the most service aces since 2014 with 127 and averaged 1.2 per set, which ranked them inside the top-ten in the conference. Additionally, EWU garnered 1,632 digs which is the most since 2012. Eastern finished the season ranked in the top-five in the conference in digs per set (15.54).
 
Additionally, Samantha Boever dished out 747 total assists which was the most by an Eagle since the 2015 season. Additionally, sophomore transfer Puaoolelagi Sao didn't move into the libero spot permanently until after conference play began and she totaled 408 digs, the most by a single player since 2008.

Bonja served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Bucknell University where she coached one sophomore to the All-Patriot League Second Team and another to the All-Academic Team.
 
Prior to Bucknell, Bonja spent nearly four seasons at Tufts University, serving as a camp staff member, recruiting coordinator and an assistant coach. In 2016, Bonja was named the AVCA National Assistant Volleyball Coach of the Year as Tufts advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight that season. Also that season, her and her staff were named the New England Women’s Volleyball Association Coaching Staff of the Year, in addition to the same accolade from NESCAC in 2014 and 2016.
 
She coached several athletes to various accolades during her time at Tufts, including two AVCA Honorable Mention All-Americans in 2014 and one AVCA Second Team All-American and AVCA First Team All-Region in 2015. Tufts also boasted several on the All-New England Rookie Team and First Team All-Conference during her stint.
 
Bonja has also spent time as a head and assistant men’s and women’s volleyball coach for the San Gabriel Elite Volleyball Coach.
 
Before her coaching career began, Bonja played volleyball at California State Polytechnic where she earned CCAA Second Team All-Conference in 2012. She was named team MVP in 2011 and 2012 and was voted the team’s best defensive player for three consecutive seasons. After wrapping up her playing career, she transitioned into a volunteer role for the Broncos.
 
She graduated from California State Polytechnic in June of 2013 with her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a concentration in kinesiology-pedagogy.