LA MIRADA---Biola Athletics welcomes Elyssa Hawkins as the new assistant coach for the women's water polo team. 

"We are excited to welcome Elyssa Hawkins to Biola Women's Water Polo," stated head coach Sarah Ramirez. "Elyssa brings a unique enthusiasm and passion for the game, which shines through in her coaching approach and deep knowledge of water polo. Her experience extends beyond the collegiate level, currently coaching with the Olympic Development Program (ODP) and Foothill Water Polo Club, where she continues to develop young athletes into top performers. Her championship mindset and drive for success, cultivated at Pomona-Pitzer with both men's and women's programs, will greatly enrich our Biola women's water polo program as we continue building a strong culture of holistic excellence and championship pursuit."

Hawkins joins Biola after an impressive tenure at Pomona-Pitzer where she served as an assistant coach for the men's and women's water polo teams. While she worked with the Sagehens, the water polo coaching staff was honored with the SCIAC Coaching Staff of the Year Award four times.

Hawkins helped guide the women's team to three SCIAC Championships and a Division III National Championship, while also assisting the men's team to two conference titles.

While Hawkins was on staff, Pomona-Pitzer's women's team recorded notable wins against nationally-ranked ranked No. 11 Indiana,  No. 22 Long Island and Division I Brown University.

Hawkins also played a key role in the Sagehens' recruiting efforts. She helped them double their roster following the COVID-19 season and had multiple recruits later named Player of the Year (Offense and Defense), All-Conference, and All-American.

Hawkins is currently involved with the United States Olympic Development Program. In 2024, Hawkins guided the Coastal Zone Blue team to a fifth place finish and assisted the Red Team to a ninth place finish out of 18 teams. Three of the players she worked with from those teams were named to the National Team Selection Camp later that same summer. Hawkins will also be returning to the Coastal Zone Staff in a head coaching capacity for the Cadet Girls team this 2024-25 cycle.

Hawkins' coaching journey began in Illinois, where she led two youth water polo teams to state championships and established Illinois' first-ever 10U league. During her time in Illinois, she coached 15+ athletes who are currently playing NCAA water polo and coached goalkeeper Kent Emden, who represented the USA Junior National Team in 2019 at World Championships.

Hawkins played as a defender for Carthage during her collegiate career and helped the Lady Reds to a third place finish in the CWPA Conference. While at Carthage, she earned ACWPC All-Academic honors and CWPA Scholar-Athlete recognition.

Hawkins graduated from Carthage in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media with an emphasis in Sports Science and Public Relations. Before college, she was a member of the USA Water Polo Olympic Development program from 2009-2013.