Alex Leja joined Head Coach Aaron Seltzer's staff in the summer of 2019. She comes to Biola after playing and coaching experience at Vanguard University and Alma College.
She was a setter for the Lions, playing three seasons at Vanguard before completing her eligibility following the 2011 season. Leja served as an assistant coach at VUSC from 2012-16 before accepting the head coaching job at Alma College from 2016-18.
In her last year at Alma, she led the Scots to a 19-8 overall record. Alma's 2018 record was the program's best since 2008, and the program's highest league finish since 2012. She coached four All-MIAAÂ student-athletes over three seasons. Placed over 14 student-athletes on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll, while the team earned the MIAA Team GPA Award and AVCA Team Academic Award in all three years.?
During her time as an assistant at Vanguard, she helped the program to four straight NAIA tournament appearances, including the program's first-ever appearance in the elite eight in 2015. Assisted in guiding the Lions to the team's first-ever Golden State Athletic Conference title in 2015. She worked with 10 NAIA All-Americans and 13 All-GSAC players, including the program's first-ever GSAC Player of the Year in 2015.
Leja earned her bachelor's degree in theatre arts (technical/set design) from Vanguard back in 2012. She added an associate's in interior design in 2015.
She was a scholar-athlete throughout her playing career at Vanguard. During her senior season Leja helped lead the Lions to a No. 14 national ranking. She had a sparkling high school career at La Quinta High School. During her senior season she won league MVP honors and also was named volleyball player of the year by The Desert Sun. She helped her team go undefeated in league play during her final two seasons and a CIF runner-up finish her senior year.
Outside of volleyball, Leja enjoys horseback riding and Pickleball. Her favorite Bible vers is Jeremiah 29:11.
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