With international playing experience and previous coaching stints at Northwestern and Florida, Jenny Manz Theis brings an enormous wealth of knowledge and coaching expertise to the Ohio University volleyball staff.

A two-time American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American, Theis is also one of the most decorated players in Florida history. An opposite hitter, she was a two-time Southeastern Conference Player of the Year (1998-99) and still ranks third in career kills (1,657) and points (1,963.5), while also co-owning the school record for most kills in a match (35).

After graduating from Florida with a bachelor's degree in exercise and sport science in 2000, Theis played professionally in the United States and in Greece. She began by participating on the United States Professional Volleyball League Dream Team in 2000 and 2001 before moving on to the St. Louis Quest in the USPVL, where she played outside hitter and libero from 2001-02.

In 2002-03, Theis traveled overseas, continuing her career with Club Z.A.O.N. - a professional volleyball league in Kiffisia, Greece.

Upon returning to the U.S., Theis became an assistant coach at Northwestern. While with the Wildcats for three seasons (2003-05), Theis met her future husband - Ohio head coach Ryan Theis - and helped former Florida assistant-turned-head coach Keylor Chan revitalize the Northwestern program. Her responsibilities included training outside and right-side hitters, recruiting, team travel and assisting in the marketing and organization of home events.

Theis helped guide the Wildcats to a pair of NCAA Championship berths, and the Wildcats' record of 20-12 in 2005 was the program's best since 1997. Her efforts culminated with the Wildcats receiving an at-large bid to the 2005 NCAA Championships, where they advanced to the second round for the first time in school history.

Before embarking on her coaching career, Theis helped propel the Gators to three Final Fours in her four seasons in Gainesville - the only stretch in school history when UF advanced to three Final Fours in four years.

She became just the second individual in SEC history to be named the conference's Player of the Year twice, and the third in Gator history to earn All-America honors in multiple seasons. Theis also holds more than 30 Florida school records.

A native of Orange Park, Fla., she and Ryan celebrated the birth of their son, Carter, on March 8.