Kekailoa Palea named Simpson volleyball head coach

INDIANOLA, Iowa -- Simpson College Director of Athletics Bob Nutgrass announced the hiring of Kekailoa "KK" Palea as the next head coach of the Storm volleyball program.

"Simpson Athletics is excited to welcome Kekailoa Palea to our coaching staff," said Nutgrass. "KK brings a wealth of experience from various levels of the game to our program. His great excitement and enthusiasm for the game of volleyball and coaching are very contagious, and we know he will be a great addition to our staff and move our volleyball program forward in a positive direction."

Palea becomes just the ninth coach in program history and just the third since 1985. He takes over for Lana Smith, who led Simpson for 21 seasons and compiled a 343-343 record while taking three teams to the national tournament, in addition to winning two Iowa Conference championships.

"I am extremely excited to be part of the Storm family," said Palea. "I am looking forward to being involved with the community that I have heard so much about both on and off campus."

The Kent, Washington native joins Simpson after spending the last four years serving as the player development director and head coach for the 15-18-under team at Iowa Powerplex in Waukee, Iowa. Prior to that, Palea was the associate director and 15-18-under coach for Club Iowa Juniors.

From 2010-12, Palea held the role of an assistant coach for the University of Northern Iowa. During that span under head coach Bobbi Petersen, the Panthers went 63-5 to secure two NCAA Tournament slots and reached the second round in 2011. Prior to his arrival in Waterloo, Palea was the men's and women's head JV coach at Graceland University from 2006-10.

Before moving to the Midwest, Palea was an assistant coach for Club Wahine and Highline High School in Burien, Washington from 2002-05.

Palea graduated from Graceland in 2008 with degrees in graphic design and sculpture. While there, he was a member of the Yellowjackets men's volleyball team from 2005-08 as a setter and libero. Before stepping foot on campus in Lamoni, he competed for Seattle University and received an associates degree in computer animation from the Art Institute of Seattle.

Palea and his wife, Candice, along with their son, Kainalu, reside in Waukee.

The Palea File
Hometown: Kent, Washington
Education: B.A., Graceland, 2008; A.A, Art Institute of Seattle, 2002
Playing Experience: Seattle University, 2000-02; Graceland University, 2005-08

Coaching Career
2017-present: Iowa Powerplex (Waukee, Iowa), player development director and 15-18-under head coach
2010-17: Club Iowa Juniors, associate director and 15-18-under coach
2010-12: University of Northern Iowa, assistant coach
2006-10: Graceland University, head men's and women's JV coach
2002-05: Club Wahine (Burien, Washington), assistant coach for 16-under and 18-under
2002-05: Highline High School (Burien, Washington), assistant coach