Charger volleyball coach Chris Gravel doesn’t have to look far for great support from his coaching staff. His wife of 27 years, assistant coach Stephanie Gravel is also in her 26th season on the Charger volleyball coaching staff, albeit in a slightly different role beginning in the spring 2021 season.
Over the course of a quarter-century involved in the Charger volleyball program, Stephanie Gravel has played a critical role in Hillsdale’s success on the court. During her tenure at Hillsdale, Stephanie Gravel has helped lead the Chargers to seven regular season conference championships, six conference tournament championships, 12 NCAA Division II tournament appearances, three NCAA Sweet 16 appearances, the 2011 Midwest Regional title, and the 2011 NCAA Division II Final Four.
Hillsdale also has produced 11 All-Americans during her career, six conference players of the year, four Midwest Regional players of the year, and 26 first-team all-conference players.
In recognition of her work, Stephanie Gravel earned the 2010 AVCA National Division II Assistant Coach of the Year honor, representing the highest achievement for any assistant volleyball coach at the Division II level. It was an award that was richly deserved for someone who contributes so many things to so many parts of the program.
In December of 2020, Stephanie Gravel was named Hillsdale College’s new Assistant Dean of Women. The demands of her new position have necessitated that she step away from full-time coaching, but she remains active with the Charger volleyball program as a volunteer assistant and still plays an important role on Chris Gravel’s staff.
Stephanie Gravel also has experience as head coach at Grandville and Reading High Schools. Later in her playing career, Stephanie played for the MPVA (Michigan Professional Volleyball Association), where she achieved a No. 13 personal ranking as a player on tour. In high school, she was an All-Region and All-Conference player at Brighton High School.
Stephanie Gravel played collegiately at Schoolcraft College in Livonia, later transferring to Grand Valley where she was a two-year captain for the Lakers. Stephanie’s teams at Schoolcraft qualified for the national tournament twice during her career there.
Volleyball has played a big part in Stephanie’s life, but also the lives of her family members. Stephanie’s brother David Jandasek, was an All-American setter for the men’s volleyball team at Ohio State University and played professionally overseas. Her father Joe still competes in open events around the country, and has won many individual and team awards past his 60th birthday. Both of her parents coached the sport of volleyball.
“Coach and Steph,” as they are known to their players, are the proud parents of 19-year-old Brooklynn, who is currently playing college volleyball at Elmhurst College.
