A fixture with the Chargers volleyball team for over a quarter-century alongside her husband, Chris, Stephanie Gravel is returning to coaching at Hillsdale in the spring of 2026 as a volunteer assistant after four seasons away from the program while serving as Hillsdale's Associate Dean of Women.
During her 27 year tenure at Hillsdale up to 2021, Stephanie Gravel 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 produced 11 All-Americans during her time with the program, 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.
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.
