Mary Frahm named NJCAA DII Volleyball Coach of the Year

Mary Frahm of Heartland Community College has been named the 2025 NJCAA Division II Volleyball Coach of the Year. 

The honor comes shortly after Frahm’s Heartland Hawks captured their first national title in program history. 

Frahm has been the driving force of Heartland's volleyball program, the only Head Coach since the program began in 2019.

"Coach Frahm took our Women’s Volleyball program from concept to championship in six seasons. The amount of work and imagination it took was daunting. Yet, knowing Mary, I am not surprised at all she accomplished this," said Heartland Community College Athletics Director Ryan Knox. 

Throughout the year, the Heartland Hawks Volleyball squad remained at the top of the National Rankings, at one point gaining their first #1 overall rank in program history. They finished the year with a record of 40-4. 

2025 was a turning point year for the Hawks. After claiming second runner-up at the 2024 DII National Tournament, Heartland sought redemption. Heartland entered the 2025 National Tournament as the No. 2 seed. 

The Hawks flew through the 2025 National Championship Tournament, dropping only one set. They notably swept the two-time defending champions, Cowley, in the semifinals. Heartland made quick work in the national championship match as they swept No. 4 Kansas City, Kansas 3-0 (25-22, 25-20, 25-23) to claim the title. 

Frahm ended the 2025 season with an overall record of 172-36. In addition to the 2025 NJCAA Coach of the Year award, she was also awarded the AVCA Midwest Region Coach of the Year alongside 2025 runner-up coach, Mary Bruno-Ballou of Kansas City, Kansas. Frahm's competitive efforts also earned her the Mid-West Athletic Conference (MWAC) Coach of the Year and American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) national Coach of the Year honors.