LEXINGTON, Ky. – Dylan Ross, head men's volleyball coach at Loras College, has been named a recipient of the Thirty Under 30 Award from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), the organization announced Wednesday. 

Created in 2009, the Thirty Under 30 Award recognizes up-and-coming coaching talent across all levels of the sport. To be eligible for the honor, nominees must have been 30 years old or younger as of Dec. 31, 2025. This year's list of Thirty Under 30 College Award recipients includes women's and men's indoor and beach coaches who are passionate about teaching, helping players reach their full potential and growing the game at the collegiate level. 

"I am incredibly honored to receive the AVCA Thirty Under 30 Award, but it's really a reflection of the amazing student-athletes and staff at Loras College," Ross said. "I'm thankful for the mentors and colleagues who have helped shape my coaching journey, and I am excited to keep building our program." 

Ross is currently in his sixth season leading the Duhawks and has compiled a 105-29 overall record, including a 41-18 mark in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW). In 2024, he was named CCIW and AVCA Region IV Coach of the Year after guiding the Purple and Gold to the best season in program history with a 25-2 overall record and a 9-1 mark in conference play. 

That season, Ross led Loras to its first CCIW Tournament Championship and a berth in the NCAA Division III Men's Volleyball Championship, where the Duhawks advanced to the Elite Eight. Loras also reached a program-best No. 4 national ranking in the AVCA Poll. 

Prior to returning to Loras, Ross spent the 2018 season as a graduate assistant at Arkansas State University, helping the Red Wolves to a 19-14 record. He later joined the staff at the University of Houston, where the Cougars improved to 10-6 in conference play after finishing 4-14 the previous season. They also ended the year one game shy of a tie for the conference title, while the coaching staff earned conference honors. 

Ross returned to Loras College in 2021 to lead the program he helped establish as a student-athlete. Over the past six seasons, he has built the Duhawks into a nationally recognized program, while developing multiple All-Conference, All-Region and All-American honorees.