Calvin University women's volleyball head coach Dr. Amber Warners reached another big milestone in her illustrious career with her 700th career win on Friday, November 7, at Alma College.
 
The milestone marked another in a long line of accomplishments and accolades for Warners. To go along with her 700 wins, Warners is also a four-time American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division III National Coach of the Year, a seven-time AVCA Division III Regional Coach of the Year and has led Calvin to three NCAA III National Championships (2010, 2013 and 2016).
 
Over her 25-year volleyball head coaching career, Warners is 700-117 and holds the highest career winning percentage of any active NCAA III coach at .857.
 
After one season as the interim volleyball coach at Hope College in 1994 (during which she went 21-11),Warners is 679-106 over the last 24 seasons as the head coach of the Calvin volleyball team that includes a 287-17 record in MIAA matches. During her tenure, Warners has led the Knights to 14 MIAA regular season championships, 15 MIAA Tournament championships and 19 appearances in the NCAA III Tournament. She has also coached seven AVCA Division III National Players of the Year and 15 MIAA Players of the Year.

 
"The first thing that I think about is how many women chose Calvin Volleyball who were/are really talented at the sport of volleyball but were also women who bought into what our mission is…working hard, loving one another and being unselfish for the betterment of the group in all situations," Warners said. "These wins are their wins more than they are mine. And I wouldn't want to have made the journey over the past 25 years with anyone else. I cherish the memories I have had with former players and continue to build with the current players."
 
Prior to this season, Warners ranked 23rd among active coaches on the NCAA's wins list across all divisions with 677 wins, with only 17 reaching the 700 wins milestone prior to this year. Warners reached the mark in only 25 seasons and holds the second-highest winning percentage of any active coach with at least 700 wins.
 
Only five active coaches in NCAA III reached the 700 win milestone prior to this season, and only 20 coaches in NCAA III history reached the mark before 2025.
 
Friday's win also marked the end of the regular season for the Knights in 2025 with a record of 23-3 overall and 7-1 in MIAA play. Being a part of a milestone win was special to the players on this year's Calvin team, senior Aerin Baker said.
 
"It has been such an honor to be coached by Coach Warners the past four years," said Baker. "She has had such an impact on me both as a player and a person, and being a part of her 700th win was an unforgettable experience! All of us are so happy for her. The Calvin University volleyball program is what it is because of her and all the hard work and effort she pours into us."

"Being part of Coach Warners' 700th win was such a special and meaningful moment," added senior Emma Ekblaw. "It felt amazing to celebrate such a huge milestone with her, knowing how much time, effort and love she pours into this program and every player. Over the last four years, playing for Coach Warners has been an incredible experience. She's pushed me to grow not just as an athlete, but as a person. Her passion, belief in her players, and genuine care have made such a lasting impact on me. I'm truly grateful to have been part of her journey and to have shared this accomplishment with her and my teammates."
 
A 1990 graduate of Calvin, Warners won the Kay Tiemersma Award, presented annually to the varsity women's student-athlete who best exemplifies athletic ability, scholastic standing, character and leadership following a collegiate career on the volleyball court and softball diamond. She was part of six MIAA Championship teams (three in both sports) and helped both programs to three NCAA III Tournament appearances.
 
Prior to taking over as the head coach of the Calvin volleyball program in 2002, Warners served as the head coach of the Calvin softball program for eight seasons and led the Knights to two NCAA III Tournament appearances.
 
"I want to personally congratulate Dr. Warners on reaching 700 wins," Calvin Director of Athletics Dr. Jim Timmer said. "What an incredible achievement. We're so proud and fortunate to have her as a coach and colleague in Calvin athletics. Her legacy of both winning championships and student-athlete development is unparalleled. On behalf of Calvin athletics, we're proud of her achievements but also excited to see what coach Warners and the volleyball program can achieve the rest of the season and in the years to come."
 
This season, the Knights enter postseason play on an 11-match winning streak. Calvin will play its next match on Friday, November 14, when it plays in the MIAA Tournament semifinal hosted by Hope College.