LEXINGTON, KY – This year the AVCA in partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps announced their 2025 The Marines Battles Won Award recognized volleyball coaches and players who overcame obstacles on and off the court, displaying resilience, determination and courage.

This year University of Redlands Head Women's Volleyball Coach Savannah Cox was selected as part of this award joining 16 individuals (5 Coaches | 11 Players) who faced hardship and came back stronger.



In just her third season with the Maroon and Grey she has put together a program that continues to grow year after year.  In her first season (2023), the team went 8-14 overall and 4-12 in SCIAC — the most wins and most conference victories Redlands had posted since 2019.  In 2024, the program posted its best season since 2018, finishing 11-13 overall and 6-10 in SCIAC, with those six conference wins being the most for the program since 2010.  This season the Bulldogs again excelled finishing with a 15-11, 8-8 SCIAC record, while earning a berth into the SCIAC Tournament for the first time since 2009 and clinching a spot in the SCIAC Tournament Semi-Finals.  On top of that they earned upset victories during the season over then No. 17 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and No. 1 and undefeated University of La Verne.   

Under her leadership the Bulldogs have seen two All-SCIAC performers (Kaegan Wherry & Lily Kautai), a SCIAC Newcomer of the Year (Lily Kautai), an AVCA All-West Region selection (Lily Kautai) and a SCIAC Character Award recipient (Avery Aminoff).     

Cox's recognition by the AVCA via the Battles Won Award underscores the transformation underway at Redlands — not just in match results, but in culture: resilience, academic commitment, steady growth, and holistic athlete development.

Her leadership has already resulted in tangible improvements: better records, historic wins, player honors, and academic excellence. The award signals that the volleyball community recognizes and values the challenges she's met and the progress she's fostered — and suggests that Redlands is on an upward trajectory under her tenure.

At the AVCA Convention in Kansas City this December, two of the honorees will be presented with the 2025 AVCA-The Marines Battles Won Award.