Volleyball
Brian Solomon

Brian Solomon

Title: Head Volleyball Coach / Assistant Athletic Director
Phone Number: 803.786.3313
Email Address: besolomon@columbiasc.edu

Brian Solomon has led the Columbia College volleyball program for five seasons, and three straight winning campiagns.  In 2009, the improvement continued to the first ever 20+ win season with a 24-9 overall record and a 3rd place finish in the Southern States Athletic Conference.  The improvement garnered him the honor of 2009 SSAC Coach of the Year, which was one of 10 SSAC conference awards received.  The 2009 season also saw Tara Prater receive the SSAC Freshman of the Year, which was another first in school history.

2011 saw the second second 20+ win season in school history with a 25-12 overall record.  In their first year in the Appalachian Athletic Conference, the Fighting Koalas finished their season in the tournament semi-finals.  As another first, the Fighting Kaolas saw sophomore Jacqui Anderson receive the AAC Setter of the Year as well as senior Erica Allman receive the AAC Libero of the Year.  Anderson was also named to the AVCA All-Region team.

The Champions of Character program has also been a focus in the gym and out.  Columbia College volleyball was named the co-recipient of the team sportsmanship award two years in a row, in 2009 and 2010.

Solomon came to Columbia College in July 2007 from Milligan College and Emmanuel Christian Seminary in Johnson City, TN.  He earned his Master of Divinity from Emmanuel Christian Seminary and served as the assistant volleyball coach at NAIA member institution Milligan College for three seasons.

As an undergraduate at Hope International University where he competed as a setter, he led his team to a top ten ranking nationally in NAIA men's volleyball for three seasons and back-to-back NCCAA national championships in 2002 and 2003. He also earned numerous individual awards including NCCAA All-American honors in 2003 and Hope International's Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year in 2004.

In addition to coaching the volleyball team, Brian is also the Assistant Athletic Director for academic affairs.  He and his wife, Lindsey, reside in Lexington, SC, with their son Cole.

Volleyball
Katie Welsh

Katie Welsh

Title: Assistant Volleyball Coach / Assistant Director of Sports Information
Phone Number: 803.786.3668
Email Address: kfwelsh@columbiasc.edu

Katie Welsh enters her fourth season as assistant coach with the Columbia College volleyball program. She came to Columbia College in August 2007 from Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, TN. As an undergraduate, she served on the Intramural Staff for 3 years as both an Intramural Supervisor and and Director. She earned her Bachelor's Degree from Carson-Newman in May 2007.

In 2009 she was proud to assist an amazing young Fighting Koalas team - finishing with a 24-9 overall record and a 3rd place finish in the Southern States Athletic Conference. The Fighting Koalas received 10 SSAC conference awards, among which being named co-recipient of the team sportsmanship award along with Lee University. In 2010 Columbia repeated as the recipient of the team sportsmanship award, had two players recognized on the conference level and finished the season 16-15.

In addition to being the assistant coach, Katie is currently pursuing her graduate degree in Athletic Administration from Western Kentucky University, and acts as the Assistant Director of Sports Information for the Athletic Department.  She and her family reside in Columbia, SC.