Haylee Nelson returns to the Spartan bench, beginning with the 2026 season, as an assistant coach/recruiting coordinator for the San José State program after a successful five-year playing career for SJSU.
A four-time All-Mountain West honoree, Nelson finished her five-year career (2018-22) fifth all-time in San José State history in kills with 1,439. She is also fifth in kill attempts at 3,707 and fifth in points at 1,675. Nelson was the 16th Spartan in school history to record 1,000 career kills.
After her collegiate career ended, Nelson joined her former collegiate coach Trent Kersten at Loyola Marymount where she was a graduate assistant for two seasons (2024 and 2025). The 2024 won the WCC Championship, advancing to the NCAA Tournament where the team upset Washington in the first round (3-2) before falling to Stanford in the second round (3-0).
Following her collegiate playing career, Nelson has spent time playing professionally in Europe the past three years. She just finished playing in Sweden with Orebo Volley and former Spartan setter Mia Schafer.
Nelson graduated in the Fall of 2022 with her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology with a concentration in physical activity in communities. She was a five-time Academic All-Mountain West honoree. Nelson earned her Master of Arts in education studies in December of 2025.