Eimile O'Brien enters her second season as the head women's volleyball coach at Plattsburgh State in 2025.
In O'Brien's first season as head coach at Plattsburgh, the team finished 4-22 (0-9 SUNYAC) after losing their lone All-SUNYAC player in Payton Zophy to graduation. Despite losing their top offensive and defensive players, the team still had a solid offense and defense, averaging 8.2 kills per set and 12.4 digs per set. Under O'Brien, Liya Girma saw an increase in her kills per set, points per set, and digs per set, which were all team-highs.
O'Brien, who boasts State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) playing and coaching experience, is a Buffalo State graduate and was a four-year student-athlete for the women’s volleyball team, O’Brien most recently coached at her alma mater, serving as the assistant coach in 2023. She helped the team finish at 16-12 and 5-4 in State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) play. As the assistant coach, she was responsible for a variety of duties, including setting team schedules and travel logistics, recruiting incoming classes, and building a strong social media presence for the team. Before working at Buffalo State as a coach, she had previously been the head coach with the Niagara County Volleyball Club, where she helped develop beginner and intermediate skills and techniques for a U16 team.
O’Brien was a middle hitter for the Bengals from 2016-2019, serving as a team captain for her final three seasons. During her time there, she was a key rotational piece for the team each season, averaging 1.88 kills per set and accumulating 689 kills in her career. She was also impactful defensively, averaging 1.15 digs per set for her career after averaging over two digs per set in her final season. O’Brien also served as an Executive Board Member on the SUNYAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) during her time as a student-athlete, while also serving as the President of the Buffalo State SAAC.
O’Brien also has Plattsburgh State connections, as her sister Meghan, was a four-year player for the women’s volleyball team from 2018-2021.
Before returning to volleyball last fall, O’Brien was a middle school teacher at Marcellus Central School District from 2021-22. She organized athletic competitions, fitness and nutrition events, and nature outings as a counselor during the year following graduation.
The Marietta, New York native earned her Bachelor of Science in Economics from Buffalo State in 2019 and is also working towards her Master’s in Education and Administration.
| Season |
School |
Record |
Pct. |
Conf./Place |
Postseason Finish |
| 2024 |
Plattsburgh State |
4-22 |
.154 |
0-9/10th |
--- |
| Overall |
Plattsburgh State Totals |
4-22 |
.154 |
0-9 |
|
