University of Delaware Athletics
Volleyball Announces Hiring of Anna Palmer, Jayden Nembhard as Assistant Coaches
7/8/2026 2:00:00 PM | Volleyball
NEWARK, Del. - University of Delaware volleyball has hired Anna Palmer and Jayden Nembhard as assistant coaches, head coach Kimberly Lambert announced.Â
"I am so excited to welcome Anna and Jayden to our Blue Hen family," Lambert said. "Anna's passion for the game of volleyball, developing talent, and experience at different levels and in different roles prepares her to make an immediate impact. Jayden's playing experience and eagerness as an up-and-coming coach will bring a fresh perspective to our team. Both bring great energy that will allow them to connect with our players and help elevate our training and development as a program."
Palmer comes to Delaware after most recently being a head coach of MidAmerica Volleyball Association since 2021, where she managed staff and players while organizing a training curriculum and organizing club events. She was able to double registration tryouts while having 15 players commit to Division I schools and 50 players committing to play collegiate volleyball. She also served as MAVA's recruiting coordinator and social media director. Palmer partnered her business, Athletic Advice by Anna, with MAVA to help players ages 14-18 with college recruiting. Her business' goal is to help mentor young athletes on recruiting and mental side of the sport.Â
"I am looking forward to working with the Delaware volleyball team and making an impact on this amazing Blue Hens program," Palmer said. "I'm unbelievably grateful for the opportunity and am excited to get started!"
Nembhard comes to Delaware after most recently spending time coaching in Texas, where she was the head varsity coach at Griffin High School, an assistant coach at St. Edward's University, and head coach of Austin Juniors Volleyball Club. She was tasked with practice planning, match strategy, fim breakdown, and building team culture. Nembhard also has experience coaching with Seal Beach Volleyball Club.Â
I am excited and honored to be a part of this staff, and incredibly grateful to Kim and Lenika for this opportunity and their belief in me," Nembhard said. "I can't wait to get to work, build relationships with the players, and do my part to contribute to the continued success of the volleyball program. I am looking forward to learning, growing, and representing UD alongside this incredible group. Go Blue Hens!"
Palmer also has experience as head coach of Nelson County High School in Kentucky. She coached the team to its first 2A State Championship in 2023 and sixth and seventh district championships. She was a recipient of the AVCA's 30 Under 30 award. Palmer was also an assistant coach at Sacred Heart Academy.  As a student-athlete, she competed at Seattle and Memphis. She was named to the WAC All Freshman Team at Seattle. With Memphis, she was a two-time AAC All-Academic Team selection while appearing in 128 sets in two seasons. She was a two-time state champion at Assumption High School in Kentucky and a member of the Kentucky-Indiana Volleyball Academy club program.Â
As a player, Nembhard was a student-athlete at Long Beach State and Kansas State. With the Wildcats, she was a Big 12 All Rookie selection and a two-time Big 12 Rookie of the Week as she averaged 3.04 kills per set as a freshman. Prior to college, she was a four-year letterwinner for Keller High School in Texas and collected over 1,400 kills, 150 blocks and 500 service aces in her career. She helped lead the Indians to the Class 6A district playoffs in her senior season while earning first-team all-district honors. She helped her club team win gold in the open division of the 2017 Girls Junior National Championships.
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