Kera Dukic, a former all-conference and all-region selection as a student-athlete at Arkansas Tech University, has been named the 10th head volleyball coach in her alma mater’s history, Director of Athletics Steve Mullins announced Friday.
“I am excited to welcome Kera Dukic back to Arkansas Tech,” said Mullins. “Kera was an exceptional player here and has carried that success into her coaching career. We are excited that she is coming home to help continue the great tradition of Golden Suns volleyball.”
Dukic spent the 2017 season as the head coach at St. Thomas University in Miami, Fla.
In her lone season at the helm of the Bobcats program, she led her team to a 19-12 record, with a 15-1 record in conference play en route to the Sun Conference championship.
Under her tutelage, Whitney Battoe was named All-America and conference player of the year. Three Bobcats were named to the all-conference first team, while her team matched its on-court success with academic success. Seven players were named Academic All-Sun Conference.
Prior to her stint at St. Thomas, Dukic spent three seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Central Oklahoma. During her three-year tenure at UCO, the Bronchos went a combined 89-14, with six players earning all-conference honors and one player earning All-America honors in her final season.
Dukic started her coaching career at Arkansas Tech as a graduate assistant under former head coach Kristy Bayer. During her three years on Bayer’s staff, Dukic helped the Golden Suns go 87-26, win two conference titles and advance to NCAA Tournament on two occasions. Dukic earned two All-Gulf South Conference honors during her playing career and was named Daktronics all-region second team as a senior. She was awarded the NCAA Division II Degree Completion Award in 2011.
As a standout setter at Arkansas Tech, Dukic was a part of two league championship teams. She finished her career with 2,693 career assists, ranking fifth all-time in program history.
“I’m extremely excited and thankful for this opportunity to be the new head volleyball coach at my alma mater,” said Dukic. “This job is very much a dream job for me as my career here as a student-athlete and graduate assistant coach was an incredible experience that only furthered my passion for coaching volleyball. I’m looking forward to being back around the wonderful people of Arkansas Tech and the community.”
News release provided by ATU Department of Athletic Communications.