PURCHASE, N.Y. -- The Manhattanville University Department of Athletics and Recreation and Manhattanville's Vice President of Athletics and Recreation Julene Caulfield has announced the hiring of Vianca Vital as head coach for the Valiants' women's volleyball program, effective July 1, 2026.

"I am incredibly excited and grateful for the opportunity to return to Manhattanville as the head women's volleyball coach," Vital said. "As a former Valiant student-athlete, this institution has played a tremendous role in shaping who I am both personally and professionally. Manhattanville has always felt like home, and it is an honor to lead a program that has meant so much to me."

Vital has called Manhattanville home since 2019 when she arrived to Purchase from Puerto Rico as a freshman setter on the women's volleyball team. Across four seasons on the court of Kennedy Gymnasium, Vital established herself as one of the best players in program history. A four-time Skyline All-Conference First Team selection, Vital recorded a program record of 3,399 assists and graduated third all-time in digs with 1,267. The Valiants won three Skyline Conference Championships with Vital on the team in 2019, 2022 and 2023, with her winning Skyline Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors in the latter two championship runs. In 2022, Vital earned the lone regional accolade of her career, being selected as an AVCA All-Region Honorable Mention.

After completing her playing career, Vital transitioned into a coaching role as the assistant coach for the young men's volleyball team in their second and third seasons of existence. With Vital on the sidelines, the Valiants earned the first two postseason victories in program history, defeating Purchase in the Skyline First Round in 2025 before defeating the Panthers again in 2026 in the Skyline semis to send Manhattanville to the Championship Finals for the first time in program history.

Vital furthered her coaching experiences away from campus, previously serving as a coach at Chelsea Piers and Greens Farms Academy.

Vital holds three degrees from Manhattanville—a bachelor's degree in business management with a minor in sport studies, and a pair of master's degrees in marketing communication management and sports business management.

"I am eager to build upon the strong foundation that has been established and help our student-athletes grow, compete and succeed both on and off the court," said Vital.  "I look forward to giving back to the community that invested so much in me and to lead the next generation of Valiants!"

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