UMD Athletics

The 2012 American Volleyball Coaches Association Division II National Assistant Coach of the Year, Christyn May has worked under Bulldog head coach Jim Boos in each of his 23 years at the UMD helm, spending the past 21 seasons as a full-time assistant after serving in a volunteer coaching role in 2002 and 2003. In the 2022 season, May was promoted to the role of associate head coach.

The Bulldog offense has been among the best in the nation with the high-octane system since May’s arrival. UMD has led the nation in kills per set four times (2002, 2006, 2007 and 2014) and assists per set on five occasions (2002, 2006, 2011, 2014 and 2015). The 2006 Bulldogs still hold the NCAA record for kills (18.39) and assists per set (17.08).

May came to the Bulldogs following a four-year stint at her alma mater, the University of Nebraska–Omaha. She began on the Mavericks’ sidelines as a student assistant before continuing as a graduate assistant, and ultimately serving as a volunteer assistant coach. 

A native of Palisade, Neb., May graduated from Hayes Center High School in 1994 before beginning a four-year career (1994-97) at Nebraska-Omaha. During that stretch, she was the Mavericks’ starting outside hitter on a pair of NCC-Champion clubs. The Mavericks twice advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight during May’s tenure as a player, and claimed the NCAA II National Title when she was a junior. A member of the Elite Eight All-Tournament Team in 1996 and 1997, May played one year of basketball (1998-99) following the conclusion of her volleyball playing career and captained the Mavericks in her one year of duty.

A forefront in the volleyball community, May spent 14 years (2005-19) as the head coach and main recruiting coordinator for the Minnesota North Volleyball Club in Duluth. During her tenure, May helped produce over 100 different collegiate athletes including eight Bulldogs and 13 Division I athletes.

May is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education (with a specialization in exercise science) from Nebraska-Omaha in 1999. She also owns a Master’s degree in education from UMD (2008). May and her husband, Justin, make their home in Hermantown, Minn. with their son, Henry, and their two Italian Mastiffs, Bella and Max.