Bio

Four year United States Air Force Reservist Veteran, Peyton McDaniel leads Cougar Volleyball like she played and like she continues with her commitment as a United States Air Force Reservist; always give it your best and never give up.

Coach McDaniel in her first year as the Cougars head coach uses her ability to lead and her past experiences in collegiate and professional volleyball to set the highest of standards of athletic and academic behavior for Cleveland State Volleyball.

A noted high school player who led her team to a state championship, McDaniel became an integral part of the collegiate volleyball team at Lincoln Memorial University as she completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication.  Her qualities no doubt as an unmatched Libero enabled her to be a dual sport player at Lincoln Memorial with the second sport being Beach Volleyball. 

After completion of her undergraduate degree, Coach McDaniel headed overseas to play volleyball professionally in the National Volleyball League while earning a Master’s degree in Global Development from the University of East London.

McDaniel’s wide array of experiences includes head volleyball coach at Boyd Buchanan High School and seven years of club coaching including in the A-5 organization.  Indeed it was an A-5 Club organizer that served as an inspiration suggesting that instead of being a sports reporter Coach McDaniel should continue in the ranks of coaching.

Because of her knowledge, coaching experience, playing prowess and disciplined approach to life as evidenced by her military endeavors, Peyton McDaniel serves as an unrivaled mentor and coach for the Cleveland State Volleyball program.

McDaniel is from Morristown (TN) where she graduated from East High School.  She is a 2018 graduate of Lincoln Memorial University where she was a defensive specialist for the Railsplitters. She was also a member of LMU's beach volleyball squads.

She has also received her Master's Degree from the University of East London in Media and Global Development in 2021.  While at East London she played another year of collegiate volleyball before joining a team that plays in the NVL (National Volleyball League).

McDaniel has been active in club volleyball in East Tennessee which will give her a broad reach in recruiting.  She looks forward to her move into the college coaching ranks.