Kristen Salyer has long been associated with UVA Wise Athletics. She became the Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development in 2021 and Senior Woman Administrator in 2020 after spending thirteen years on the Highland Cavalier volleyball coaching staff, first as an assistant (2009-11) and then ten seasons as head coach (2012-21).
As the Associate Athletic Director for Student-Development, she aids student-athletes in balancing academic coursework and athletic competition throughout their college careers. Other duties include overseeing community outreach and developing career services and life-skill programming for student-athletes.
As the Senior Woman Administrator, Salyer advises the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and spearheads gender, equity and inclusion and life skill and wellness programming initiatives. She also assists with academic services and oversees special events.
She joined the volleyball staff as an assistant coach for three seasons (2009-11) and later became the head volleyball coach from 2012-21. During her tenure she guided the team through their transition from the NAIA Mid-South Conference to the NCAA Division II Mountain East Conference, and later managed the transition from the Mountain East to the South Atlantic Conference. She coached several all-conference players and one AVCA All-Region performer during her time on the sidelines.
Prior to her coaching career, Salyer was a standout outside hitter for the Cavs Volleyball Program. A four-year letter winner, Salyer earned Appalachian Athletic Conference and NAIA All-Region XII accolades and played an integral role in the school's most successful volleyball season as she aided UVA Wise to the Region XII title and a trip to the NAIA National Tournament in 2007. She ranks top-ten all-time in kills (1,214), points (1,432.5), digs (982),service aces (107), and total blocks (194).
A native of Gate City, Virginia, Salyer graduated from UVA Wise in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education. She went on to earn her Masters' in Sport Administration from Arkansas State University in 2020. She currently resides in Wise.
