Chris Johnson
Head Coach

Crystal Ames
Ass't. Coach

Johnny Lai
Ass't. Coach

Chris Johnson, Head Coach

Chris Johnson made a profound impact upon the Seattle Pacific University volleyball program in just his first two seasons as head coach.

Although he assumed the post less than two months prior to the opening match of 2005, Johnson guided the Falcons to early-season upsets of nationally-ranked opponents. By the end of the campaign, SPU had claimed its first Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship, returned to the NCAA tournament for the first time in four years and attained its highest national ranking, finishing at No. 18.

If anything, he raised the bar in his second campaign. For the first time, SPU went undefeated in conference play. They returned to the Pacific Regional for the second year in a row and established a school records for winning percentage and fewest losses, finishing 24-3.

Johnson was voted GNAC co-coach of the year for the second straight season.

Prior to his appointment as head coach, Johnson spent one season as an assistant under Kellie Ryan. When Ryan resigned after five seasons, he became only the third coach in the program’s 19-year existence and the first male.

This is the first head coaching position for Johnson, who also served three years as an assistant at Westmont, an NAIA national power, from 2001-03. The Warriors reached the national tournament in ’01 and ’02.

“We aggressively searched the nation and found in Chris Johnson a very compelling candidate right under our own noses,” said Box. “Chris will move the program forward. He brings fresh ideas and approaches, and we feel he’s deserving of this opportunity.”

A native of Bellevue and graduate of Interlake High School, Johnson earned his bachelor’s degree in art from Westmont in 2002. He played a total of five years at the collegiate club level, including three at Westmont.

“I couldn't ask for a better situation,” said Johnson. “To be coaching at a such a wonderful and highly prestigious Christian university in my hometown is simply ideal. I’m excited this coming season, and I’m confident believe that our team will continue to improve and advance the program.”

Johnny Lai, Assistant Coach

Johnny Lai, formerly a coach at the junior college and club level, has been a member of the Falcons’ staff since 2006.

Lai served as an assistant coach at Bellevue Community College the past three seasons and was a head coach at Club Wahine in Auburn since 2002.

A scientist in biotechnology, Lai currently is a developmental specialist with Novartis AG in Seattle. He earned his master’s at Washington after obtaining his bachelor’s degree at UC Davis.

He is single and lives in Seattle.

Crystal Ames, Assistant Coach

Joining the SPU staff for 2007 is Crystal Ames, formerly a head coach of Team Yakima VC and an All-American at Central Washington.

Ames, a graduate of Shorecrest High School, helped led Central to a pair of Great Northwest Athletic Conference championships and NCAA tournament berths in 2004 and ’05. She was twice voted all-GNAC and was chosen as the league’s newcomer of the year in 2003.

She spent two years as a head coach for YVC while completing work toward her degree at Central.