Kristy Lenoir has dedicated more than four decades to the game of volleyball, building a career centered on developing student-athletes both on and off the court. A native of Jonesboro, Lenoir’s passion for mentoring young women has remained at the heart of her coaching philosophy, emphasizing leadership, discipline, and life skills alongside athletic success.

A standout athlete herself, Lenoir was named Arkansas Female Athlete of the Year in 1988 before continuing her career at University of Tennessee on a full athletic scholarship. As a four-year starter for the Lady Vols, she earned both All-SEC and All-SEC Academic honors while competing at the highest level of collegiate volleyball. She graduated in 1992 with a degree in Special Education.

Lenoir brings more than 25 years of coaching experience to her role at Chattanooga State Community College. Prior to joining the Lady Tigers, she served as head coach at East Hamilton Middle High School during the school’s inaugural years, leading the Hurricanes for seven seasons. Under her leadership, East Hamilton produced multiple All-State players and twice earned top-five finishes in the Tennessee AA State Tournament. Before that, she coached at The Boyd-Buchanan School, guiding the program to consecutive state tournament appearances, including a State Runner-Up finish in 2008. That same season, she was recognized as the Tennessee East All-Star Coach.

Now entering her seventh season with the Lady Tigers, Lenoir has continued to elevate the program’s success. During her tenure, she has coached 16 All-Region selections, three Region Freshman of the Year honorees, two Region Players of the Year, two All-Americans, and has twice been named Region Coach of the Year.

Kristy and her husband, Patrick Lenoir, have three children who each continued the family’s athletic tradition. Their son Jackson competed in both tennis and volleyball at the collegiate level and now serves as the head volleyball coach at Covenant Colleg. Their son Bailey played football at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, earning All-SOCON honors, while their daughter Emma starred at Christian Brothers University, finishing her career as the active NCAA Division II national leader in kills.