Alex Leja joined her sister Eryn Leja-Martin as an assistant women's volleyball coach at Concordia University Irvine in 2024.
In her first season in Irvine, the Golden Eagles won 16 games and went 11-9 in the PacWest. Concordia opened the year 5-1, swept Biola and Westmont, and notched key road wins over Hawaii Hilo and APU. Sophomore Kayden Croy was named First Team All-PacWest and led the team with 351 kills.
Before coming to CUI, Alex was the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the University of Saint Katherine serving the program for the last four seasons until the school ultimately closed in April 2024.
In 2023, Saint Katherine finished with a 30-6 record while being undefeated in conference play with an impressive 20-0 record. The season was highlighted by a 25-game winning streak and a 17-5 home record. The program won an average of 24 games over the last three seasons.
Prior to that, Alex was an assistant at Biola University for the 2019 season.
Alex served as the head coach at Alma College (NCAA Division III) from 2016-2018. She led the Scots to success with a 19-8 record. In her final season she posted the program's best record since 2008 and finished third which was the highest league finish since 2012.
Alex began her coaching career at Vanguard University from 2012-2016. The Lions rose within the NAIA National Rankings peaking at No. 4 while also winning the first ever Golden State Athletic Conference Championship in program history and reaching the NAIA National tournament in four straight seasons.
She was awarded the AVCA NAIA Southwest Region Assistant Coach of the Year in 2013 and received the accolade again in 2023.
Alex was on the inaugural volleyball team at the Academy of Art University, ultimately finishing her collegiate career as a captain for three seasons at Vanguard University. She led the conference in total assists with 1053 her senior year as 6-2 setter and her team finished ranked No. 14 in her final campaign. Alex played professionally in Italy before returning stateside due to injury.
Alex was a scholar-athlete each year at Vanguard earning her bachelor's degree in Theatre Arts: Technical/Set Design, graduating with Cum Laude honors and later added an associate's degree in Interior Design.
Outside of volleyball, Leja enjoys horseback riding, playing pickleball, and spending time with her dog, Pensa.
