Spring Arbor University

Betsy Martinez is in her 12th season as head coach of the Spring Arbor University volleyball program in 2026. She also serves as an Assistant Athletic Director.

Since taking over the program in 2015, Martinez has guided the Cougars to 127 victories through the 2025 season. Her most successful season at SAU came in 2025, when Spring Arbor finished 23-10, recording its most wins since 2009 and earning the first NAIA Coaches’ Top 25 ranking in program history.

The Cougars opened the 2025 campaign with 12 consecutive victories and entered the national poll at No. 23. Spring Arbor also advanced to the Crossroads League Tournament semifinals after sweeping Taylor in the quarterfinals for its first conference tournament victory since 2011.

Five Cougars earned All-Crossroads League recognition in 2025, including First Team selections Kendall Bollenbacher and Keely Hinzman. Bollenbacher finished her career with 1,376 kills, establishing SAU’s career record in the 25-point rally-scoring era, and became the program’s first player in that era to reach both 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs.

Martinez came to Spring Arbor after three years coaching at Lenawee Christian School. She coached the eighth-grade team for one season before leading the varsity program for two seasons. Her experience also includes serving as director of the Elite Summit Volleyball Camp and as an Elite Sports Performance strength and conditioning coach through Lenawee Christian Ministries.

A native of Adrian, Michigan, Martinez earned 12 varsity letters as a multi-sport athlete at Lenawee Christian. She was a three-time All-State volleyball selection and earned Lenawee County Player of the Year honors as a junior and senior.

Martinez went on to become a four-time NAIA All-America selection at Taylor University. She helped the Trojans compile a 135-32 overall record and a 49-1 conference record, winning four consecutive Mid-Central College Conference regular season championships, two conference tournament titles and making three NAIA National Tournament appearances.

A three-time MCC Setter of the Year, Martinez finished her collegiate career with 6,087 assists, ranking second in Taylor history at the conclusion of her playing career. She earned selection to Taylor’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018.

Martinez received her Bachelor of Science in elementary education from Taylor in 2012. She and her husband, Colton, reside in Spring Arbor with their two sons, Everett and Tanner.