June 16, 2025: North Yarmouth Academy (NYA) Varsity Volleyball welcomes alumna Jordan Ackerman ‘18 Waitekus to the head coaching position this fall. She played volleyball for four years at NYA and went on to play at Lasell University. Last season, she led the JV squad and assisted Dave Gagne with the varsity team. She is more than ready to take the lead of a program she knows very well.

We are thrilled to welcome Coach Waitekus to the helm of NYA volleyball,” said NYA Athletic Director Kelsy Ross. “She is no stranger to the program, having been a member of the team under Coach Nora Krainis, and more recently, the junior varsity head coach and varsity assistant with Dave Gagne. Her competitiveness, volleyball IQ, and appreciation for the traditions of the program all made her a perfect fit for the role. We are eager to see where she takes the program in the years to come.

“I am so excited to start this season as head coach,” said Waitekus. “I will bring a great perspective to this program as once being a player on the team and then moving to play in college at Lasell University where I learned from some amazing coaches. I want to carry these coaching qualities and team dynamics to the NYA volleyball program this year. As assistant coach last year, I was able to learn a lot about the program and the team, and I saw a lot of potential in the girls. I’m excited to start back up this season, and my goals for the team are for them to: come to the gym every day ready to give 110 percent, be respectful of each other and grow as a team together, help each and every girl get the most of this experience and grow on and off the court, and lastly, compete in every game and practice and have so much fun! I can’t wait to start, and Go Panthers!!”

North Yarmouth Academy is an independent, college preparatory, coeducational day and boarding school for over 400 toddlers to postgraduate students. NYA has fostered integrity, character, and intellect in its students since 1814. The Academy is located in the small coastal town of Yarmouth, Maine, 10 minutes from Portland and two hours from Boston. For more information about NYA, go to NYA.org.