Alma Mater: Utica University
Hometown/High School: Lowville, NY/ Lowville
Record at Utica: 63-74 (2021–Present)
YEAR-BY-YEAR at Utica University:
2025: 13-17, 5-6 Empire 8 (Empire 8 Tournament Appearance)
2024: 9-15, 3-8 Empire 8
2023: 16-13, 3-5 Empire 8 (Empire 8 Tournament Appearance)
2022: 17-12, 4-5 Empire 8 (Empire 8 Tournament Semifinalist)
2021: 8-17, 2-6 Empire 8
Career Roadmap:
Utica University | 2021–Present (HC)
Mohawk Valley Community College | 2014–2021 (HC)
Josh Higby recently completed his fifth season as head coach of the Utica University volleyball program in 2025. He is the fifth head coach in program history and took the reins ahead of the 2021 season.
In his first five seasons at Utica, Higby has led the Pioneers to a 63-74 overall record and a 17-30 mark in the Empire 8 while earning three Empire 8 Conference Tournament appearances. Under his leadership, Utica appeared in back to back conference tournaments in the 2022 and 2023 seasons, with a semifinal appearance in 2022.
The 2025 season saw Utica finish 13-17 overall, with Megan Wright and Trinity Bailey earning Empire 8 Third Team honors. Wright also earned ECAC Second Team recognition and surpassed 1,000 career digs, while Lauren Jones became the latest Pioneer to reach 1,000 career assists. Jones was also named an Empire 8 Tomorrow’s Leader. Wright and Bailey were additionally recognized as CSC Academic All-District selections.
The 2024 season saw the Pioneers battle through a competitive schedule, finishing 9-15 overall and 3-8 in Empire 8 play. Peyton Miggliaccio was recognized for her leadership, integrity, and positive impact on and off the court, earning the Empire 8 Sportswoman of the Year Award.
Higby led the Pioneers to a 16-13 record in 2023, including a 5-1 mark at home. The season marked the first time in program history that Utica posted consecutive winning seasons and advanced to the Empire 8 Tournament in back-to-back years. Eleanor Cepiel earned her second consecutive Empire 8 First Team selection and became the program’s all-time leader in kills with 1,113. Over the 2022 and 2023 seasons, the Pioneers compiled a combined 32-27 record and an 11-4 mark at home.
The 2022 campaign marked a historic season for Utica, as Higby guided the Pioneers to a 17-12 overall record and the program’s first postseason berth based solely on its record. Utica earned its first postseason victory with a 3-2 win over third-seeded Nazareth College in the Empire 8 quarterfinals before falling to second-seeded Hartwick College, 3-2, in the semifinals. Cepiel earned Empire 8 First Team honors after receiving Third Team recognition in 2021, while Krystell Pappas was named to the Empire 8 All-Tournament Team.
In his inaugural season in 2021, Higby led Utica to its highest win total since 2014, finishing 8-17 overall with four home victories, including wins over Keuka and Alfred. Eleanor Cepiel earned Empire 8 Third Team honors, while Kurstan Martin joined her in earning Empire 8 weekly accolades.
Prior to Utica, Higby spent seven seasons as the head volleyball coach at nearby Mohawk Valley Community College. In 2019, he was named the Mountain Valley Conference Coach of the Year after leading the Hawks to an NJCAA Region III Tournament berth.
A familiar face on the Utica campus, Higby earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Utica while competing for four seasons on the men’s lacrosse team. He served as team captain during his junior and senior seasons.
