2017 was Bobby Blanken's first season as Colorado Christian's Head Volleyball Coach. In his first year, Coach Blanken led the team to a conference record of 14-4 which landed a 4th place conference finish which allowed the program to host an RMAC Tournament match for the first time.
During his seasons with the Cougars he has coached many all-conference players as well as an All-Region and All-American player in Sophia Proano. He has qualified the Cougars for the RMAC Tournament in eight of his first nine seasons.
In the 2024 season, the Cougars soared to new heights as they upset higher seeds in back-to-back games in the RMAC Tournament and made their first Tournament Title game in program history. The team made an NCAA Regional Appearance, their second all time and first since 2012.
Before Colorado Christian, Blanken served as MSU Denver's Head Assistant Coach since 2014. In his three-year stint at MSU Denver, Blanken helped lead a very successful program that went 18-0 in the RMAC in 2016.
Prior to coaching at MSU Denver, Blanken was the Head Women’s Volleyball Coach at The Master’s College in Santa Clarita, CA from 2010-2014. During his time at The Master’s College, Blanken successfully built the program from a 7-22 first year record to a No. 6 NAIA finish in his final year. Blanken was named the 2012 AVCA West Region Coach of the Year and 2012 Golden State Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. At The Master's College, Blanken totaled a record of 87-56 (.608).
Beyond his success on the court, Bobby brings a passion for disciplining young athletes in their faith. He has his master’s degree in Kinesiology from Fresno Pacific University, with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Missouri Western State University. Blanken had been teaching college courses at both Metro and Master’s while coaching. He and his wife are the parents of five children, the oldest being 14 and ranging down to one.
Alexis Benda joins the women’s volleyball program from MSU Denver where she played from 2017-2021 as an integral part of their volleyball team. She garnered the D2ADA Academic Achievement Award her senior year, All RMAC First Team her junior year, and honor roll each year. Finishing her career, she ranked 22nd in MSU Denver program history with 116 matches played and 29th with 164 block assists as an outside hitter. Her last volleyball season on the team was followed by a year as an assistant coach for their volleyball program. Benda joins the CCU program with a wealth of knowledge from her time on the court and experience as a staff member with a vision to help athletes grow to their full potential.
Benda is from Las Cruces, NM and currently resides in Lakewood, CO. Benda graduated with a degree in Special Education, and was a special education teacher for one year but is excited to rejoin the coaching world and bring some of her talents to CCU. She will continue to teach part time and is currently working towards a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership. During her free time she enjoys reading and traveling around the world.