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Pfeiffer University

Pfeiffer University Falcons Official Athletics Website of the Pfeiffer University Falcons

Vontreece Hayes

Vontreece Hayes enters her third season as the head women's basketball coach at Pfeiffer University in 2025-26.  Under Hayes, the first African American head coach of the Pfeiffer University women’s basketball program, leadership has sparked a wave of growth and momentum both on and off the court. 

2024-25
The Falcons entered the season earning a fifth-place spot in the USA South Preseason Coaches' Poll—the highest preseason ranking in program history (Division 3).  One of the early highlights came with a sweep of rival Greensboro College, a feat the program hadn't accomplished since joining the USA South.

February proved to be a defining month as the Falcons went undefeated, starting the month off  5-0 and securing the longest winning streak in Pfeiffer’s NCAA Division III era. That momentum was driven by a relentless defense that became the team’s calling card. Pfeiffer led the USA South in steals, averaging 13.75 per game, and topped the conference in forced turnovers with 23.7 per game.

Nationally, the Falcons ranked 17th in steals per game and 16th turnovers forced, solidifying their reputation as one of the most disruptive defensive units.

Senior point guard Alexis Bynum played a crucial role in the team’s success, capping off her collegiate career with a total of 1,003 points. A steady leader on the court, Bynum averaged 12.7 points and a team-best 3.4 assists per game, earning a well-deserved spot on the USA South First Team All-Conference.

Alongside Bynum, freshman guard Ava Hairston made an immediate impact, making history as the first Pfeiffer player to be named USA South Rookie of the Year. She led all conference rookies in scoring with 11.7 points per game while adding 4.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.0 steals per contest. Her efforts also earned her five USA South Rookie of the Week honors and an Honorable Mention All-Conference selection. Hairston led the league individually with 2.8 steals per game, anchoring Pfeiffer’s aggressive, high-pressure defense.

Pfeiffer also made school history, as it became the first team in program history to host a Division I opponent, welcoming N.C. Central University to Merner Gymnasium.

2023-24
Her first season on the Falcon sidelines was a breakthrough year for the program, as freshman standout Lola Cabaniss-Ali emerged as a force, earning four USA South Rookie of the Week honors and rewriting the record books with a 20-rebound performance against William Peace University—the highest single-game rebound total in program history. Cabaniss- Ali's performance on the boards led her to 8.6 rebounds per game placed her fourth in the USA South.

The Pfeiffer Falcons guided the team to its largest comeback in Pfeiffer’s Division III era during a dramatic win over Brevard College. After trailing 36–9 at halftime, the Falcons mounted an intense rally fueled by their relentless defense to secure a history-making victory. The team forced 25 turnovers in that contest, converting those into 30 points, and was led defensively by a standout nine-steal effort from Sophomore, Miya Horton.


Prior to taking the reigns of the Falcon program, she served two seasons as an assistant coach at NCAA Division II Millersville University in Millersville, Pa.  There, she helped rebuild the Marauders from a 7-20 overall mark in her first season with the program to an 18-12 mark in her second season in the highly competitive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), finishing fourth in the PSAC, advancing to the quarterfinals of the league tournament for the first time since the 2017-18 season and 2nd in the conference in steals (9.97). Also, aided in producing two PSAC East first and second team Student athletes and an Academic All District team student.
The 2015 graduate of fellow USA South member Greensboro College, prior to her stint at Millersville University. She led Robert B. Glenn High School in Kernersville, N.C., during the 2020-21 season as the head coach of the Bobcats. She coached two All-Central Piedmont 4A honorees, one being active roster player of the Lady Falcons, Amanda Finch, and helped the team produce a 3.4 GPA.  Prior to her lone season at the high school ranks, Hayes served as the lead assistant and had two stints as the interim head coach at her alma mater. In 2018-19, she helped The Pride to a 19-7 overall record; during the 2019-20 season, Hayes helped Greensboro to a 15-11 overall mark. During those seasons, she also served as the program's recruiting coordinator. Hayes was also integral in academic oversight, player development, game scheduling, and fundraising.  During the 2017-18 season, Hayes served as a graduate assistant for the women's basketball program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, where she earned a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling.
While there, Hayes helped the program produce  many accolades such as 2015 MEAC Defensive Player of the Year, the 2018 MEAC Rookie of the Year and several MEAC players of the week.  In addition to her coaching, Hayes has worked in event management for DREW Effect Sports Inc., conducting camps and leagues for former professional players. Hayes also previously served as a skills development trainer for Phoenix X-Press, producing seven collegiate signees.  Hayes has also been active in several professional development opportunities, as she is the founder of Check Up, a seminar focusing on individual growth from a mental and intellectual perspective of an athlete by informing and educating through assigned book readings, open dialogue sessions, shadow-work, and self-awareness exercises.
The beginning of Hayes coaching career began with the help of the WBCA "So You Want To Be Coach" program. An exclusive program that selects the top 50 current student-athletes in all three divisions. The program assists female collegiate basketball players who are interested in pursuing a career in coaching women's basketball by providing them with professional development and career advancement through education, skills enhancement, networking and exposure opportunities. She is still an active member of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and has participated in the WBCA Coach-to-Coach Mentoring Program. As a player, Hayes became the first female basketball player from Northern Guilford High School to sign a National Letter of Intent. She started her career at Pfeiffer University before playing her final two seasons at Greensboro College. There, Hayes helped the team to a 44-11 record and a 32-6 mark in USA South play, winning the USA South regular season and tournament championships and reaching the NCAA Tournament in 2014-15. Hayes served as a team captain during her senior season, in which she helped The Pride to an undefeated 11-0 mark in home games.