Coaching Staff

Kelly O'Connor
Associate Head Coach

Kelly O'Connor joined head coach Matt Buttermore's staff as an assistant coach for the Omaha volleyball program in the spring of 2019. She was elevated to associate head coach in June 2022.

O'Connor most recently served as the video coordinator for the Nebraska Husker volleyball program where the team captured the 2017 NCAA Division I National Championship and earned a runner-up finish in 2018. Before coming to NU, O’Connor was a graduate assistant for two seasons at Hastings College, helping the Broncos win the 2016 NAIA national title.

She played two seasons at Dickinson State in North Dakota, where she was a two-year starter and tied the school record for career triple-doubles. She began her collegiate career at Great Falls College in Montana and later was a student assistant at Dickinson State in 2014.

O'Connor earned her bachelor’s degree in math education with a minor in biology in 2015 from Dickinson State.

Laura Buttermore
Assistant Coach - Strength & Performance

Laura (Pilakowski) Buttermore is an NSCA certified strength coach with over 15 years of experience. She is entering her second season with the Omaha volleyball program. Previously, Laura was the Strength and Conditioning Coach for Hastings College volleyball (2012-2018). Prior to Hastings College, Laura spent eight years as the volleyball Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of Nebraska (2004-11).

Before becoming a strength coach, Laura was a national championship volleyball student-athlete at Nebraska (1999-2002). Her individual accolades include: Big 12 Co-Conference Player of the Year (2002), Big 12 Female Sportsperson of the Year (2002-03), three-time CoSIDA Academic All-American (2000-02), two-time AVCA All-American, (2000-02), three-time First-Team All-Big 12 selection (2000-02) and an NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship Winner (2002).

Laura is a native of Columbus, Neb., and graduated with highest distinction from Nebraska in December 2003 with a bachelor’s in marketing. Laura is married to Omaha volleyball head coach, Matt Buttermore, and they have two daughters - Emelyn and Lainey.