Kevin Ulmer, head coach of the Bemidji State University women's volleyball team for the past nine seasons, has died after a lengthy battle with cancer, the school announced Wednesday morning. He was 41.

Ulmer died Tuesday afternoon surrounded by his family, the announcement read.

"We are heartbroken to lose our colleague, our coach, and our friend Kevin Ulmer," Bemidji State Director of Athletics Britt Lauritsen said in a statement.

Friday's match at University of Minnesota Crookston has been canceled, the school said.

Ulmer came to Bemidji State in 2016 after serving as the head volleyball coach at Bethel College (Ind.) for four seasons and earlier as an assistant coach at Georgetown College (Ky.).

He graduated from Northwestern College (Iowa) in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in physical education and health education, and earned his master's degree in biomechanics and exercise physiology at the University of Kentucky.

Since taking over the program in 2016, 30 of his players have earned Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference All-Academic Team honors

He also coached two All-NSIC selections, Jessica Yost and Rylie Bjerklie, in one of the toughest volleyball conferences in NCAA Div. II.

Ulmer's survivors include his wife, Kate Ulmer, and three daughters. Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.