He has coached juniors volleyball for much of the past 25 years. Kansas head coach Ray Bechard gives instruction to his players during the first set on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017. Under Bechard, the Jayhawks have posted winning seasons in 13 of the last 14 years, reaching at least 18 wins in eight of those seasons. Trish Gadberry 1986 First Team Full Bio. She started off as the head coach at their middle school for 9 years and is currently in her 12th year at the high school. Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. Kansas had four players earn All-Big 12 recognition in 2021, including freshman outside hitter Caroline Bien, who was a First Team selection and Big 12 Freshman of the Year. Prior to joining Trinity College, Kustura served as a graduate assistant coach with both the men's and women's volleyball programs at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio from 2018-19. degree in Exercise Science with an emphasis on Rehabilitation Sciences. Sponsorship Opportunities Sara McClinton 2013 Honorable Mention View Full Bio. Brandon is in his 6th year as an assistant coach at Friends University. In addition, hes a three-time AVCA Region Coach of the Year at KU and he earned several Coach of the Year honors at the junior college level. By Staff Dec 9, 2021 Members of the Kansas volleyball team come together during the Jayhawks' Sweet 16 match at Pitt, on Dec. 9, 2021, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. LAWRENCE Kansas volleyball coach Ray Bechard has signed a three-year contract extension that will keep him with the Jayhawks through the 2025 season. The official 2022 Volleyball Roster for the Kansas State University Wildcats. The Kansas volleyball program recently announced the signing of four top prospects, each of whom head coach Ray Bechard said could make an immediate impact with the Jayhawks. Im extremely grateful for my continued association with an athletic program that is exceptionally supported and creates a first-class experience for its student-athletes, Bechard said in the release. When thinking about the most important qualities of a new coach, Taelor embodied everything that we were looking for. He was a USAV National Referee from 1986 through 1998, officiating Division I competition. The Volunteer Assistant Coach of the University of Kansas Women's Volleyball program is Nils Nielsen. A native of Grinnell, Kansas, Bechard played basketball at Barton Country, where he helped the Cougars to a 45-13 record in his two seasons. One of those years, in 2021, the Jayhawks even reached the Sweet 16. Kansas City's College Team. in Exercise Science from Wichita State. He helped found nationally recognized Magnum Volleyball in 1986 and has since worked with Austin Juniors, Club Red, Arizona East Valley, Spiral, and Catalyst before taking over as director of T3 in Coeur d'Alene. Donna was a 4-year starter at Iowa State and All-Big 8 Senior Year. When not coaching, Mike still competes in senior volleyball events. During the first full season in 2022, the Pioneers went 15-4 and took third at the inaugural AVCA Two-Year Beach Championships. He has been coaching volleyball all over the country since 1993. The Rattlers finished second in the Heartland Conference in the regular season during Kustura tenure, increasing their winning percentage by over 100 points. But when they arrive, Bechard said the focus for the entire program would be on moving forward full speed ahead.. Paige Shaw Junior outside hitter from Mississippi State. KU Athletics announced the news Thursday, following back-to-back seasons that have seen Bechard lead Kansas to the NCAA tournament. Athletic, versatile and full of potential to impact the lineup in a number of ways, Whetstone is a four-time PrepVolleyball.com All-American. Following his tenure in Waco, Hosfeld joined the staff at Texas in 2004, working primarily with the Longhorns defense and middle blockers. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Her father, Brett Szabo, played for the NBAs Boston Celtics during the 1996-97 season. Staff Directory Members By Category/Department; Name Title Phone Email Address; Christi Posey: Head Coach He has coached 10 players who reached All-American status during their time at Kansas. Over the course of her four seasons in Spartanburg, Zimmerman was twice named Coach of the Year, guiding the Pioneers to three region titles. Call 1 (785) 843-1000 to contact any staff member. During her time in Columbia, the Gamecocks earned their first bid into the NCAA National Championship Tournament, and Zimmerman secured a spot in the USA Volleyball Collegiate Beach Pairs Championship in 2017. Erin McNorton 2013 Honorable Mention Seeing the praise heaped onto his recruiting class has helped him stay energized. All rights reserved. Geena Ziegler Assistant Coach. Here's why the KC coaching staff was so high on the 21 . A few weeks after seeing her play, the staff received an email about her interest in coming to the United States and it quickly worked to secure her commitment. Present from the Kansas women's basketball team were head coach Brandon Schneider - the 2023 Kansas Basketball Coaches Association (KBCA) Women's . Wilson, Ava Bechard is married to the former Pamela Brown. In addition, four Tigers were named AVCA DIII All-Americans during Kustura's time at Wittenberg. / Carter, Molly Bechard calls himself the Zoom Captain these days, and he participates in no fewer than seven Zoom calls a week three with his team, two with his coaching staff, one with his Big 12 peers and another with KUs compliance department. Caroline Jarmoc 2012 Second Team, 2013 Third Team In his lone season with the Bantams, Kustura implemented and controlled a team blocking system, helping Trinity improve their blocks per set from 1.03 to 1.77. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Learn the ways of Hornet volleyball on Thursday, May 4 when Emporia State coach Ken Murczek, his staff and players put on a free clinic at the ESU Practice Facility. Full Bio. KU volleyball adds former player to staff, Charges remain pending for turkey poachers who violated Kansas, Nebraska laws, Suspect leads officials on early-morning chase through 6 Kansas counties, Trial against KHP set to begin for alleged unlawful detainment of drivers, KU alumni team among 16 scheduled for TBT Wichita Super Regional, K-States Ekow Boye-Doe receives invite to Chiefs mini camp, Washburns JJ Letcher Jr. signs with Chiefs. Because of the fact that everything from a start date to final scheduling remains up in the air, Bechard knows he and his team will have to be patient. . Following his junior college playing career, Bechard attended Fort Hays State University, where he graduated with a bachelors degree in Physical Education in 1980. Chris Lamb is entering his 23rdseason as the head volleyball coach at Wichita State. While on staff with the Longhorns, Texas posted a record of 186-33, good for a .849 winning percentage. Seth Pringle, Athletic Communications. Morris, Jason He was the Volunteer Assistant at WSU from early 2020 until May of 2021. Roche, Jill There he was, Chris Vaughn, wearing a while dress shirt, leaning over a speakerphone, every word as clear as day, the Dallas Cowboys star logo hanging in the middle of the room, Jerry Jones to his right, Mike McCarthy to his left. Were pretty pumped about this group, Bechard told the Journal-World on Thursday. The unseeded Jayhawks were sent to Omaha, Nebraska, for the first weekend and KU brought home two wins after defeating #19 Oregon, 3-0, and #20 Creighton, 3-1, to advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the third time in program history. (330) 569-5969. Coached Junior Varsity at Maize South High School for 2 years in 2015 and 2016. We are excited to hit the ground running.". 2023 Kutztown University Athletics 15200 Kutztown Rd, Kutztown, PA 19530 | 610-683-4000 A four-year academic all-conference selection and member of four NCAA Tournament teams, Miller played on the 2016 that won the Big 12 title and on the 2015 team that advanced to the NCAA Final Four. 12-time AVCA District IV Junior College Coach of the Year [1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997], AVCA ALL-AMERICANS She received her B.S. Brandon is also the Senior Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at Friends University. Zimmerman also helped 14 student-athletes continue their playing career at the next level. When he's not covering KU sports, he likes to spend his time playing basketball and golf, listening to and writing music and traveling the world with friends and family. The Assistant Women's Volleyball Coach is responsible to assist with management and administration and management of the Women's Volleyball team within the guidelines, rules and regulations of Independence Community College, the Kansas Jayhawk Conference, and the National Junior College Athletic Association. BOULDER Colorado head coach JR Payne filled the vacancy on her coaching staff on Monday. I am blessed with hard-working and gifted assistant coaches, along with an outstanding support staff. Just last week, KU tweaked its 2020 schedule to get out of a season-opening tournament it would have flown to so it could get into a higher-level event that can be reached by bus ride. Lets go SHOCKWAVE! Douglass made it to state for the very first time in school history in 2011. But working through the challenges of the pandemic have kept Bechards mind occupied. Parks has a brother who plays on the Kansas football team. Student Manager. The 2015 team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before falling to eventual national champion Nebraska. LAWRENCE, Kan. (WIBW) - University of Kansas volleyball coach Ray Bechard announced on Tuesday the addition of former KU volleyball player Tori Miller to its staff for the upcoming 2022 season. Call 1 (785) 843-1000 to contact any staff member. Thanks to everyone who came out to our first Leadership Connect event this morning, kicking off Women's History Month in style! The KU coaching staff discovered . The Paola, Kan., native, spent five seasons as an assistant at Santa Clara before arriving in Stillwater. In all, 10 newcomers will be with the Jayhawks this fall, joining seven returning players on a roster packed with potential. She has coached Juniors in the Wichita area for 25 years for girls 15-18 Gold and Silver divisions. 2023 Volleyball Coaching Staff. Internships Im thankful for the working relationship I have with the other head coaches and the synergy and support that exists between Chancellor Doug Girod, Athletics Director Travis Goff and our sport administrator, Nicole Corcoran. Getting familiar with the Volleyball program is an important first step in the recruiting process. But theyve all been worth it, Bechard said, because he believes its a key part of the process of having the volleyball season as currently scheduled. Bechard, a four-time Big 12 Coach of the Year, has a career record of 428-291 (.595) while at Kansas, which includes a mark of 167-50 (.770) during a stretch that included six consecutive NCAA Tournament for the Jayhawks from 2012-17. Hailing from Sebastopol, Calif., Lamb is just the sixth head coach in WSU history. Karr played professionally in France for Dunkerque before venturing into coaching. Kelsie Payne 2015 First Team, 2016 First Team, 2017 Third Team She is joined in Wichita by her husband Parker, a former Shocker baseball player, and their son Parks. Sheila Johnson 1985 First Team. 1 prospect on AL.coms A-List heading into her senior season of high school. Name Position; Ray Bechard: Head Coach: Billy Ebel: The group will join returning Jayhawks Kennedy Farris (sophomore defensive specialist), Rachel Langs (junior middle blocker), Sara Nielsen (senior setter), Gracie Van Driel (sophomore middle blocker), Riley Foltz (redshirt freshman outside hitter), Audri Suter (junior defensive specialist) and Lacey Angello (junior defensive specialist) to make up the 2020 KU roster. The 2022 season saw Kansas finish 19-11, as it reached its eighth NCAA tournament in 11 tries. Coach Bechard has long been a national leader in the sport of volleyball, a key fixture for Kansas Athletics and in our community, and has elevated our entire department on a daily basis, KU Athletic Director Travis Goff said in the release. After finishing the season with a 34-48 record, the . She earned AVCA/Under Armour First Team All-American honors as a senior at Lakeville South High in Minnesota. Im lucky to call him one of my best friends. Privacy Policy Julie Williams 1994 First Team Prior to his time at Hiram, he served as an assistant women's volleyball coach and assistant strength and conditioning coach at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn.