Illinois State athletics has another new head coach to introduce. Days after the university named a new men's basketball coach, ISU filled its head coaching vacancy in volleyball.
Allie Matters becomes the eight head coach in history of the Redbird volleyball program. Matters comes to ISU from Wright State. That school won two Horizon League titles and complied a 79-30 (.725) record in her four seasons as head coach. Prior to that, Matters spent seven season as an assistant coach at Seton Hall, her alma mater.
“I am so grateful for this opportunity to lead the Illinois state volleyball team,” Matters said in a news release. “I want to thank President Terri Goss Kinzy, Director of Athletics Kyle Brennan, Senior Deputy Director of Athletics/SWA Leanna Bordner and the entire senior staff for their passion and commitment to the volleyball program and women’s athletics. ISU volleyball has been built on the shoulders of extraordinary women, and I am eager to get to work and continue its rich history and tradition of success. I am honored to be a Redbird.”
Matters replaces Leah Johnson. She recently took the head coaching job at Michigan State after leading the Redbirds to three Missouri Valley Conference championships in five seasons.
“Redbird volleyball has a rich tradition of success and I know that Allie is capable of not only meeting the expectations in place but raising the standard even further for our volleyball program,” ISU athletics director Kyle Brennan said in a statement.
ISU will invite fans to a welcoming event for the new coach next Monday at the Aaron Leetch Legacy Club at Hancock Stadium. Details will be announced later.
