WEST PLAINS, Mo. – The Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) Grizzly Volleyball team once again found its new assistant coach from the ranks of its alumni.
Former setter Susannah Kelley (2014-2015) has been tapped to fill the role after serving as the campus’ graduate assistant of athletics during 2019 season. She replaces Briana Walsh, another Grizzly Volleyball alum, who took a position with Willard Middle School this past summer.
Kelley’s hiring is subject to approval by the Missouri State University Board of Governors; however, she officially began her duties Monday, Nov. 9.
“There are things you know about your former players, and one thing I’ve always known about Sus is she is built to coach and teach this game,” said Grizzly Volleyball Head Coach Paula Wiedemann. “As a player, she made an impact in our program on the court and in the classroom. She understands what our program represents, the goals we want to reach and what it takes to get there.
“We were lucky enough for her to join us last year as a graduate assistant for athletics, and she has proven herself with her work ethic, passion and understanding of what needs to be done,” Wiedemann added. “Sus has a genuine love for our campus and community.”
“My two years here as a player were so memorable,” Kelley said. “It was an easy decision to come back as the graduate assistant when the position was opened and an even easier one to apply for this position.
“Coming back last year was such an incredible learning opportunity, experiencing this program on the coaching side,” she added. “I can honestly say the feel hasn’t changed. There is something special here that draws people back.”
Kelley brings an impressive player pedigree to her new position. She was a two-time all-state setter for Jonesboro (Arkansas) High School and helped lead the Golden Hurricane to the 2013 Arkansas 6A State Championship. She also earned MVP honors for the championship game.
At MSU-WP, she helped the Grizzlies compile a combined 53-26 record for the 2014 and 2015 seasons, pick up two NJCAA Region 16 and district titles, and place seventh and eighth, respectively, at the 2014 and 2015 NJCAA Division I Women’s National Volleyball Championship Tournaments.
She also earned first team All-Region 16 and NJCAA Academic All-American honors both seasons and NJCAA Honorable Mention All-American accolades in 2015. Her 2,359 career assists places her third in that category among all Grizzly setters.
“The majority of what I learned over my volleyball career started here,” Kelley said. “This place helped us develop good habits, on and off the court, and taught us the value of discipline. Our connection as teammates was extraordinary. We were united on the expectations set for us, and everything we accomplished we did it together.”
In her one season at Columbia College in Columbia, Kelley helped the Cougars post a 29-11 record and win the American Midwest Conference (AMC) championship. She also earned Academic All-AMC Conference honors.
In her last competitive season at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, Kelley helped the Lions post a 26-7 record and win the Heartland Conference championship. She also earned first team All-Heartland Conference honors and was named the Heartland Conference Setter of the Year.
In addition to last season’s graduate assistant position with the Grizzlies, Kelley’s coaching resume includes one season with Van Buren (Arkansas) High School, three years with the Fort Smith Juniors club team, and one year with the Show-Me Juniors club team.
“I am very eager to take on more responsibility and claim this program as part of my own,” Kelley said. “There is so much more for me to learn working for the staff here. A cohesive team dynamic is at the core of any great team, and I was lucky enough to get to experience that as a player and a coach. I couldn’t be more excited to still be on the giving end of everything this place has to offer, helping these players figure out the important, continuous values in life.”
“When former Bri left, I told Interim Chancellor (Dennis) Lancaster that Sus was someone I would be interested in for this position, even if she wasn’t already on our campus beginning her second year as a graduate assistant,” Wiedemann said.
“Having her here only made me more certain that she has what it takes to be a great coach, a great team player on campus and someone our players can look up to. I look forward to watching her grow in her professional career,” Wiedemann added.
Kelley will complete her Master of Professional Studies degree with an emphasis in Sports Management in May from MSU in Springfield.
For more information about the Grizzly Volleyball team, visit its website at msuwpgrizzlies.com/sports/wvball/index or call 417-255-7950.
