Allie Matters was named the eighth head volleyball coach in Illinois State history on March 8, 2022.
Matters joins the Redbird volleyball program after four seasons as the head coach at Wright State University where she led the Raiders to two NCAA Tournament appearances, two Horizon League regular season titles and a Horizon League Tournament title.
In four seasons at the helm of the Raiders’ volleyball program, Matters compiled an impressive 79-30 overall record (.725) and a 48-15 record in conference play, leading WSU from the bottom of the Horizon League to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances in 2019 and 2020-21.
In his role with the Chippewas DePauw planned individual setter training, scouted offensive plans for opponents and implemented practice plans and drills. He also was responsible for planning itineraries for potential student-athlete visits and opening dialogue with prospective student-athletes. DePauw helped guide Central Michigan to a 2019 MAC West Conference title and a 2019 NIVC First Round appearance. He was also a member of the Athletic Diversity Council while at Central Michigan. Additionally, DePauw served as the head coach for the girls 18-2 VC United team, where he was the lead libero trainer for the program.
Read MoreWagner, a two-time All-American at Wisconsin-Whitewater as a middle hitter and native of DeKalb, Ill., spent the 2022 season as an assistant at Wisconsin-Stout.
Prior to her time at UW-Stout, Wagner was an assistant at Normal's Heartland CC in 2021 as the Hawks advanced to Nationals in the program's second season of existence.
Wagner began her coaching career with a three-year stint at Western Illinois while completing a Master's degree in Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration.
Wagner graduated from UW-Whitewater with a degree in Health, Human Performance and Recreation and has also coached club at Illini Elite in Bloomington, Ill. and Kokoro in Eau Claire, Wis.
Steve Wrzala officially joined the Redbird Volleyball staff as the Director of Volleyball Operations on June 1, 2022 after previously serving as an Academic Coordinator in the Illinois State Athletics Department. No stranger to Illinois State, the two-time Illinois State alum also spent time working in operations at the Weibring Golf Club and with the Redbird Football program and served as a Development and Sales graduate assistant for Redbird Athletics.
In his role with Redbird Volleyball Wrzala will be responsible for coordinating team travel and meals, handling administrative duties and serving as the liaison for academics, equipment and marketing.