(Tempe, AZ) Sun Devil Volleyball has added Ellen Andrews to the staff as an assistant coach, as announced by head coach JJ Van Niel on Thursday.
From an impressive playing career to numerous coaching stops at multiple clubs and universities, Andrews has a ton of experience to bring to Arizona State in her new role. She will be an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.
“Ellen Andrews is not just a coach, but a relationship builder with the intelligence and passion for recruiting that is unmatched,” Van Niel said. “Throughout the interview process, she continually demonstrated an exceptional ability to connect with players and colleagues, a strategic mind for recruiting, and very strong organizational and coaching skills. She will be an invaluable asset to our coaching staff.”
Andrews has a lot of club coaching experience, which is where she was working most recently. From 2017-23, she was at Kairos Elite Volleyball Club in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where she was a recruiting coordinator and head coach. While there, she got 64-plus college commitments, five AAU National Championships and 28 AAU/USAV All-Americans. She spent two years as the recruiting coordinator and head coach for the Club Madfrog in Dallas, Texas, from 2015-16. Following her playing career, she had a couple coaching stops, first in Sioux Falls at Sioux Falls South Volleyball from 2007-09. In 2010, she coached at the Nebraska Elite Volleyball Club.
“Ellen is an excellent choice for JJ and Arizona State,” Villanova Head Coach Josh Steinbach said. “She’s going to be a great fit as a point person for recruiting. She’s a magnetic personality and an incredibly organized and detailed person. She has a relentless work ethic that I think is ideal for the new Sun Devil program.”
Andrews has coached at two previous universities. She returned to her alma mater Augustana as an assistant coach in 2016 and was there for two years. She helped lead the team to the 2016 NCAA Tournament, the program’s first since 2008. The Vikings not only qualified, but they also won their first game, the program’s first win since 2006. While Andrews was on the staff, the team had two top-25 finishes. Additionally, she pushed the team to impressive accolades. They had one All-American and seven all-conference players.
“Ellen is one of the best coaches I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with,” said Dan Meske, former Augustana coach and current associate head coach at Louisville. “As as our recruiting coordinator, I always thought she set the standard for our conference and region. Her work ethic and ability to connect with student-athletes is second to none and I’m so excited for her on this new opportunity!”
Andrews spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Sam Houston State University from 2010 to 2013 and helped the Bearkats to a Southland Conference title in 2012. During her tenure at Sam Houston State, seven different players earned All-Southland honors a total of 11 times. Andrews also oversaw one player who was recognized as the league’s Player of the Year following the team’s 2012 conference championship season. Sam Houston State earned a spot in the Southland Conference Tournament all four years Andrews spent as an assistant coach with the Bearkats. Andrews joined the Sam Houston State staff as a graduate assistant coach in 2010 before being promoted to full time in 2011.
Not only does Andrews have coaching experience, but she was a successful student-athlete in her own right. She played right side at Augustana from 2005-09. During her playing career, Andrews earned All-NSIC Honorable Mention honors in 2008 and All-North Central Conference first team honors in 2007. Andrews was also a Daktronics All-Central Region honoree in 2008. She played in 122 matches and still ranks fifth all-time at Augustana in kills with 1,340. Andrews was a member of four straight NCAA Tournament teams during her career, including her redshirt season in 2005. She was named a team captain in 2009 and led the Vikings with 318 kills (2.97/set) while finishing second on the team with 65 total blocks.
Andrews earned a master’s degree in kinesiology from Sam Houston in 2011. She was a 2009 Summa Cum Laude graduate of Augustana, earning her bachelor’s in exercise science. She is originally from Bancroft, Nebraska.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Kimberlie Haner
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