(Gilbert, AZ) Director of Athletics Jeff Fore has announced the hiring of Stephanie Lindsey as the Buccaneers new women’s volleyball and beach volleyball head coach.
“I am extremely excited about what Stephanie brings to the program,” said Fore. “She energetic, is an excellent communicator and has a strong volleyball background.”
Lindsey comes to Park – Gilbert after spending one year at Clarendon (Texas) College where she attempting to turn around a program which has struggled in recent years. Prior to Clarendon, Lindsey was a graduate assistant, assistant coach and head beach coach at her alma mater Oklahoma Wesleyan University in Bartlesville, where she helped build an indoor program which went 34-3 in 2022.
Lindsey was an assistant coach for the indoor program and at the helm of the OWU beach program in 2021-22. The Eagles went 15-12 in the indoor season with an 8-6 record in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, which included a win over NAIA national tournament team McPherson (Kan.) College.
The Corsicana, Texas, native started her coaching career at OWU as a graduate assistant coach for two seasons as she earned a master’s degree in educational leadership. Her responsibilities included advanced scouting, recruiting, and strength and conditioning. The Eagles posted a 54-45 (.545) record during her time as a GA and full-time assistant.
Lindsey also led the U15 Bartlesville club volleyball team during her time as a graduate assistant.
A right side hitter as a player, Lindsey had an outstanding career at OWU. As a senior, she was second on the team in kills (293) and points (332.5), and third in blocks (57, 18 solo). Lindsey had 561 kills in her career with a .142 attack percentage while posting 148 blocks. She was a team captain as a senior.
Lindsey graduated magna cum laude from Oklahoma Wesleyan with a bachelor’s degree in biology/pre-medicine. She was a member of the dean’s list every semester at OWU and received a top science major tuition grant, awarded to the top five students in science majors based on grade point average.
Lindsey takes over a Park – Gilbert indoor program which has established itself as one of the top programs on the West Coast, having qualified for the NAIA national tournament the last two seasons. In in the 2023 season this fall, the Buccaneers will return four starters from the two-time defending California Pacific Conference championship team, including 2022 Cal Pac Player of the Year and 2021 NAIA honorable mention All-American outside hitter Amanda Jonovich.
“I am honored and grateful to be selected as the next Head Women’s Volleyball Coach at Park University-Gilbert,” said Lindsey. “I want to thank Jeff Fore and the entire athletic administration for their confidence in my ability to lead this program. I look forward to working relentlessly in pursuit of making a positive impact on all aspects of the student athletes’ experience. I’m excited to get started, and I can’t wait to meet the team and start forming those relationships.”
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English