NORMAL, Ill. – Allie Matters has been named the eighth head coach in the history of the Redbird volleyball program.
Fans are invited to welcome Matters to Illinois State at a fan event on Monday, March 14 at the Aaron Leetch Legacy Club at Hancock Stadium. More details will be posted on goredbirds.com and the Redbird Volleyball social media accounts.
"I am so grateful for this opportunity to lead the Illinois state volleyball team," Matters said. "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 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 (.725) overall record and a 48-15 (.761) record in conference play, leading WSU from the bottom of the Horizon League to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances in 2019 and 2020-21.
"We could not be more excited to have Allie Matters leading our volleyball program at Illinois State," ISU Director of Athletics Kyle Brennan said. "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. A culture-focused leader who challenges everyone around her to be better, Allie will make a huge impact on the Redbird volleyball student-athletes, and we are excited to have her join the Redbird family."
Matters is coming off an impressive fall 2021 season where she led the Raiders to a 23-8 record that included an eight-match and 22-set win streak from October 3 – October 22 and upset wins over Michigan State and Dayton on the road.
"Allie had an impressive playing career, as well as tremendous success as an assistant and head coach," said Senior Deputy Director of Athletics/SWA Leanna Bordner. "It became even more impressive speaking to those who know her, as well as those who have worked closely with her. As we worked through our process, her ability to lead our Redbird Volleyball program became very clear hearing her vision, priorities, and the ability to develop talent all while focusing on and prioritizing a culture that lends itself to championships and positive student-athlete experiences. Her energy, enthusiasm and drive will serve us well into the future of Redbird Volleyball."
In April 2021, following the 2020 season that was postponed to the spring of 2021, Matters was named the AVCA Northeast Region Coach of the Year. After receiving the award, Matters went on to lead Wright State to its first – and the Horizon League's first – NCAA win, sweeping Samford in three sets in the opening round before falling to eventual national runner-up Texas in the second round.
The spring 2021 Raiders were undefeated in Horizon League play, going 14-0 during the regular season with 11 three-set matches and their lone loss coming in five sets to crosstown foe Dayton, another 2021 NCAA Championship qualifier.
In 2019, Matters led the Raiders to a 24-4 regular season record, winning 20 or more matches for just the seventh time in the program's Division I era, on the way to their first Horizon League regular season championship in program history and an at-large bid to the NCAA Championship – the first at-large NCAA Tournament bid in the history of the athletics department. Matters was named the 2019 Horizon League Coach of the Year and later earned recognition on VolleyballMag.com's Under 40 Coaching Hotshots list in January 2020.
Prior to serving as the head coach at Wright State, Matters spent seven seasons as the top assistant at her alma mater, Seton Hall. While at Seton Hall, she helped coach the Pirates to their most successful season in program history in 2014, culminating with the program's first ever berth in the NCAA Tournament. Matters and head coach Allison Yaeger were also named Big East Coaching Staff of the Year.
A Buffalo, NY native, Matters played at Seton Hall from 2006-09, racking up numerous records and leading the Pirates to their first Big East Championship appearance in 15 years as a senior. A two-time All-Big East Second-Team selection, Matters recorded double-digit digs in the final 68 matches of her career with the Pirates - the nation's longest active streak at the end of the 2009 season.
Prior to returning to Seton Hall as assistant coach, Matters was at Canisius for two seasons in the same role.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING…
Bob Grant, Director of Athletics at Wright State
"Allie is a rising star in our business. What she's been able to accomplish here in a short period of time has been nothing short of phenomenal. The fact she was able to achieve that success within our person (1st), student (2nd), athlete (3rd) culture makes it even more impressive. The Redbirds are getting a great coach."
Joylynn Brown, Senior Associate Athletics Director/Senior Woman Administrator at Wright State
"Allie's dynamic personality and passion for volleyball bring energy to any space she is in. Witnessing the complete turnaround this program has had since she joined us has been amazing. Illinois state is in great hands with Coach Matters."
Celia Powers, Former student-athlete under Matters
"There are a million things I could say about Allie Matters. Besides her success at Wright State which can be found in statistics, records and awards, Allie changed our lives when she became our Head Coach. Together, with her leadership, our team achieved things we had never thought possible, things we had only dreamed about. My teammates and I are so blessed she came at the time she did. She wasn't just a coach to us. She was our leader, our number one fan, our advocate and a listening ear on any subject. She is smart, diligent, empowering, courageous, trusting. To say Illinois State is getting a good one is an understatement. They are extremely lucky to have her. I am so proud of her for stepping up and taking this position. I know she will achieve the same success she did at WSU, both on and off the court."
Marie Zidek, Head Coach at DePaul
"Few coaches can get more out of their players than Allie can. It just doesn't matter who her teams are playing, what the ranking says, or who should win ... her teams are always willing to play just a little bit harder, a little bit smarter, and a little bit longer than a lot of teams. She was like this as a player, and she's been like this as a coach since the beginning. Her teams have benefitted from tremendous success because of it. She gets her players to out-perform the word 'should,' and this is probably one of the most important skills to have in coaching. Allie is a proven motivator, developer of talent, and leader."
Allie Yaeger, Head Coach at Binghamton
"Illinois State is getting one of the best up and coming coaches in the women's division one game. With Allie's coaching skills, tremendous work ethic, and knowledge of the game I have no doubt that she will continue to carry on the championship tradition at ISU. She has proved her ability to recruit high quality student-athletes and with her relationship building skills, she continues to get the best out of those players. Allie will be a great mentor to her student-athletes both on and off the court. She has always had a significant impact on any program she has been a part of, and I know she will provide an excellent experience for her student athletes. I look forward to following ISU's future success."
Craig Dyer, Associate Head Coach at Notre Dame
"Allie is one of the most talented young coaches in the country and I am thrilled that she has been hired at Illinois State. She understands the sport at a high level, is driven to win and is a strong female role model. She truly cares about her student-athletes as people and as players and I am confident that with her leadership, the Redbirds will have continued success in the Missouri Valley and beyond."
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