Eastern Michigan Athletics
Kimi Olson Leaves Position as EMU Volleyball Coach
1/23/2019 1:30:00 PM | Volleyball
National search will begin for EMU's ninth full-time head coach
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee announced today, Jan. 23, that Head Volleyball Coach Kimi Olson is departing the University for another coaching opportunity.
"We appreciate the work that Kimi has done to help our student-athletes both academically and athletically at Eastern Michigan," said Wetherbee. "She has certainly left the EMU volleyball program in a better place after guiding the program to its first Mid-American Conference Tournament championship last season. A national search will commence immediately and I look forward to hiring someone with a strong work ethic and who is a relentless recruiter, as we look to continue to win MAC championships and advance to the postseason."
In four seasons at the helm of EMU volleyball, Olson oversaw improvements in each season. She took over the program on Feb. 19, 2015, and compiled a record of 59-69.
In 2018, the squad took home its first MAC Tournament crown by taking down No. 8 Kent State and then upsetting No. 4 Buffalo, No. 1 Bowling Green, and No. 2 Miami on consecutive days. Eastern became the second-lowest seed to ever earn the MAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. A season prior, the Eagles made the conference tournament, winning its first round game against No. 5 Buffalo before bowing out in the quarterfinals.
At Eastern Michigan, she coached five All-MAC honorees, as well as 22 Academic All-MAC selections. Additionally, senior libero Alyssa LaFace in 2018 became the first EMU student-athlete named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Region team since 2002.
A national search to name Olson's replacement is underway.
"We appreciate the work that Kimi has done to help our student-athletes both academically and athletically at Eastern Michigan," said Wetherbee. "She has certainly left the EMU volleyball program in a better place after guiding the program to its first Mid-American Conference Tournament championship last season. A national search will commence immediately and I look forward to hiring someone with a strong work ethic and who is a relentless recruiter, as we look to continue to win MAC championships and advance to the postseason."
In four seasons at the helm of EMU volleyball, Olson oversaw improvements in each season. She took over the program on Feb. 19, 2015, and compiled a record of 59-69.
In 2018, the squad took home its first MAC Tournament crown by taking down No. 8 Kent State and then upsetting No. 4 Buffalo, No. 1 Bowling Green, and No. 2 Miami on consecutive days. Eastern became the second-lowest seed to ever earn the MAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. A season prior, the Eagles made the conference tournament, winning its first round game against No. 5 Buffalo before bowing out in the quarterfinals.
At Eastern Michigan, she coached five All-MAC honorees, as well as 22 Academic All-MAC selections. Additionally, senior libero Alyssa LaFace in 2018 became the first EMU student-athlete named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Region team since 2002.
A national search to name Olson's replacement is underway.
Players Mentioned
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