NEWS
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May 13, 2008
Sudbeck Resigns; Buckley Named Head Volleyball Coach
Athletic Director Bill Gross today announced the resignation of Kim Sudbeck as head volleyball coach. At the same time, he announced the appointment of assistant coach Ashley Buckley as the Vikings’ eighth head volleyball coach.
In 13 seasons as head coach, Sudbeck became the winningest coach in Augustana volleyball history with a career record of 287-122. Her teams won four North Central Conference titles, made 11 appearances in the NCAA Division II region playoffs in the last 12 years, captured one North Central Region crown, and earned the school’s first appearance in the 2000 Elite Eight, where the Vikings claimed national runner-up honors.
“Kim has taken Augustana volleyball to the top level of Division II,” Gross said. “Her enthusiasm, commitment, and the way her players have represented Augustana College has been simply outstanding. So, we thank her for what she has done and wish her the best.”
A three-time NCC coach of the year – 1996, 1997, 2003 – and the 2000 Tachikara/American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) North Central Region coach of the year, Sudbeck coached eight AVCA All-Americans, including the 2000 National Player of the Year, Kari Peterson. In addition, she coached two NCC most valuable players – Ann Sieckert in 1996, and Sara Larson in 2003 – and three NCC freshmen of the year – Kari Peterson in 1998, Angie Hummel in 2002, and Andrea Oswald in 2003.
Sudbeck’s teams were consistently ranked in the AVCA Division II Top 25. Nine times in 13 seasons the Vikings finished the season ranked in the top 25, including a top 10 final ranking five times.
“Working here at Augustana has given me so many wonderful memories,” Sudbeck said. “I’ve had the chance to grow in my profession, but more importantly I’ve had the opportunity to love my job every day. I’ve been very lucky in that respect. But I feel now there are some new challenges that await me.”
Sudbeck graduated from Augustana in 1991 and was a member of the Viking softball team that won the NCAA Division II national championship in 1991. That year she was named to the Final Four all-tournament team.
Buckley joined the Viking coaching staff prior to the 2007 season after spending the 2006 campaign as an assistant coach at the University of Sioux Falls. As a team captain, she led the Penn State to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances, two Big Ten Conference titles and the 2003 NCAA Elite Eight. She holds the Penn State record for single season attempts (1,444), is ninth overall in career kills (1,340), and third in career attempts (3,733). During her collegiate career Penn State posted a record of 107-24.
A 2001 graduate of Sioux Falls Roosevelt High School, Buckley was the South Dakota Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior, and was selected to the Volleyball Magazine “Fab 50.”
“I feel very fortunate, being from Sioux Falls, to take over as head coach at Augustana College,” she said. “Everything has fallen into place and doors have opened. I couldn’t ask for a better opportunity, or a better school, to begin my head coaching career.
“I’ve had the opportunity to play for a lot of coaches and I’ve seen volleyball played at several different levels. I want to take that experience and create an environment here for our players to succeed. I want volleyball to be a valuable part of their college experience.”
Contact: Bruce Conley
Director of News Information
Phone: (605) 274-5526
Fax: (605) 274-4903
www.augie.edu