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A three-time college women’s volleyball conference coach of the year will lead the newly formed men’s volleyball program at Kentucky State.
Kentucky State announced on Tuesday that the school’s women’s volleyball head coach DiShondra Goree will also serve as the inaugural head coach of the Thorobreds men’s volleyball team.
Goree in her inaugural season at Kentucky State guided the women’s volleyball team to a winning record and the 2018 SIAC Tournament finals. In addition, Kentucky State enters the 2019 season with two starters earning preseason all-conference honors.
Before arriving to Kentucky State, Goree in a three-year span turned around Shaw University from finishing 1-19 to winning the 2016 conference championship and earning the program’s first berth to the NCAA Tournament. She also was named the CIAA Coach of the Year in three seasons and coached eight players to all-conference honors.
This will be Goree’s first time in her collegiate coaching career overseeing a men’s volleyball team. As a native Fort Wayne, Indiana, though, Goree grew up in a community steeped in men’s volleyball history.
“What a great opportunity for Kentucky State to jump into what is the fastest growing team sport in the United States for boys. I grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where boys’ volleyball was prominent and we all knew Lloy Ball and programs like IPFW,” Goree said in a statement. “I am thankful to Director Thomas in having faith in me to lead volleyball here at Kentucky State. I look forward to putting a product on the floor that everyone will be proud of.”
Kentucky State is one of six Historical Black Colleges and Universities from the SIAC that announced this week it will start a men’s volleyball program for the 2021 season.
The Thorobreds as part of a $1 million grant to the SIAC from USA Volleyball and First Point Volleyball Foundation will receive $150,000 to start the new program.