Kathy Allen, kathy.allen@bakeru.edu

Entering her eleventh season at the helm of the Baker volleyball program, Kathy Allen has established herself as one of the most successful coaches in Baker volleyball history.  Allen inherited the Wildcat team in 1998 and quickly turned the team into a perpetual conference contender.   In 2006, Allen achieved the career milestone of 200 victories and currently has a record of 208 – 133 (winning percentage of .609). In this upcoming year, Allen looks to surpass the 250 victories mark.  The Wildcats consistently finish in the top 3 each year in the tough Heart of America Conference. 2007 netted a 6–4 record. The team also earned a trip to the regional tournament for the fourth time and placed 4th.

During her tenure at Baker Allen has coached three All-Americans and numerous players to region and conference honors.  Her players also excel in the classroom, having had 10 players recognized as All-American Scholar Athletes. 

Prior to her time at Baker, Allen served as the interim head coach at Washburn University in Topeka Kansas.  Additionally she served as a graduate assistant coach at Emporia State University.  Allen also coached high school volleyball at St. Mary’s High School prior to entering the college ranks. 

Allen has amassed many years of service in club volleyball dating back to 1989 when she was directly responsible for the formation of the Topeka Juniors Volleyball club.  Allen served as director and member of the board for over 10 years, helping guide the club to two national championships and recognition as one of the premier clubs in Kansas. Allen received USAV’s Meritorious Service Award in 1996 in recognition of her achievements in the club ranks.

Along with her coaching duties, Allen also serves as an assistant professor at Baker in the physical education department teaching courses in Motor Learning, Sport Psychology and Coaching Theory.  Allen is a graduate of Emporia State University and is currently working on her doctoral dissertation at the University of Kansas. 

Allen has three children and resides in Lawrence.  

Matt Windle begins his second year on the BU staff after spending the previous 11 years at Lawrence Free State High School.

During his tenure at Free State Matt coached 18 players who went on to play at the college level.  As a Junior Varsity coach he logged five league titles in seven years including a stretch of 3 in a row. His work work with LFSHS Varsity has produced a 2nd place and 4th place finish in state with numerous sub-state titles.            

The Littleton Colorado native's graduated in 1999 with a BGS in English from University of Kansas. In his time at KU Matt played men’s club volleyball one year, and has played adult volleyball for ten years as an AA/A player finishing first in the region five times, and placing in the top 15 in the nation twice. Matt is continuing his education seeking an MLA in literature.