Kelly Bethke has been named the head volleyball coach at Augustana; it was announced today by Mike Zapolski, director of athletics. Bethke, who will become the 11^th head coach in this history of the program, succeeds Jamie Eickman, who resigned during the 2013 season.
 
"I am thrilled to be the head volleyball coach at Augustana and I will work extremely hard to continue to move this program in the right direction," said Bethke.  "I am honored to work at a college that has a history of high academic and athletic success.  I would like to thank President Steve Bahls and Athletic Director Mike Zapolski for this wonderful opportunity."  
 
Bethke comes to Augustana with a wealth of volleyball experience. She spent the last seven seasons as the assistant coach at Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin. While at Edgewood she helped the Eagles win back-to-back championships in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference in 2012 and 2013 as well as an NCAA Division III tournament berth in 2011. This past season Edgewood went 26-8 overall and won the NACC regular season title before falling in the championship game of the conference tournament.
 
"Kelly's previous experience as a high school head coach and most recently as an assistant coach at Edgewood will serve her well as she transitions to the program at Augustana," said Zapolski. "Our volleyball program has improved its level of competitiveness the past two seasons, and Kelly's leadership, people skills and technical knowledge will help us continue that positive trend."
 
Bethke is a1999 graduate of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a major in kinesiology/physical education and she also attended Wisconsin-Stout. She has a Master's of Education from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse (2004) and she received her health education certification from UW-Stout in 2008. She also has an adaptive physical education license from Wisconsin-Stevens Point (1999) and while a student at UW-Stout she served as an athletic trainer.
 
A physical education and adaptive physical education teacher in the Monona Grove school district since 1999, Bethke was the head volleyball coach for the Silver Eagles until 2007. She compiled an overall record of 111-78 and led her team to the Badger Conference title in 2003.
 
She joined the staff at Edgewood in 2007 and during her time with the Eagles helped the program become a power in the NACC.  Bethke was a three sport athlete at Mondovi (Wisconsin) High School and played on the women's basketball team at UW-Stout during her undergraduate years. She also coached high school basketball in addition to her volleyball duties.