Wright State’s volleyball team has finally found a new head coach. After Susan Clements contract was not renewed, the Wright State Athletic Department quickly began a nationwide search for a new coach. This search led to the hiring of Allie Matters, who was an assistant coach at Seton Hall.
Matters was recognized both as a high caliber coach, as well as a standout athlete during her college career. Matters played for the Seton Hall Pirates from 2006 to 2009 and during this stint she racked up various records. She currently ranks fourth and sixth on Seton Hall's records for single-season digs and third for career digs.
On the coaching side, Matters was named an AVCA 30-for-30 Candidate. This recognizes the nation's top 30 coaches less than 30 years of age. In 2014, Matters helped lead Seton Hall to arguably its most-successful season in program history. The Pirates improved by 12 victories from the previous season and finished with a 28-8 overall record, the second-most wins ever at Seton Hall.
For Matters, leaving behind her alma mater was a very difficult decision.
“I had an amazing playing career there and coaching at my alma mater has been an honor. I value many friendships at Seton Hall that I am sad to leave behind, but I was treated like family by the staff at Wright State as soon as I arrived.”
Her plan at Wright State speaks of longevity and strengthening the foundation of Wright State volleyball.
“Moving into this position, my immediate goals are to get to know the student-athletes as people, begin to rebuild the culture, and start recruiting future Raiders. Long term, build a program that consistently competes in the top half of the Horizon League,”
Matters cites her passion and experience as reasons for her confidence that she can lead WSU volleyball to where it needs to be.
“My passion as a student-athlete and my years as an assistant have prepared me for this step. I want to use the knowledge from those experiences to get this volleyball program back on it's feet. I have always had a passion for the sport and for mentoring young women to prepare them for life after college. It is not a responsibility I take lightly.”
With a new coach, the Raiders will look to improve from an 11-18 overall record last season. This included a 5-11 record in the Horizon League.
