NACOGDOCHES, Tex. — As announced by the Stephen F. Austin University Athletic Department, Saint Mary's Alumna Madi Wilkerson has been named the SFA Head Beach Volleyball Coach. Wilkerson will retain an assistant coaching role for the indoor program while serving as the Head Coach for the beach program.
Wilkerson was a standout libero and beach player over her four seasons in Moraga. On the hardwood, Wilkerson reached 1190 digs (6th most in program history), averaging 3.64 digs per set (2nd best in program history). On the beach, Wilkerson helped lead the Gaels into prominence, taking them from four team wins in her freshman campaign, to a combined 53 over the next three seasons.
About her time in Moraga, Wilkerson noted:
"My time at Saint Mary's is the most cherished time of my life. Moraga is a very special place with many amazing people, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to have been a student-athlete at Saint Mary's. I will forever hold everything I learned from my coaches and teammates near and dear to my heart. Those relationships and my overall experience as a Gael are what made me want to get into college coaching. Gaels Woo!"
Following her time at Saint Mary's, Wilkerson earned her master's degree at Southern Methodist University, where she served as a graduate assistant in 2018 and 2019. She followed up her time with SMU as the Director of Volleyball Operations and Technical Coordinator at Auburn for two seasons. In her first season as an assistant for the indoor squad at SFA, the Jacks went 26-5 and won the WAC Tournament.
About Wilkerson, Saint Mary's Volleyball Head Coach Rob Browning stated:
"Madi is a treasured alumna of SMCVB and I couldn't be more excited for her to have this new opportunity in her coaching career. She has sought out opportunities to become a fantastic coach, and it has prepared her well for this new position at SFA. Madi was an outstanding indoor and beach player for Saint Mary's and I'm so happy to see her dedication and excellence as a Gael student-athlete transfer to being an outstanding coach for her student-athletes at Stephen F. Austin."
#GaelsRise
