LEBANON, Ill. – Director of Volleyball Nickie Sanlin is pleased to announce the fourth head coach in the Division II era of Bearcat Women's Volleyball. After conducting a nationwide search, Miranda Rodriguez becomes the new leader of the Women's Volleyball program. She will also take over duties as the assistant to the Men's Volleyball program.
"I am beyond excited for the opportunity to be back in the GLVC after my time in the MIAA. This conference has grown and become stronger during my time away," said Rodriguez. "I am happy that I will be part of this new evolution of McKendree Volleyball and cannot thank Nickie Sanlin and Anthony Francis for their support."
Rodriguez has been the assistant coach at Pittsburg State University (Kan.) for the past four seasons. While with the Gorillas, she helped them to three MIAA Conference tournament appearances. She also helped to develop six different All-MIAA selections. On top of the accolades, Rodriguez led recruiting efforts and more importantly checked in on her student athletes' well-being and mental health.
Along with being an assistant at PSU, she has been the Club MVP Volleyball Head Coach since November of 2020. In her duties as the head coach, she has trained the U15 and U17 age-level teams. He team qualified for the Heart of America Powerleague in 2022 and 2023.
"After an extensive search, I am thrilled to introduce Miranda Rodriguez as the next head coach of the women's volleyball program. We have found a knowledgeable and passionate individual that embodies the culture and values here at McKendree University," said Sanlin. "Miranda's enthusiasm for Division II athletics and appreciation of how that experience has shaped her vision is something that I am grateful for as she embarks on the next evolution of McKendree Volleyball. I look forward to seeing the impact she will make on our men's and women's programs as another strong leader and mentor for our athletes."
Before becoming the assistant at PSU, Rodriguez served as the Graduate Assistant at Washburn University from July 2018 to May 2020. She assisted the head coach to a Central Regional championship in 2018 and a NCAA DII Final Four appearance.
No stranger to the Great Lakes Valley Conference, she was a four-year starter as the setter with the Quincy University Hawks from 2014-2017.
Rodriguez graduated from QU in 2018 with a Bachelor's degree in Sports Management. She then obtained her Master's Degree in Communication and Leadership from Washburn University in May of 2020.
