Athletic Administration | 6/1/2022 10:31:00 AM

Oklahoma Panhandle State University Head Volleyball Coach, Julie Allen, has made impressive accomplishments in her collegiate volleyball career. Recently, her team set the record for wins per season, wins against opponents, and consecutive wins. Allen is currently the Assistant Athletic Director and Head Volleyball Coach. She will be entering her third year as head coach with a last year's record of 21-11. Along with helping her student-athletes to All-Conferences, All-Region awards, NAIA All-American awards, and, All-Academic Awards, Allen has been presented the opportunity to work with the Men's and Women's Volleyball National Sitting Team.

The National Olympic Volleyball sitting team reached out to Coach Allen in early January to work with their team to assist and consult during training camps. Allen will travel to Edmond, Oklahoma, where their training site is, and assist their four-day team camps once a month. Allen shared, "I am very thankful for this opportunity. I am excited to get in the gym and work with our current Olympic athletes, coaches, and staff." Through Allen's time with Team USA, she was asked to assist with the Women's National Sitting Team. The two time Olympic Gold Medal Sitting Volleyball Team. Along with her work with Team USA, Allen will continue the great work at Panhandle State as the Head Volleyball Coach and Assistant Athletic Director. 

Recently, The USA Men's National Sitting Team asked Coach Allen to join the team in the Netherlands as team leader. Allen will join the team and staff for the Dutch Tournament in Stadsbroekhal Assen, Netherlands. The tournament begins on July 1st to the 3rd; Team USA will play two matches each day. Team USA will compete against Kazakhstan, Brazil, Great Britain, Germany and, Netherlands. All volleyball matches will be live streamed on YouTube, Dutch Tournament. 

Athletic Director, Victor Esparza shared, "Julie's volleyball knowledge is off the charts. She not only shows an incredible commitment to her student-athlete experience, knowledge of the game and brings passion to the game as well. I know, Julie will bring this to the National Sitting Teams as she did here to Panhandle State. I am excited for Julie, the opportunity, and the professional athletes who will be there with her."

Recently, Allen has also been offered the opportunity to lead the National Team Development Program (NTDP) for the U.S. Sitting Team. She will be the lead coach for the training camp in Edmond, Oklahoma, for upcoming Olympic athletes. The NTDP is a program that provides sitting volleyball players an increased opportunity to play with and against the best athletes across the country and learn from the best minds in the game. It is athlete-centered, focused on the overall development of each player, growth in skill, health, and well-being. The NTDP selects the athletes and coaches to train for our country.

Interim President, Dr. Ryan Blanton stated, "We are always excited for our coaches to grow professionally and could not be more proud of the work that Coach Allen has already done for the Panhandle State Volleyball team. I know she will be a great asset to the USA Team. It is true for our students, but for our coaches as well; Panhandle State is where legends are made."

History about the U.S. National Sitting Teams:

The U.S. Women's National Sitting Team is ranked number 1 globally and has dominated the world volleyball since capturing the gold in 2016. Since 2004, when the women's sitting team began, the women's team has captured a medal in every Paralympic Games. The Women's team medals in the 2020 Paralympic Games – Gold, 2021 Golden Nations League – Gold, and 2019 Parapan American Games – Gold. 

The U.S. Men's Sitting team has an OPSU alumnus on the team, J. Dee Marinko. Marinko played for two years for the Aggie Football team, thou it was cut short after being diagnosed with synovial sarcoma. Marinko joined the U.S. Sitting Team in the mid-2000s; his first appearance was in 2010 at the WOVD World Championships. And in 2015, Marinko was named USA Volleyball Male Sitting Player of the Year. 

Allen had the opportunity to work with Marinko for the past few training camps. She stated, "I was welcomed by the Men's National Team and coaches, and Marinko was one of the first to come up and introduce himself to me. It was an honor to meet an Aggie Alum; we reminisced his time here at Panhandle State."

In 2019, the U.S. Men's National Sitting Team at the Parapan American Games received silver, and in 2018 they were the Sitting World Championships.

Allen will be visiting Edmond a few more times to work with the Women's, Men's, and Development Program Teams before August. In addition, the Aggie Volleyball Team will arrive back in the Panhandle in early August to prepare for the season. 

The Aggie Volleyball Team will host the opening weekend for the Fall 2022 Season. August 19th and 20th, the Aggies will play two matches a day in Anchor D. Arena.