Alex Courtney to Take Reins of Panhandle State Volleyball

GOODWELL, Okla. Oklahoma Panhandle State University Athletics is excited to announce the addition of Alex Courtney as the next head volleyball coach for the Aggies.

Courtney brings to the court a wealth of experience, most recently having served as the head coach at Minot State University, which competes at the NCAA Division II level in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.

"I'm excited to be joining OPSU Athletics and leading the Aggie Volleyball program," Courtney said. "I greatly respect the success the team earned this past season, and it's my goal to continue fostering a competitive program culture. I want to thank everyone who helped make this transition possible and OPSU for welcoming me into their community."

Courtney's path to Panhandle State has seen her reach incredible highs as both a decorated athlete and winning coach. Her expertise also earned her the trust of Minot State's administration to lead a volleyball program through adversity in a tough conference one that routinely sends a team to the NCAA Division II Championship Match while boasting several ranked programs.

A Montana native, Courtney was a multi-sport athlete at Wolf Point High School, where she was both a three-time first-team all-conference honoree and a three-time All-State performer in volleyball.

She went on to play collegiately at Montana Tech University, before wrapping up her undergraduate days at Johnson & Wales University-Denver, where Courtney played volleyball and basketball. There, she graduated with honors for her degree in nutrition with a concentration in women's health.

After obtaining her master's degree in sports management from Minot State, Courtney spent four years as an assistant varsity volleyball coach for Sentinel High School in Missoula, Montana, helping lead the team to a 58-26 record and four state tournament appearances. Courtney also served as an assistant girls' basketball coach, helping Sentinel to a pair of state tournament berths.

Courtney then joined the volleyball coaching staff at Minot State in April 2022. During her second season with the Beavers, she was vaulted into an interim head coaching role for the final 11 matches of 2023. Courtney retained that role for the 2024 season, during which the interim tag was removed, and she remained Minot State's head volleyball coach through 2025.

"We could not be more excited to welcome Alex into the Aggie family," Director of Athletics, Victor Esparza said. "Her vast expertise, commitment and passion for developing student-athletes will be paramount to sustaining a volleyball program that our University body and alumni can be proud of."

Courtney is set to immediately assume the reins of an OPSU program coming off its most successful season in years, one that included the team's first win ever in the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament.