January 30, 2008
Oklahoma Baptist University has hired former Big XII co-Libero of the Year Anna Monsen as its head volleyball coach.
Monsen, who played four seasons at the University of Oklahoma, will rebuild the program at OBU, which has been dormant since 1987. OBU started volleyball in 1975, but the program was discontinued after the 1987 season.
Monsen, who is working on her master's degree at OU, has served as head coach at Carl Albert High School since April, 2007, leading the team to its first state tournament appearance. She also coached the Sooner Volleyball Club (13-year-olds) in Norman for two seasons.
"Recruiting is the first thing I need to get to work on, but I also want to get to know the university and the people here," said Monsen, who officially begins at OBU Feb. 1. "I don't know a lot about OBU, coming from Wisconsin, but the people here are really friendly and helpful."
While at OU, Monsen was Academic All-Big XII from 2004-06 and Co-Libero of the Year in 2006. She was OU's Most Improved Player in 2004. Monsen also ran track for the Sooners for one season, earning All-Conference honors in the heptathlon.
"We're excited to have her here at OBU and look forward to her resurrecting the volleyball program," said Dr. Norris Russell, OBU director of athletics. "She's young, but she already has some coaching experience behind her."
Monsen has been around volleyball her entire life. Her mother, Kim, was coaching volleyball when Anna was born and took no time off during that season.
"I grew up in the gym," said Monsen. "I'm a major gym rat. My mother was my coach in high school and I loved it."
Monsen played at Stoughton High School in Wisconsin, where she was the school's all-time leader in assists.
Volleyball is a rising sport in the Sooner Athletic Conference with John Brown, Lubbock Christian, Oklahoma City, St. Gregory's, Southern Nazarene and Wayland Baptist currently participating, along with new member Mid-America Christian coming on board last fall.