CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois Director of Athletics Tom Michael has announced the hiring of Sara Thomas as the 13th head coach of the Panthers volleyball program.
Thomas brings a successful pedigree as not only an NCAA Division I player but also as a high school and collegiate coach over the past ten years.
She comes to EIU following two-seasons as an assistant coach at Missouri State. She was hired in February of 2018 and helped the Bears post their 19th straight winning season that fall. She helped coach five players to All-Missouri Valley Conference honors and this past season had an expanded leadership role following the resignation of Missouri State’s head coach just prior to the season.
Prior to her time at Missouri State, Thomas was a successful high school coach at Belleville Althoff Catholic High School ending her prep coaching career with the IHSA Class 3A State title in 2017 with a 41-1 record. She coached seven seasons at Belleville Althoff from 2011-2017 placing third in the state in 2016 (Class 2A) with additional deep runs into the state playoffs in 2011 and 2015.
At the prep level she developed ten players that went on to play college volleyball, five all-state selections, three conference players of the year, numerous all-conference selections and was twice named the Coach of the Year.
“We are excited to welcome Sara to Eastern Illinois and feel that she will be a tremendous fit for our volleyball program,” said Michael. “During the interview process it was apparent that she has great respect for the student-athlete experience and a vision for how that should be incorporated into the program. Sara brings with her a great track record of developing players both at the high school and college level that will benefit Panther volleyball.”
As a student-athlete herself, Thomas had success at Missouri State helping take the Bears to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances including advancing to the second round in 2006. She was the Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year as a senior in 2007 while also earning first-team All-MVC honors. She had season averages of 3.2 kills on .279 hitting, 3.45 digs and 1.23 blocks per set as a senior. She finished her Missouri State career with 797 kills, 1,117 digs, 316 blocks and 288 assists in 131 matches.
Thomas earned her degree from Missouri State in 2009. She has two daughters, Emma and Charlotte.
“It is a honor to be selected as the Head Volleyball Coach at Eastern Illinois University. A heartfelt thank you to President David Glassman, Athletic Director Tom Michael, Senior Associate AD Mark Bonnstetter, and the members of the hiring committee for trusting me to lead Panther Volleyball,” said Thomas. “I am so excited to work with our student athletes as we take the program to the next level.”
