Tech Names Kissiar-Knight as New Volleyball Coach
December 23, 2008 | Women's Volleyball
Dec. 23, 2008
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - Texas Tech athletic director Gerald Myers has announced the hiring of Trish Kissiar-Knight, who has a career winning percentage of .804, as the new volleyball coach for Texas Tech University.
"We held a national search to fill our volleyball head coaching position and interviewed four quality individuals. Trish Kissiar-Knight was selected out of this outstanding group." Texas Tech athletic director Gerald Myers stated. "We felt Trish was a great fit for our program. She is a proven coach on both the high school and junior college levels and we are excited to have someone of her experience and accomplishments to lead our program. We think she will be a great fit for Texas Tech and the Lubbock community."
Kissiar-Knight has spent the last 15 years at Missouri State-West Plains and compiled an impressive record of 645-156-3. She led her squad to 11 NJCAA national tournament appearances and was named regional coach of the year 11 times, most recently in November of 2008. Kissiar-Knight was twice named national coach of the year and has coached 23 NJCAA All-Americans during her 15-year stay at Missouri State-West Plains.
"I am so excited, I think this is a really great place to develop a program. I am pleased to have the opportunity to be the person to develop the program." Trish Kissiar-Knight said. "When I came to Lubbock it felt like home and I am just excited to be a part of the Red Raider program."
Before Missouri State-West Plains, Kissiar-Knight coached at the high school level leading the West Plains High School to four-straight state championships. She has served as coordinator of the Junior Olympic volleyball program and is very active and respected in the American Volleyball Coaches Association.
Kissiar-Knight played four years at the former Southwest Missouri State University and was inducted into the SMSU Athletic Hall of Fame. Her former coach Linda Dollar, a volleyball hall of fame member, said of Kissiar-Knight, "Trish was a real student of the game and had a tremendous work interest in volleyball as a student-athelete. She was a very competitive athlete and has carried that into her coaching philosophy."
Former coaches have already praised the hiring of Kissiar-Knight.
Former Nebraska head volleyball coach Terry Pettit said, "I have always admired Trish Knight's vision and toughness, a combination that has served her well as a head volleyball coach and will serve as a foundation for the program that she will build at Texas Tech. Make room because the Big 12 and Texas Tech just landed a great program builder."
Current Iowa State coach Christy Johnson echoed the praise. "I have always been impressed with her integrity and work ethic. She gets the best out of her players. It is a big step up, but I have no doubt that she will do a great job."