Alyssa Taylor Promoted to Associate Head Volleyball Coach

SAINT PETER, Minn. – Alyssa Taylor ’16, the assistant volleyball coach at Gustavus since 2018, has been promoted to Associate Head Coach of the program.

“Alyssa has had significant responsibilities as assistant coach for our program over the past four years and she has more than earned the promotion to Associate Head Coach,” Head Coach Rachelle Sherden said. “She has assisted in all aspects of running our program and also serves as our recruiting coordinator and will continue to do so. Our student-athletes have the utmost respect for Alyssa because simply put, she makes them better volleyball players and better people and cares deeply for all of them.”

Taylor has helped coach the Gusties to MIAC regular season championships, MIAC playoff championships, and NCAA tournament appearances in both 2018 and 2021. Since Taylor joined the coaching staff in 2018, the Gusties have amassed a 72-27 overall record and are 30-6 in the MIAC. She has coached two All-Americans, two MIAC Players of the Year, two MIAC Defensive Players of the Year, six All-Region Team members, and nine All-Conference Team members.

“It is certainly humbling to get this promotion,” Taylor said. “I have always said that there is something different about Gustavus and in my opinion, what makes it special are the people. This reinforces the value of the people you surround yourself with. Going to work each day with people who are on the same mission and share the same values as you is rewarding. I look forward to continuing to work alongside the outstanding coaches, administration, and student-athletes at Gustavus. I am especially grateful to Ro and [Athletic Director] Tom Brown for giving me this opportunity.”

Taylor was a three-year starter for the Gustavus volleyball team from 2013-15 where she had a decorated career. The Trimont, Minn. native earned Third Team All-America and MIAC Player of the Year her senior season. After graduating from Gustavus in 2016, Taylor spent two years at the University of South Carolina as a graduate assistant and director of beach volleyball operations. 

The Gusties begin the 2022 season on Sept. 2-3 at the Ithaca Bomber Invitational in Ithaca, N.Y.