MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois Athletics announced the hiring of April Hall as head volleyball coach. Director of Athletics Dr. Tim Van Alstine announced the hire on Monday (Feb. 20).

Hall spent last year as an assistant coach at Northern Kentucky University as the Norse currently make the transition from NCAA Division II to Division I. NKU went 26-6 last year and advanced to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament.

"We are very excited to have April Hall leading our volleyball program. We were very impressed with the quality of the applications but April proved to be exactly what our volleyball program needed. She has an impressive record of coaching success at highest levels of volleyball at both NCAA Division I and Division II institutions," said Van Alstine. "All those who met with April were impressed by her knowledge of volleyball and her confidence and ability to recruit student-athletes who will succeed in classroom and on the court."

She worked with all aspects of the NKU volleyball program, including: scheduling, budget management, recruiting, fundraising, academic progress and game planning. Following the 2011 season NKU had five student-athletes earn All-Great Lakes Valley Conference honors, three All-Region and three All-Americans selections.

During the 2010 season she served as a volunteer assistant coach at Ohio State University. The Buckeyes finished 24-12 and advanced to the 'Sweet Sixteen' of the NCAA Division I Tournament. Hall also coordinated various camps during her time at OSU.

"I would like to thank (Director of Athletics) Dr. Tim Van Alstine, (Senior Associate Director of Athletics) Josh Moon and (Assistant Director of Athletics for Academic Services) Lisa Melz-Jennings for placing their confidence in me to take over the Fighting Leatherneck volleyball program," said Hall. "Western Illinois volleyball has the key pieces needed in order to compete for The Summit League championship, which will be our goal as a unit every year. I am looking forward to working with the student-athletes and developing a successful program both on and off the court.

"I would also like to thank the administration at Northern Kentucky, specifically Dr. Scott Eaton and head coach Liz Holmes, my student-athletes and other key members of the NKU staff that offered me their support this past year," Hall continued. "It is with their support, and also the support of head coach Geoff Carlston of The Ohio State University, that I feel prepared to lead my own program."

From 2007 until leaving for the NKU job she was the OSU women's volleyball club head coach. Hall's teams advanced to the nationals three consecutive years - a fifth place finish as the NCCS nationals in 2009, runner-up finish in 2010 at the NCVF national championships, and fifth place finish at the NCVF in 2011. Her 2009 club team took second in the DII Big Ten Tournament.

Hall was the assistant coach at Ohio Wesleyan during the 2008 and 2009 seasons. She recruited and coached the NCAC Newcomer of the Year in 2008. Hall worked at Olentangy High School (2006-08) as the freshman head coach and assistant varsity coach. She coached the 16-1 open team with the Blackswamp Volleyball Club to the nationals. She also worked three years with the Premier Volleyball Club in Ohio.

A 2006 graduate of Tiffin University, Hall earned her bachelor's degree in psychology graduating Cum Laude with a 3.54 GPA. She is working towards her masters degree in general mental health counseling.

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