East OKC News

Julie Allen announced her departure after three years as the Oklahoma Panhandle State University Head Volleyball Coach and Assistant Athletic Director.

As the head coach, Allen has successfully guided the volleyball program into a top premier program in the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC). In 2020, the volleyball team finished 5-1 (the season stopped due to Covid), then resumed in the Spring of 2021. The Aggies completed the season 15-7 and went into the SAC Conference Tournament seeded 7th. The Aggies had 3 SAC All-Conference players guided by Coach Allen; Essence West, Celenia Toribio, and Ana Pimenta. West was honored with NAIA All-Region 1st team and NAIA All-American. In 2021, the team improved their overall record to 20-11 and made a repeat trip to the conference tournament, seeded 6th. Again, the Aggies had 3 SAC All-Conference players, Essence West, Lesly Galarza, and Alanys Ruiz. West was named NAIA All-Region and NAIA All-American. In 2022, the volleyball program finished the season 20-11, getting 4th in SAC. The Aggies completed the SAC Conference with 4 SAC All-Conference student-athletes, Essence West, Lesly Galarza, Gracie Soza, and Joelle LaForce.

Athletic Director Victor Esparza stated, "Coach Allen has led our volleyball team to many successes. The volleyball program under her guidance has grown to become one of the toughest teams to compete against in the Sooner Athletic Conference. The team continues to reach new levels of achievements on the volleyball court and in the classroom."

Esparza continued, "I wish Coach Allen the very best and thank her for her time as an Aggie. She will be greatly missed, and we wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors."

While Coach Allen was an Aggie, she was given the opportunity to be an assistant coach for the USA Men's National Sitting Volleyball Team. As a result, coach Allen traveled to the Netherlands this past June/July 2022 with the team and finished 4th in the international tournament. She continues in this role.

Allen stated, "The decision to step down as the Head Volleyball Coach at Panhandle State was a very difficult decision. However, the past three seasons have been filled with incredible moments and unforgettable achievements. I am proud of what we have accomplished together, and I am confident that this program will continue to thrive and achieve great success in the future."

The national search will begin immediately. Inquiries can reach out to Athletic Director Victor Esparza at coachvic@opsu.edu. All applicants will need to complete an online application

Original source can be found here