Kelly Richardson begins her first season as Director of the Midwest Xplosion Volleyball Club.
She enters her fifth season as head volleyball coach for the Southwest Baptist University Bearcat volleyball program. Richardson has guided the volleyball Bearcats to improved play in her first five seasons. Last season Coach Richardson lead the Bearcats to the most MIAA victories in school history (6) and currently ranks 3rd all-time for coaching wins. The 2009 Bearcats finished with 12-24 record, just one win shy the previous year. In 2008, the Bearcats improved to 13-20 overall and 5-15 in the MIAA after an 8-24/2-11 record in 2007. Over her first four years, Richardson has seen nine players receive All-MIAA honors, including junior Ashley Jurgensmeyer being named to the All-MIAA second team for the second straight season, and Brianna Wallace and Kylie Heim receiving All-MIAA honorable mention honors in 2010.
Richardson is no stranger to Southwest Missouri sports. She attended Willard schools from second grade until the completion of her high school degree. She began playing volleyball with USVBA in fifth grade, and after entering high school, Richardson joined Club Bear volleyball club where she played the duration of her club career. Richardson was a part of two Junior Olympic qualifying teams, and helped win two regional championships while playing for Club Bear.
Richardson was a two-sport athlete participating in volleyball and basketball. She was a three-year starter for the Willard High School volleyball team, and a four-year starter for the basketball team. Richardson received All-Conference, All-District, All-Ozarks, All-Region and All-State honors in volleyball her sophomore through senior years. She also received All-Conference and All-District honors in basketball her freshman through senior years.Richardson was a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and was the huddle president her senior year. She attended FCA leadership camps in Estes Park, Colo., and Siloam Springs, Ark., her sophomore and senior year. Richardson was also a member of the Honor Roll and National Honors Society.
After graduating high school, Richardson attended Missouri State University on a volleyball scholarship where she trained as a setter. After completing her 2000 season at MSU, she transferred to Evangel University where she continued to set and also played right side. Richardson broke six school records while attending Evangel, and was the first player in school history to be named a volleyball All-American. Richardson was also named All-Conference and All-Region all three years at Evangel, and was named National Player of the Week three times in her EU years. Richardson graduated from Evangel with her B.S. in physical education and a health minor.
After graduating from Evangel, Richardson became the head volleyball coach at Republic High School where she led her first team to third place in the Missouri State Championships. This was Republic’s first district win in school history, and first time at the Missouri state tournament. Richardson had two All-State players, and sent four players from her ’05 squad on to play college volleyball. Republic made it to the district semifinals in ’06 after graduating six players from their ’05 team. Richardson had players attend Missouri Southern State University, Drury University and College of the Ozarks.
Richardson was born on June 20th, 1982 in Springfield, Mo., to John and Julie Hartley. She is married to Robb Richardson of Arlington, Washington on July 25th, 2003. Robb was a three-sport All-State player in football, basketball and track. He attended Eastern Washington University in 1999 before transferring to Evangel in 2001. Robb was a football All-American at Evangel, and a member of two top 10 nationally-ranked teams. Kelly is currently working on her graduate degree in education at Southwest Baptist. When she was hired, Kelly Richardson commented: “I grew up coming to this campus for church, basketball and volleyball camps. I am extremely honored that God has brought me back to continue my coaching career.”
Bio and Picture from www.SBUBearcats.com
