MSUM promotes Thompson to head volleyball coach

Minnesota State University Moorhead has found its new head volleyball coach. Athletics Director Chad Markuson announced the promotion of Kari Thompson from assistant coach to head coach.

She takes over for former head coach Bob Jones who announced his retirement earlier this month. Thompson was the Dragons assistant coach for the past two seasons and is now the seventh head coach in program history.

Thompson voiced her excitement of being named the new head coach saying, "I would like to thank Chad Markuson and President Anne Blackhurst for entrusting me with the future of our volleyball program.” She continued, "MSUM has strong academic opportunities and is a part of a great community that loves volleyball. We compete in a top volleyball conference and we get to work with other committed and passionate people every day, how lucky am I?"

Before being named the MSUM head volleyball coach, Thompson coached for 18 seasons between her time as an assistant and head coach. From 2006-10 she was an assistant at North Dakota State, then from the midway point of 2010 she took over as head coach of the Bison. She served in that role until 2017. Thompson was then the head coach at Southern Illinois from 2017-18.

The Dragons are returning 10 players from the 2022 team, including welcoming in seven freshmen for the 2023 season. MSUM also has one junior college transfer joining the team.