Alicia Williams Named Head Coach at Bradley University
PEORIA, Ill. – Iowa Western Volleyball Coach Alicia Williams was announced today as the new head coach of the Bradley University Braves, becoming the 10th head coach in their program history.
"I am excited for Coach Williams to be able to move up to the next level and want to thank her for her years of service to Iowa Western and the program that she has built," said Iowa Western President Dr. Dan Kinney. "With this announcement, we will meet in the next couple of days to begin our search for our next Head Volleyball Coach. With our reputation and success, I feel that within a few weeks we will name our new coach to continue the winning tradition of Reiver Volleyball that Coach Williams built!"
A former Reiver player and assistant, Coach Williams spent nine seasons at the helm of the program after being named to the post in 2013. Williams compiled a record of 335-44, winning back-to-back NJCAA National Championships in the 2021 Spring and Fall seasons. Her teams won nine Region XI titles, eight District titles, and earned nine NJCAA national tournament berths. The 2021 Fall championship team became the first at-large bid team in NJCAA history to win the national title.
"We want to wish Coach Williams continued success at Bradley University. She has built a legacy here at Iowa Western and I am sure she will do the same at the next level," said Iowa Western Athletic Director Shane Larson. "During her time as a Reiver she has developed her program into the top junior college volleyball team in the country. We are sad to see her leave but we are excited to see her progress at the next level."
In addition to back-to-back titles, her teams have three seasons of 40 or more wins, eight seasons of 30 or more victories, a national runner-up finish in 2016, a third-place finish in 2018, three fifth-place finishes, and two seventh-place finishes at nationals. Her 2014 squad owns the school record for fewest losses in a season with just two.
As a player, Williams enrolled at Iowa Western in 2006, helping the Reivers capture the school's first-ever team national title that still holds the record for victories in a season with 60. In addition to her efforts on the court, Williams also excelled in the classroom as an NJCAA All-Academic performer and an Iowa Western Presidential Scholar. After completing her degree at Iowa Western, Williams transferred to Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, competing in 2009 and 2010 after redshirting in 2008. As a redshirt junior in 2009, she ranked 3rd on the team in kills. Coach Williams finished her playing career as a team captain for the Bluejays, leading the squad in kills and points, en route to the program's first-ever appearance in the NCAA tournament.
Williams' players have excelled on and off of the court as well, as 19 athletes have earned NJCAA All-American status. In addition, 48 players have earned NJCAA All-Academic honors and Coach Williams has sent 52 players on to four-year programs, including Alissa Schovanec to Bradley University in 2017.
Two former players have also come back to coach under Williams, Dayana Acevedo from 2016-2021, and Alyssa Jeffrey in 2021.
Having spent 13 years at Iowa Western as head coach, assistant coach, or student-athlete, Williams has been a part of 543 victories (543-65) with the Reivers and all three national titles.
"Alicia's strong track record of competitive success and demonstrated ability to develop student-athletes on and off the court made her the clear choice from a deep and very talented pool of candidates," said Bradley Director of Athletics Dr. Chris Reynolds. "We welcome Alicia, her husband, Aaron, and their children Sam and Levi to the Bradley Athletics Family."