The UMSL women’s volleyball team celebrates winning the Midwest Region Championship last season. (Photo: Thomas Grove)

Nora Nichols
Staff Writer

NORMANDY, MO — The University of Missouri-St. Louis athletics department announced late Wednesday that head volleyball coach, Ryan Young had signed a contract extension keeping him on the Tritons’ sidelines through the end of the 2028 season.

Young finished his 13th season at the helm for UMSL last fall. He owns a career record of 264-132 (.667) at UMSL, which includes five seasons of at least 20 wins in the last seven years.

He’s led the program to back-to-back NCAA Midwest Region championships and two appearances in the national semifinals. His teams have averaged nearly 26 wins per season over the past five years and have made the NCAA Tournament four straight years.

“Coach Young has created and built a tremendous volleyball program during his tenure at UMSL, Director of Athletics Lori Flanagan said. “His ability to identify and develop talent, play a highly competitive schedule and have success are key factors that we want to continue to support. We cannot be more pleased to have him remain a cornerstone of our department.”

UMSL women’s volleyball coach, Ryan Young. (Photo courtesy: UMSL Athletics)

With Young at the helm, seven players have earned All-America accolades, including Charlotte Richards, Caitlin Bishop and Delaney Humm who were first team selections, while nine players have earned all-region honors. 16 players have received All-GLVC honors including two Players of the Year (Richards and Bishop) and one Libero of the Year (Megan Woll).

Young’s teams have also qualified for the GLVC Tournament in all but two seasons and have posted a winning record in 10 of 13 seasons.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to lead the volleyball program here at the University of Missouri St. Louis,” Young said. “We have built a great culture with many great student athletes.

“I look forward to recruiting quality student athletes to represent our institution. Thank you to our administration for believing in me and supporting our program.”

Young and the Tritons are coming of a 34-2 record in 2023 in which they won their first 30 matches to begin the season, won their second straight Midwest Region title, achieved its highest ever national ranking at No. 2 and finished the season ranked fifth in the final AVCA Coaches Poll.