Missy Soboleski, Head Volleyball Coach

Edinboro University President Dr. Frank G. Pogue announced the hiring of Missy Soboleski as head volleyball coach on February 3, 2005. Soboleski replaced Dale Flickinger, who was hired on an interim basis last summer to replace Lynn Theehs, who went to the University of Maine.

Soboleski is well-known in local volleyball circles. She has previously coached at two local institutions, Mercyhurst and Gannon. She took over the Edinboro program after serving as the head coach at Mercyhurst from 1999-2004. At Mercyhurst, She inherited a volleyball program that had not had a winning season since 1993, had won only five games in four years in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), and had recorded just 26 wins in five previous seasons. She proceeded to lead the Lady Lakers to three winning seasons in six years at the helm, including a 21-8 finish in 2002, winning the Southern Division championship. The 2001 team went 19-16, and her 2003 team was 16-15.

Prior to taking over at Mercyhurst, Soboleski spent four seasons as the head coach at her alma mater, Gannon, where she was previously a standout player. Her 1995-98 Lady Knight editions reached the GLIAC Playoffs twice, including a 21-14 record in her first season, with Gannon reaching the NCAA Division II Playoffs. Soboleski's final team was 18-16 and qualified for the GLIAC Playoffs. She was an assistant coach under Gerry (Burbules) Vensel, a member of the Edinboro Athletic Hall of Fame, in 1994.

"It has always been our intention to keep Edinboro University volleyball in the forefront of the PSAC and the region," related Director of Athletics Bruce Baumgartner. "We think coach Soboleski has what it takes to continue Edinboro University's winning tradition. We feel our program is in very good hands. Missy brings a great deal of energy and experience to our program, and she is very familiar with what Edinboro volleyball represents. We also like the fact that she enjoyed an excellent graduation rate at Mercyhurst."

A native of Ravenna, Ohio, Soboleski graduated from Gannon in 1993 with bachelor's degree in Education and a minor in Sports Management and Health & Physical Education. A four-year letterwinner for the Lady Knights from 1990 to 1993, Gannon was 116-22 during that period. That included three straight trips to the Elite Eight to conclude her playing career.

Soboleski enjoyed a distinguished career as a player, serving as a co-captain in 1993. The outside hitter earned a spot on the Hamot Classic All-Tournament team as a senior, then capped her career by earning All-Tournament accolades in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional. She totaled 14 kills and 16 digs in the regional final win over Slippery Rock, propelling Gannon to its third straight trip to the Elite Eight.

Soboleski and her husband, Mark, reside in Edinboro, with their three children - Madison (age 5) and twins Braeden and Abigale (2). While at Gannon she also served as the SWA/Assistant Athletic Director. Mark is the head football coach at Central High School and a teacher in the Millcreek School District.

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