A former volleyball player and Missouri Western graduate, Marian Carbin ’07, was named head volleyball coach in fall 2013.
“Griffon volleyball has been an important part of my past, and I’m excited to explore the possibilities that it holds for my future,” Carbin said. “I know that our program is eager to move forward and make progress in all areas.”
Marian Carbin ’07
In her first season at the helm, Carbin helped the volleyball team enjoy their first winning record since 2006. Making the feat more impressive was the fact the team lost two of their best players during the season – senior setter Stephanie Hattey left the team to focus on her academics and sophomore outside hitter Jessie Thorup suffered a season-ending knee injury at midseason.The Griffs finished the season 16-15 overall and 9-7 in MIAA play, which helped them reach the MIAA postseason tournament for the first time. The winning conference record was the first for the Griffons since
the 2000 season.
Individually, junior transfer Erica Rottinghaus led the team with 377 kills while Amanda Boender led the way in the block category with 123 total. Highlight victories during the season included a series sweep of Northwest Missouri State University and a home victory against Emporia State , the first victory in the fieldhouse against the Hornets since the 2002 season.
Before her coaching career, Carbin was a standout player for the Griffons from 2002-05. She accumulated 557 kills to go along with 1,009 digs, 135 set assists and 128 services aces. She was also named to the 2005 ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America team.
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, Carbin taught mathematics at North Kansas City High School and was an assistant volleyball coach for the high school team. She was also head coach of the Kansas City Extreme Volleyball Club that competed in the 2009 Junior Olympics National Tournament.
Carbin was named interim head coach in May 2013 after Cory Frederick stepped down. She was his assistant all four years he was at Missouri Western, and the team improved its win total each season.