Dave Ulrich joined the UIS volleyball staff as an assistant coach in January 2026, bringing extensive collegiate coaching experience at the Division II and NCCAA levels. He will assist with all areas of the Prairie Stars program, recruiting, player development, scouting, and day-to-day operations.
Ulrich most recently spent four seasons on the coaching staff at St. Mary’s University (2021-25), where he helped guide the Rattlers to three Lone Star Conference Tournament Quarterfinal appearances. During his tenure, St. Mary’s consistently ranked among the national leaders offensively and at the net, including top-50 national rankings in kills per set, hitting percentage, and assists per set in 2024. The program also saw significant improvement in blocking, with team averages increasing each season and multiple players earning all-conference and all-freshman honors.
Prior to St. Mary’s, Ulrich served as an assistant coach at Texas Woman’s University, where he worked closely with middle blockers and blocking schemes. His efforts helped the Pioneers rise from last to second in the Lone Star Conference in blocks per set in one season.
Ulrich has also held head coaching positions at King University and Randall University, leading notable program turnarounds. At Randall, he guided the Saints to a NCCAA Division II Final Four appearance, earning NCCAA Southwest Region Coach of the Year honors and AVCA Thirty Under 30 recognition.
A graduate of Lincoln Christian University with a degree in spiritual formation and ministry, Ulrich brings a well-rounded approach to coaching that emphasizes technical development, competitive growth, and program culture.
