WICHITA, Kan. - Wichita State Head Coach Chris Lamb has announced that Julie Allen has been named the volunteer assistant coach for the volleyball program.
 
Allen takes the place of Donnie Wallace, who was named an assistant coach for the Shockers in April.
 
"Julie played high school and club volleyball for me," Lamb said. "Right after her playing career, she wanted to get into coaching. Along the way I've helped her land positions with people that I know. She is like a little sister to me. We are from a little town and I've known her forever. We have the same friends and I'm glad we get to be able to coach together. I think she's going to be an unbelievable help to Shannon (Lamb) with all the organizational and administrative things. Everybody's excited that this is happening for her."
 
Before coming to Wichita State, Allen was an assistant volleyball coach at UTEP for the last six seasons. While at UTEP, she served as the recruiting coordinator and the team's technical coordinator. She shared in all of the program's coaching responsibilities, including offensive director and opponent scouting game prep.

In 2013, Allen guided UTEP middle blocker Xitlali Herrera to AVCA Division I All-America, AVCA All-Southwest Region first team and all-Conference USA first team honors.

Recruiting Herrera in 2011, Allen helped her to become the only C-USA middle blocker to play all six rotations. The senior ranked 23rd nationally, fourth in C-USA and first on the team in kills with 465 including a career high 27 against Tulsa (11/15) and Southern Miss (11/19). The Juarez, Mexico native tallied 29 double-digit kill performances in her last season with the Miners. She finished her career fourth all-time in program history with 1,182 kills.

Allen joined the UTEP volleyball staff after a two-year stint at Arkansas State. While at Arkansas State, Allen helped direct the Red Wolves to back-to-back winning seasons, 22-11 in 2009 and 21-12 in 2008. She also tutored Cayla Fielder, the 2008 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year, and Defensive Player of the Week Heather Brown.

Prior to Arkansas State, the Sebastopol, Calif., native spent two years as an assistant coach at Georgetown (2006-07) where she handled scouting, offseason recruiting and team development. Her efforts helped the Hoyas improve from a 0-25 record to eight wins and the Georgetown Classis Title.

She began her collegiate coaching career at Chico State (2004-05) where she assisted with recruiting, travel and summer camps while leading the men's club team to a fifth-place finish at the national tournament.

"I am so thrilled to be a part of the Shocker Program," Allen said. "I want to thank Chris and Shannon Lamb for this wonderful opportunity. I am grateful for this opportunity to work with such talented student-athletes in the gym, learn from the dedicated coaches and devoted staff. I have known Chris for a long time. Not only has he taught me about the sport of volleyball, but how to work hard, be passionate about your aspirations and be determined to achieve your goals. I am thankful to have a mentor that has continued to push me, challenge me to become better every day and lead by example." 

Allen is a 2005 graduate of the NCAA Women's Coaches Academy, a program that provides skills training for coaches at all levels to assist them in being more efficient, productive, resourceful and successful. She also participated in the NCAA Women Coaches Academy Dimension 2 in 2007.

Allen received her bachelor's degree in education with a concentration in social studies from the University of Portland in 2002, where she was a four-year setter for the Pilots. She finished her career fifth all-time in Pilots' history in assists.

She is currently working on a master's degree in business administration with an emphasis on Intercollegiate Athletics.