WICHITA, Kan. – Head coach Chris Lamb announced Friday the addition of Ainsley Malis to the coaching staff as Assistant Coach and Director of Operations.

"I've known Ainsley and her family for a long time; she's always had a very high-level understanding of competition and volleyball," Lamb said. "Throughout this process, it was clear that she was very determined and knows what she wants from the game. Nobody was more impressive and had the kind of answers she did. I expect she will transition very easily to this job and be a great addition to our staff."

Malis recently wrapped up a decorated playing career that yielded more than 3,000 career assists and included stops at Long Island University and West Texas A&M.

A native of Tucson, Arizona, Malis spent two seasons as the starting setter at Long Island, helping the Sharks to an NCAA tournament appearance in 2020. She transferred to West Texas A&M in 2022 and dished out 658 assists for a Lady Buffs team that went on to win the NCAA Division II National Championship. Malis and West Texas A&M finished as National Runner-Up in 2023 and reached the NCAA South Central Regional Semifinals in 2024.

All told, Malis and the Lady Buffs went 92-13 overall and lost just two regular season conference matches over her three seasons in Canyon.

In addition to her prowess on the court, Malis was awarded the NCAA Women's Enhancement Graduate Scholarship in 2024, one of just 13 such recipients across all NCAA divisions. She was also twice named to the Lone Star Conference All-Academic Team in 2023 and 2024. Malis earned her master's degree from West Texas A&M in Sports and Exercise Science with an emphasis in Sport Management.

Ainsley is the daughter of Michelle and A.J. Malis, who started the well-known club program Zona Volleyball in 1995 and operated it as directors until 2021. Michelle was a standout collegiate player at Arizona from 1990-93, where A.J. served as assistant coach for the Wildcats from 2000-03.