The newest addition to the Purple Aces’ coaching staff is assistant coach Josh Wielebnicki, who enters his first season at UE after serving as Western Carolina’s top assistant last season. While there, he worked primarily with outside hitters and defensive specialists, along with directing program camps and managing fundraising efforts. Wielebnicki also headed the recruiting for Western Carolina, bringing in one of the best recruiting classes in the Southern Conference for 2010.
“I am excited and eager to have Josh on staff here at UE,” said head coach Mike Swan. “He is a very likeable guy with the type of volleyball background I was hoping to find, and since he was already familiar with the Missouri Valley Conference, Iknew this was a perfect choice. He is going to bring enthusiasm and great experience to our program.”
Prior to working at Western Carolina, Wielebnicki served as both a student manager and student assistant coach at Missouri Valley Conference rival Illinois State. While there, he helped see the 2007 Redbirds to a runner-up finish in the MVC and later advance on to the 2007 NCAA Tournament as an at-large selection.
Wielebnicki also played collegiately at Illinois State, where he served as co-captain and vice president of the Illinois State men’s club volleyball team and helped the Redbirds to a third place finish at the Division I-AA national tournament in 2008. Wielebnicki began his college career at Lewis University, playing two season of Division I volleyball before transferring to Illinois State in 2006.
A native of suburban Chicago, Wielebnicki graduated from Illinois State in 2008 with a degree in history.
