Head Coach John Yehling
Coach
Yehling was hired in 2002 as Head Men’s Volleyball Coach. In his first
year, he led the Spartans to a second place finish at the NAIA National
Tournament. Since taking over, the men’s team has qualified for the
national tournament every year and has compiled a record of 119-50 during
that time.
In 2005, Coach Yehling was named Head Women’s volleyball coach and immediately made an impact. The team qualified for the NAIA National tournament each of his first two years finishing in the Final Four in 2005 and the Elite Eight in 2006. Their record is 103-30 since Coach Yehling has taken over.
During his tenure at MBU, Coach Yehling has an overall record of 222-80. He has coached several All-Americans for both the men and the women, and in 2006 coached Ana Mercado to the NAIA Player of the Year Award. He was also named Conference and Region Coach of the Year in 2005 on the women’s side and Conference Coach of the Year in 2004 on the men’s side.
Coach Yehling is originally from St. Louis and attended Vianney High School. He married his high school sweetheart Jessica in October of 2004 and they recently had their first child Cecelia Christine on May 29th of 2008.
Assistant Coach Chris Nichols
Chris
Nichols is entering his fourth year as Head Assistant Coach for both the
Men’s and Women’s Volleyball programs. Chris has been at Missouri
Baptist since 2001 as a player and then was promoted to the coaching staff.
Chris graduated from Francis Howell High School in St. Charles where he
was a 4 year varsity setter from 1997-2000, including the 2000 State Championship
Team. He played for MBU for 3 years and helped the Spartans earn the 2nd
Place National Tournament finish in the 2003 season.
Including his playing experience, Chris is also an experienced coach. He was the assistant coach for the Varsity Boy’s and Girl’s Volleyball at Francis Howell High School from 2002-2005 help leading the girls to there first conference an district titles since 1981, and the boys team to 3 straight final 4 appearances . Over the last three years at MBU Chris has help lead the Women to a first time ever Final Four finish in the 2005 National Tournament and the Elite Eight in 2006.
Chris also is very reputable in the club volleyball scene where he has coached for Kaepa St. Charles, Team Saint Louis and is also currently Club Director for Team Saint Louis. He led his 16 TSL squad to the Junior Olympics National Tournament, where they finished strong placing 9th in the nation.
Graduate Assistant Coach Chrissy King
Chrissy
King joins the volleyball staff in 2008. Chrissy earned her bachelor’s
degree from Saint Louis University, where she was a member of the NCAA Division
I women’s volleyball team for four years. While Chrissy was there,
SLU won the Atlantic 10 Conference Championship and qualified for the First
Round of the NCAA National Tournament in 2006. In 2007, Chrissy was the
team captain. In high school, Chrissy was a member of a Cor Jesu Academy
volleyball team that won three 4A Missouri State High School Volleyball
Championships. She was also an All-State selection in 2002 and 2003.
Chrissy continues her coaching career, having coached club volleyball in St. Louis since 2004, and having most recently served as the Freshman Volleyball Coach at Ursuline Academy. Chrissy will be pursuing her Masters in Business Administration with a Certificate in Sports Management from MBU.
