Bio
Inducted while still in her prime coaching years, Trish Kissiar-Knight had already established herself as a legend in women's high school and college volleyball. In 16 years of coaching at Missouri State University-West Plains, Trish was named Coach of the Year in NJCAA Region 16 twelve times. Her Grizzly team was nationally ranked for twelve consecutive years, won the NJCAA Region 16 championship ten consecutive years, advanced to the NJCAA National Volleyball Tournament ten consecutive years, and advanced to the national championship match in 2002 and 2003.
Her overall collegiate coaching record at Missouri State-West Plains was 676-170-2, a winning margin of 80 percent. Her overall NJCAA Region 16 record was 204-24 (89 percent winning margin). She produced 79 All-Region selections, 25 NJCAA All-Americans (including three, two-time first-team All-Americans) and eight NJCAA Academic All-Americans, three of whom were Distinguished Academic All-Americans. She also produced 16 NJCAA All-Tournament Team selections and four NJCAA Academic Team selections.
While her total accomplishments are far too numerous to mention in this format, it is especially significant to note that Trish has now been inducted into five Halls of Fame: 1) Missouri State University Hall of Fame (as a student-athlete); 2) NJCAA Volleyball Coaches Hall of Fame; 3) Missouri Sports Hall of Fame; 4) Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Athletics Hall of Fame; and now, 5) NJCAA Region 16 Hall of Fame.
According to Dr. Herb Lunday, the Dean of Student Services and Director of Athletics to whom Trish reported for 16 years at Missouri State-West Plains, "Trish Knight brings to the table an amazing package of energy, stamina, volleyball knowledge, coaching saavy and personal courage. She is an extraordinary lady."