West Memphis School District announces new head volleyball coach

Alexis Austin brings college-level experience to Blue Devils program

By PAIGE WALKUP

WMSD Communications

The West Memphis School District (WMSD) has announced Alexis Austin as their new head volleyball coach.

Austin, a Texas native, who attended Texas Southern University, heads to West Memphis after serving as the Assistant Volleyball Coach and Director of Operations at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) for the last two seasons.

Prior to her role at UAPB, she served as the Graduate Assistant Coach and Director of Operations for East Central University for two seasons.

Superintendent Dr. Terrence Brown stated, “Coach Austin, brings critical skills to our volleyball court. Her background and experience will be invaluable to our student athletes. We are excited about the

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Coach Alexis Austin will be tasked with rebuilding the West Memphis Blue Devil volleyball program, taking over after the unexpected and sudden departure of previous coach Erica Lear in the middle of the 2023 season.

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future of Blue Devil volleyball.”

As a student-athlete, Austin received many accolades including two-time SWAC All-Tournament Team, Highest Percentage Award, Kill Maker Award, Most Outstanding Offensive Player Award, SWAC Commissioner Honor Roll Honoree, 1000 Kills Club Honoree and a two-time SWAC Player of the Week.

In 2020, she became the Graduate Assistant and Director of Operations at East Central University for two seasons. During her time at ECU, she assisted in successfully rebuilding the program from a 2-29 overall record to a 1514 overall, 11-5 conference record, the best record in program history.

Alexis earned her Master’s in Sports Administration in Summer 2022.