Volleyball Coaches
Head Coach, Lana Smith - 11th season
Lana Smith took over Simpson’s volleyball program in 1999, leading the Storm to a record of 200-147 during that stretch (a .576 winning percentage). Smith led the Storm to the NCAA Division III Championship in 2006 and 2008, winning the program's first regular season IIAC Championship since 1994 in 2006. That team went on to win the IIAC Tournament Championship and advanced to the second round of the national tournament, falling to Rhodes in five games after eliminating Maryville (Tenn.) in three games. In 2001, Smith earned Iowa Conference Coach of the Year honors as the Storm ended Central's 56-match Iowa Conference winning streak. Smith served as an assistant at Simpson in 1998 after leading Indianola High to a 243-89 (.750) record in her nine years at the helm for the Indians.
Smith competed collegiately at Iowa from 1983-1986, where she remains among the top 15 in Hawkeye history in blocks (271), kills (918) and service aces (87). In addition to her coaching responsibilities, Smith serves as Simpson’s assistant athletic director and senior women’s administrator.
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Assistant Coach, Ryan Baumgartner - First season
Ryan Baumgartner came to Simpson in the summer of 2009 to serve as the assistant volleyball coach and equipment manager. Prior to arriving in Indianola, Baumgartner served as the club director of the girls program at Side Out Volleyball Association in Glendale Heights, Ill. while volunteering as an assistant at Lewis University in Romeo, Ill. During the 2007 and 2008 seasons, he also assisted Neuqua Valley High School to consecutive 22-10 seasons.
Baumgartner received his higher education from Carthage College in
Kenosha, Wisc., graduating in June 2007 with a degree in exercise and
sport science. A four-year starter for the Carthage men’s volleyball
team, Baumgartner set a school record for total digs in a season and
average digs per game on his way to team MVP as a senior in 2007. Baumgartner balanced his playing career with his coaching career, as he
served as an assistant coach on Carthage’s women’s team all four years.
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Assistant Coach, Barb Overton - 11th season
Barb Overton begins her 11th season on the Storm staff. Prior to joining the squad, she was head volleyball coach at Indianola High School in 1998 where she led the Indians to a conference championship, a regional berth and 33-9-2 record. She was also Lana Smith's assistant for the Indians from 1990-98. Overton was the first head coach of the Simpson softball program in 1973-74.In addition to her coaching duties, Overton is a marketing assistant in Simpson's athletics department.
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Assistant Coach, Joel Van Roekel - 12th season
Joel Van Roekel is in his 12th season on the Storm staff. In addition to his varsity duties, Van Roekel is the head junior varsity coach. A University of Northern Iowa graduate, Van Roekel ran track for the Panthers.