On Jan. 13, 2004, Saint Louis University’s athletic department
named Anne Kordes as their ninth head volleyball coach. Kordes
comes from a strong volleyball background and says she is ready to
bring SLU volleyball a fresh, new, energetic look.

Kordes got her volleyball start when she was very young. Her
father was a successful volleyball coach in Louisville, Ky. At the
age of 9, Kordes began to play at practices, clinics and eventually
for her school. By the age of 11 she was playing traveling club
volleyball.

Kordes continued her volleyball career at the University of
Cincinnati, where she was named second-team All-Conference USA as a
sophomore.

She left UC and ultimately arrived at her hometown school, the
University of Louisville. There, Kordes was a two-time All-C-USA
selection. Her senior year she led her team to the C-USA Tournament
championship and the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

While at the U of L, she was a member of the Athletic Director’s
Honor Roll every semester and was a Red and Black Scholar-Athlete.
Kordes received both her bachelor and master’s degrees in sports
administration.

Kordes had a four-month coaching stint at Indiana University.
While she was there she was offered a recruiting position at
University of Illinois.

Kordes was the first assistant and recruiting coordinator at U
of I. Throughout her five-year stint at U of I, the Illini
qualified for the NCAA Tournament three times.

During the 2003 season she helped the Illini finish 15th in the
nation.

Kordes also served as an assistant coach for the USA Volleyball
National A2 program and the USA Volleyball Junior National Team
throughout her five years at Illinois.

In addition, Kordes was a co-head coach of the USA Volley Hut
Collegiate Team. These are collegiate players who are identified as
possible Olympians.

Kordes says she came to SLU for many reasons. Academics was one
of the main reasons she decided on SLU; Kordes said she wanted her
players not only to be athletically driven but academically driven
as well. She believes that SLU’s academics can be a great selling
point for recruiting.

Another reason Kordes chose to coach at SLU was that she wanted
to stay in the “hotbed” of volleyball, the Midwest.

Her strong contacts in the Midwest and the Catholic background
that brings great people were other driving forces that prompted
her to accept the position of head coach.

Kordes feels that SLU has strong potential for attending the
NCAA Tournament.

This is one of her many future goals for the Billikens. She
believes that SLU is a great match for her and her skills.

The younger and energetic coaches and administration are an
inspiration to Kordes.

“I already feel like part of the family and I have only been
here six days,” Kordes said in reference to SLU’s administration
and coaching staff.

Kordes says that her young, youthful energy is advantage for the
Bills. Also, her time at Illinois is going to be a benefit.

“We were competing at very high level all the years I was there.
I have the ability to go after the top recruits in the country,”
she said.

Kordes feels that recruitment is key, and she has a lot to offer
in that department.

“I think I am going to bring a new style of recruiting here, a
more intense style.

We are going to get out on the road and bring a lot of kids in.
We are just going to be involved everywhere,” Kordes said.

One of Kordes’ short-term goals is to increase the success of
the program. She wants the players to become better.

Kordes also wants to dominate the conference and go to the NCAA
Tournament every year.

“I want every kid here to have a very good experience,
academically, athletically and socially. I want it to be a full
package for everyone involved,” she said.

Kordes does not have an end in sight. She feels that she could
stay here for a long time.

“I am really excited about being here. I would like to make it
last.”