Story courtesy of Central Michigan's Athletic Communications Department
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.—Arielle Wilson (ARE-ee-el Will-son) has been named the sixth head volleyball coach at Central Michigan University, Zyzelewski Family Vice President/Director of Athletics Amy Folan announced on Monday afternoon.
Wilson will be introduced to the campus community in a “Welcome to CMU event” event scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 4 p.m. in the atrium of the Chippewa Champions Center. The event is open to the public and will be streamed on
www.cmuchippewas.com.
Success, both as a coach and player, has followed Wilson at every turn during her volleyball career. A nine-year NCAA Division I coaching veteran, former USA National Team member (2011 and 2013), three-time AVCA All-American and four-time national champion as a player at Penn State, and six-year professional volleyball player, Wilson spent the last two seasons as the defensive and recruiting coordinator at Missouri (2023-24). She has also worked as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Georgia Tech (2019-23), Michigan State (2018), and DePaul (2016-17). The Chicago-land native has helped guide five teams to NCAA Tournament appearances.
Wilson inherits a Central Michigan program that in 2024 put together the school's most successful campaign in 41 years, finishing 24-7 overall and in second place in the MAC with a 15-3 league record. CMU earned the No. 2 seed upon advancing to the 2024 MAC Tournament.
“We are excited to have Arielle Wilson coming to Central Michigan University to lead our women’s volleyball program,” Folan said. “Her national experience and success combined with her personal relationships and genuine care for others makes her the perfect fit for our program that is competing at the top of the MAC. She has seen success at all levels and I have no doubt that she will bring all of that here to our community and continue that tradition in Mount Pleasant.”
“We are thrilled to welcome a coach and mentor of Arielle Wilson’s caliber to lead our student-athletes to further success in competition and in the classroom,” CMU President Neil MacKinnon said. “CMU is extremely proud of our student-athletes and their hard work, and we know they will thrive under Coach Wilson’s proven leadership.”
“I cannot thank Amy Folan, Tangela Cheatham, and CMU President Dr. Neil MacKinnon enough for this amazing opportunity to be the next head coach at Central Michigan University,” Wilson said. “I am Fired Up about the opportunity to lead exceptional student-athletes who will leave this program to be exceptional women in the world and I am very excited and grateful to be put in a position to give back to this amazing sport while empowering and caring for the young ladies currently in this program and those who will be the future of this amazing program.”
“I am thrilled to continue to build on the winning legacy at CMU. Furthermore, all thanks to God, my family, the best mentors, and the many experiences which have shaped and prepared me for this next chapter. Lastly, big thanks to the women head coaches who have inspired me to be confident and bold. I am grateful to be a part of the Chippewas community and looking forward to getting involved in building relationships with everyone who supports this historic volleyball program.”
As the defensive and recruiting coordinator under head coach Dawn Sullivan at Missouri, Wilson helped lead the Tigers to a 2024 NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen appearance with a 22-9 overall record and third place finish in the Southeastern Conference with an 11-5 record. It marked the first time the program has won 20 matches overall and 10 league matches in a season since 2019. The Tigers earned a No. 7 seed in the NCAA Tournament and finished the campaign ranked among the nation’s top 25. The Tigers put together a nine-match win streak during the season and defeated No. 10 ranked SMU during the NCAA Tournament. Wilson coached three All-Americans, four All-SEC players and four AVCA Central All-Region players.
In 2023, Missouri advanced to the NCAA Tournament, finished 18-13 and 9-9 in the SEC, an eight-win improvement from the previous season. That eight-win improvement tied for the 12
th largest among all programs in the nation and second among Power-Five conference institutions. Wilson helped the Tigers to a first-round win over Delaware before they were eliminated by top-seeded Nebraska. Three Tigers earned All-SEC honors, while two received 2023 AVCA Southeast All-Region recognition.
Prior to her stint at Missouri, Wilson spent four seasons at Georgia Tech from 2019-22 as the program’s assistant coach and recruiting coordinator under head coach Michelle Collier. Wilson played a pivotal role within the program as she helped lead the Yellow Jackets to four consecutive postseason appearances, including three straight NCAA Tournament appearances in 2020, 2021, and 2022, and a combined 82-27 overall record. Wilson coached three student-athletes to All-American honors at Georgia Tech including three-time All-American outside hitter Julia Bergmann.
In 2022, Georgia Tech finished 21-8 overall and 13-5 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, was ranked as high as No. 5 nationally, and earned its third straight NCAA Tournament appearance. In 2021, Georgia Tech advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight, finished the year ranked No. 16 nationally, and finished 26-6 overall (14-4 in the ACC). The Yellow Jackets led the nation in kills per set (15.18) and assists per set (13.90) and ranked No. 6 nationally in hitting percentage (.291). Three outside hitters earned First Team All-America honors. In 2020, Wilson helped the Yellow Jackets to their first NCAA Tournament berth in 11 years, a 14-5 overall record (13-4 ACC) finish, and a No. 8 nation ranking at one point in the season. In 2019, Wilson helped Georgia Tech to the National Invitational Volleyball Championship title, a 21-8 record, and a runner-up finish in the ACC after it placed 11
th in the preseason poll.
Prior to her time at Georgia Tech, Wilson served as a volunteer assistant coach at Michigan State during the 2018 season, where she specialized in middle blocker training and team blocking techniques.
Wilson served as an assistant at DePaul (2016-17), where she worked extensively with the middle blockers and helped guide Brittany Maxwell to become the program’s first All-Big East First Team honoree. Wilson also served as a club coach for New Wave Volleyball, based in Oakbrook, Ill. and as a coach for the outdoor beach volleyball program with First Alliance Volleyball Club. Wilson is a familiar face around the city of Chicago and has had a hand in helping multiple programs around the city.
Wilson has administered various camps over the years at her alma mater, Proviso East High School (Ill.).
As a player, Wilson excelled at every level. She was a member of the USA Women’s National Team in 2013 and played professionally for six seasons in Poland, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, and Italy. Her association with the USA National Team continues as she has served as a Development Program coach with the USNT since 2022.
Wilson was a standout at Penn State, playing for head coach Russ Rose, and leading the Nittany Lions to four NCAA championships, four Big Ten championships, a 142-7 overall record and a 109-match win streak. Wilson was recognized as a three-time AVCA All-American, the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, a three-time First Team All-Big Ten honoree, and she served as team captain. Wilson concluded her career as the program recordholder in career hitting percentage (.468).
Wilson earned a bachelor’s degree with a major in kinesiology with a focus on fitness studies in 2011 from Penn State.
She relocates to Mount Pleasant, Mich. with her daughter Ariana.
THE ARIELLE WILSON FILE
Education
Bachelor’s degree, Kinesiology, Penn State University, 2011
Coaching Career
Head Coach, Central Michigan University, 2025-current
Defensive and Recruiting Coordinator, University of Missouri, 2023-24
Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2019-22
Volunteer Assistant Coach, Michigan State University, 2018
Assistant Coach, DePaul University, 2016-17
Playing Career
As a middle hitter, three-time AVCA All-American at Penn State (2008-10) … Three-time First Team All-Big Ten selection and Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2007 … Led Penn State to four national championships and four Big Ten Championships in 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 … Penn State’s four-year record with Wilson: 142-7 including perfect back-to-back 38-0 seasons in 2008 and 2009 … Guided Penn State to a 109-match win streak (2007-10) … Served as team captain at Penn State … Academic All-Big Ten honoree in 2008 … USA Volleyball National Team member (2011 and 2013) … Played volleyball professionally overseas for six years in four different countries: Poland, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, and Italy … In the Penn State volleyball records, owns the program’s all-time top career hitting percentage (.468), 10 points higher than the second-highest ranked player … Also ranks No. 5 on Penn State’s all-time career blocks list (633), sixth on its blocks per set list (1.43), and fourth in block assists list (572) … All-State volleyball player at Proviso East High School.
Coaching Accomplishments
Helped guide two different programs to a total of five NCAA Tournament appearances (Missouri- 2023, 2024; Georgia Tech- 2020, 2021, 2022) … Helped guide teams to six total postseason appearances … Has served as National Team Development Program coach with USA Volleyball for the last three years (2022-24).
—CMU—
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT ARIELLE WILSON
“Being coached by Ari will always have a long-lasting impact on me not only as a player, but as a person. I was only coached by Ari for a couple of months, but in such a short time she has managed to change the way I think about the game and help alter my self-talk to be more positive leaning. Ari breathes confidence into me every day at practice and it continues throughout games. It was so nice to be coached by an individual who not only fully believes in your abilities and capabilities but has such a large volleyball IQ and experience.”
-former Missouri player Mycheal Vernon
“Intense, passionate and observant. With a keen eye, she is always attentive to important details and is willing to help and give good feedback on these aspects. In addition, she is an incredible person, whose words always create a strong impact on those who are listening, making us see things in a different way. She is always willing to help you and understands that an athlete’s life encompasses things that go beyond volleyball or training, but it is also how you feel off the court, and she really cares about you as a person. As coach you know you can count on in all aspects of life. In my journey at Tech, Ari always gave me good insights and in each conversation. She made me see something different and grow as a person and player. Also, an incredible inspiration to me, and someone I really look up to.”
-former Georgia Tech player Mariana Brambilla
“Being coached by Ari was truly a blessing. Knowing how much success she had when she was a player was motivation for me to continue to work hard and expand my mind to retain the information and knowledge she had about the game. Having her as a positional coach was life-changing for me as a player. I loved how composed she was as a coach and how she transferred information so easily. She is someone that I still look up to and as hard as it was to see her leave Michigan State, I was lucky to have the opportunity to work with someone as great as Ari.”
-former Michigan State player Naya Gros
“Coach Ari is one of the most passionate, caring, and experienced coaches I have ever played for. Every day, no matter what the situation, she always has the same positive and calming energy. She always made it a priority to be there for me and my teammates in every aspect. From personal situations to volleyball, she would spend hours with me training skills and watching video. No matter the day, she would go out of her way to provide me with as much knowledge and experience as she could give. Ari is one of the most kind-hearted, loyal, and driven people/coaches that I know. I loved playing for Coach Ari, and I wish I could play for her again. She was more than a coach, she was a mentor, a role model, and someone anybody could go to for advice and all things volleyball.”
-former Georgia Tech player Maddie Tippet
Historically, the Central Michigan volleyball program has made one NCAA Tournament appearance (2011) and captured one MAC Tournament title (2011), registered two first place regular season finishes (2003-1
st West and 2019-1
st West), and 12 second place MAC finishes in regular season competition (1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1988, 1994, 2007, 2008, 2020, 2022, 2024). Since the program began in 1974, the Chippewas have registered 20 or more victories 13 times (1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 2007, 2019, 2022, 2024).
