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David Shondell is in his sixth year at the helm of the Purdue volleyball program. He has led the team to four straight NCAA Tournament berths (2004-2007) since becoming the fourth head coach in the history of the Boilermaker program on Feb. 13, 2003. Shondell's charges also have climbed the Big Ten standings, moving from tied for 10th in 2003 to third in 2007. "I did not hesitate when offered the opportunity to coach at Purdue University," Shondell said. "I believe the location of West Lafayette to be the most ideal location to build a volleyball power. Our campus is located within easy driving distance of more quality volleyball prospects than any other college in the country. It is a tremendous academic institution and a university that supports women's athletics at a grand level. "It is my hope to help build one of the nation's elite volleyball programs in the country at Purdue. It is clear that we have all the necessary resources to develop a national contender. Building a great program is more than winning volleyball matches; it is more about providing each player with the best academic, athletic, and social experience that can be found anywhere. I believe that we are quickly putting that kind of program in place in West Lafayette." The 2003 Boilermakers posted a 14-17 record, including wins over two Top 25 teams, to kick off the Shondell era. The squad finished eighth in the Big Ten, while earning several milestone victories, including a sweep of Indiana and the team's first win over Ohio State in Columbus since 1988. In 2004, Purdue ended a 14-year absence from the NCAA Tournament and posted a 17-15 overall mark. The team knocked off four Top 25 opponents in a season for the first time since 1985, and earned its first national ranking since 1990 with the No. 24 spot in the Sept. 6 AVCA Coaches Poll. Purdue topped No. 9 Colorado State in the NCAA first round, a victory that marked Purdue's first postseason win since the 1987 NCAA Tournament, and advanced to the NCAA second round before falling to No. 2 Hawai'i. The Boilermakers tied for sixth place in the Big Ten and earned the program's first win over Wisconsin since 1992. Shondell guided the 2005 Boilermakers to the NCAA Sweet 16 for the first time since 1987. Purdue spent 13 weeks among the nation's top 25 and saw setter Renata Dargan become the program's first All-American since 1989, as she earned honorable mention accolades. The team finished the season with a 25-9 mark, including a 12-8 Big Ten record, after falling in the Sweet 16 to eventual national champion Washington. The 12-8 conference record earned Purdue a fifth-place finish in the Big Ten, marking the team's best league finish since 1990, while the 25 wins were the most for the team since 1985. The team knocked off three Top 25 opponents, including two ranked in the Top 10 for the first time 1985. In 2006, the Boilermakers continued to thrive in the national spotlight, making their second-straight NCAA Sweet 16 appearances, while spending the entire season ranked among the nation's Top 25. Purdue posted a 23-11 overall mark, including an 11-9 record and fifth-place finish in Big Ten play. The effort marked the first time Purdue had registered back-to-back 20-win seasons and back-to-back winning Big Ten finishes since the 1984 and 1985 campaigns. Purdue topped three Top 25 opponents, including a win over No. 13 Ohio State in a nationally televised match. Middle hitter Stephanie Lynch earned honorable mention All-America accolades to cap the year. After signing seventh-best recruiting class in the nation, the Boilermakers readied for the 2007 campaign. Despite injuries and a young roster, Purdue managed a 19-14 record, including a third-place Big Ten finish, its best since 1990. The Boilermakers advanced to the NCAA Tournament second round for the fourth-straight season, making them one only 12 teams to do so. Wins over No. 15 Michigan and No. 19 Ohio highlighted the season. Lynch garnered honorable mention All-America honors for the second-straight season, while eight Boilermakers received Academic All-Big Ten accolades for their work in the classroom. Morgan Burke, Purdue's director of intercollegiate athletics, said the decision to hire Shondell has paid off. "Dave Shondell is doing just what he said he would do. He is building a nationally prominent program," Burke said. "The prospects going forward are very bright for this program, and our objective is to support him in the quest to win championships." Shondell brought 22 years of experience to the Boilermaker sidelines. In 13 years at Muncie Central High School, Shondell led the Bearcats to four state titles, including the 2002 championship, and a 428-52 record (.891), good for the second-best winning percentage in Indiana high school volleyball history. Under his leadership, Muncie Central won 56 consecutive North Central Conference matches from 1995 to 2001, and was the only public school to be ranked in the top 25 nationally each year since 1993. Shondell earned national coach of the year honors from studentsports.com after guiding his 2002 team to a 39-1 record, a state title and a No. 2 ranking in the Student Sports Fab 50. In Shondell's 15 years as program co-director and head coach of the Munciana Club, 12 Munciana teams won USA Volleyball national championships. The club was honored for the best overall performance by a club for 12 consecutive years at the national championships, and Shondell's teams finished in the top five in the nation every year since 1991. Shondell worked with some of the top youths in the nation as assistant coach for the USA Junior National Team during the 1998-99 season, helping the team win the NORCECA Games in Cuernavaca, Mexico, to earn a bid to the world championships. Shondell began his coaching career as an assistant men's volleyball coach at Ball State during the 1980-81 season. He then became head volleyball coach at Daleville High School in 1981, a position he held until 1988. From 1986 to 1988, Shondell's Daleville squad owned a top-five state ranking and posted a 167-63 overall record (.726), the best winning percentage by any coach ever at the school. Shondell, a Muncie, Ind., native, earned his bachelor's degree in physical education and health from Ball State in 1981, and finished his master's at the school in 1985. Shondell and his wife, Angela, have four children, Karli (25), Lindsay (23), Ashlee (21) and Kyle (18). Lindsay graduated from Purdue in May 2007, following a three-year playing career. She is an assistant coach at Samford University. |
 2008 Volleyball Season Highlights
Shondell Reflects On European Trip
Volleyball Camps Benefit Players And Game
Boilers Head To Europe For Two-Week Tour
NCAA Selection Show Special
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