April Hall was named head volleyball coach on February 20, 2012, becoming the ninth head coach in the Western Illinois volleyball program's history.
During Hall's second year at the helm, the 2013 season, Hall continued to change the culture of the Western Illinois volleyball program. The Fighting Leathernecks made their first appearance in The Summit League Tournament since the 2007 season. WIU also defended its home court during the 2013 season, winning six-of-eight at home. Junior outside hitter Ann Miller was named All-Summit League Honorable Mention after the season, and was also named to the All-Tournament team at the conference tournament. In October, the Leathernecks swept back-to-back opponents (SDSU & NDSU) for the first time since the 2007 season. Two Western Illinois players earned the league's 'Player of the Week' honors in Molly Murphy and Samantha Fournier. Four Western Illinois players also earned Papa John's 'Scholar-Athlete of the Week' honors in Sarah Fetter, Jordan Jackson, Murphy and Ann Miller. Under Hall, Mallory Gibson posted a new career-high on August 30th versus Bradley when she stuffed 10 total blocks. Gibson also posted a career-best 20 kills on Nov. 3 against IUPUI. During the Leathernecks’ September 5th match at Northern Illinois, Bailey Kaloupek bettered her career-high in digs with 29. Fetter recorded a career-best 65 assists in a September 14th loss to Drake, while Miller also bettered her career-high in kills that game, finishing with 27. Fetter also recorded a new career high versus Oakland when she notched 23 digs. Fournier recorded a career-high .650 hitting percentage at Omaha and a career-best four service aces. Jackson recorded a career-high 11 kills against IUPUI on Nov. 3 with a career-best .476 hitting percentage.
In 2012, during her first season as Western's head coach, Hall began the rebuilding process of the Fighting Leathernecks volleyball program...The year was highlighted by a Drury Inn Jessica Barkman Memorial Classic victory at Indiana State and 10 total victories away from Macomb...The Leathernecks defeated Oakland for the first time since November 10, 2007...A night later they defeated North Dakota State for the first time since Nov. 2, 2007, and the first-ever at NDSU...A match victory at Saint Louis was also something the program had not accomplished in years, 21 years to be exact, but Hall and the Leathernecks swept the Billikens on October 2nd, snapping a 10-match losing streak...Not only did she change the culture on the court, but off the court as well...Hall headed a huge locker room renovation, and created the 'Lil Leathernecks Volleyball Clinic as a community outreach project.
Hall spent last year as an assistant coach at Northern Kentucky University while the Norse were in the transition from NCAA Division II to Division I. NKU went 26-6 last year and advanced to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament.
Working with all aspects of the NKU volleyball program, her duties included: scheduling, budget management, recruiting, fundraising, academic progress and game-planning. Following the 2011 season NKU had five student-athletes earn All-Great Lakes Valley Conference honors, three All-Region and three All-Americans selections.
Preceding her time at NKU, she spent the 2010 season as a volunteer assistant coach at The Ohio State University. The Buckeyes finished 24-12 and advanced to the 'Sweet Sixteen' of the NCAA Division I Tournament. Hall also coordinated various camps during her time at OSU.
During both the 2008 and 2009 seasons Hall served as the assistant coach at Ohio Wesleyan. She recruited and coached the NCAC Newcomer of the Year in 2008.
From 2007 until leaving for the NKU job she was the OSU women's volleyball club head coach. Under her direction her teams advanced to the nationals three consecutive years - a fifth place finish as the NCCS nationals in 2009, runner-up finish in 2010 at the NCVF national championships, and fifth place finish at the NCVF in 2011. Her 2009 club team took second in the DII Big Ten Tournament.
Prior to the collegiate coaching ranks, Hall worked at Olentangy High School (2006-08) as the freshman head coach and assistant varsity coach. She coached the 16-1 open team with the Blackswamp Volleyball Club to the nationals. She also worked three years with the Premier Volleyball Club in Ohio.
A 2006 graduate of Tiffin University, Hall earned her bachelor's degree in psychology graduating Cum Laude with a 3.54 GPA. She is working towards her master’s degree in general mental health counseling.
