SPRINGFIELD -- Missouri State volleyball head coach Melissa Stokes completed her 2015 coaching staff Thursday (Feb. 26) with the hiring of Kevin Dunn as assistant coach. Dunn, who spent the last two seasons as an assistant at North Dakota State, begins his duties March 2, filling the vacancy created by Jeni Jones's departure in January.

At North Dakota State, Dunn coached a total of six all-Summit League student-athletes while assisting in all aspects of the NDSU program. Dunn served as the primary position coach for setters and right side hitters, and contributed to game planning, recruiting, scheduling, and camp operations.

"I am very honored to have the opportunity to become a member of the Missouri State family," Dunn said upon his hire. "Coach Stokes has continually added to the success at Missouri State and I'm excited to help build on that winning tradition. I want to thank Coach Stokes for the chance to be a part of the next great chapter in Bears Volleyball and I look forward to getting started."

Prior to joining the staff in Fargo, Dunn coached one season at Washington University in his home town of St. Louis, helping the Bears to a 31-4 record and NCAA regional runner-up finish. Dunn spent the 2011 season as an assistant at West Virginia after two seasons at Alabama, where he was an assistant coach in 2010 and volunteer assistant for the Crimson Tide in 2009.

"Kevin is a coach I have kept on my radar screen for when the timing was right," said head coach Melissa Stokes, who enters her 20th season at Missouri State this fall. "The timing could not be any better and Kevin will be a great fit with our program. He is very passionate and has a very high volleyball IQ. He will make an immediate impact on our program in the gym from a technical training standpoint. He is also from the St. Louis area and knows this region and area coaches well, which will help us in continuing to attract the best student-athletes to Missouri State."

Dunn also served a one-year graduate assistantship at Southern Arkansas after coaching and playing for Lindenwood University from 2003-07. At LU, Dunn was a student assistant while enjoying a four-year playing career. In 2006, he captained a team that spent time with a No. 1 national ranking, and the Lions advanced to two NAIA national semifinals and two national championship matches during his career.

Dunn earned a bachelor's degree in history and business administration from Lindenwood in May 2008, and was a four-time academic all-conference selection.

Dunn's hire is pending final approval by the Missouri State University Board of Governors at its meeting later this month.