SPRINGFIELD – Former Olympian, All-American and long-time area volleyball coach Lori Endicott-Vandersnick has joined the Missouri State staff as an assistant coach, head coach Steven McRoberts announced Friday.
 
"We are thrilled and blessed to have such a decorated athlete and coach join our program. Lori's insight and knowledge will add greatly to our staff," McRoberts said. "Our student-athletes, specifically our setters, will definitely benefit from having such an accomplished mentor in our gym every day."
 
A native of nearby Willard, Mo., Endicott-Vandersnick played collegiately at Nebraska, where she was a two-time All-American, two-time Big 8 Player of the Year, Academic All-American and NCAA runner-up.
 
"I'm very excited for the opportunity to work with these amazing coaches and athletes," added Endicott-Vandersnick. "I've always had the desire to coach at the collegiate level and I can't wait to get into the gym and get started."
 
After college, Endicott-Vandersnick spent eight years (1989-96) playing for the United States National Team, helping Team USA to a bronze medal at the 1990 World Championships, a bronze medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, the 1995 FIVB Grand Prix championship and a seventh-place finish at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. She was named the best setter at the Olympics and FIVB Super Four in 1992.
 
Following her playing days, Endicott-Vandersnick transitioned to coaching as an assistant at Pittsburg State in 1997 and returned home in 1999 as a club coach for Springfield Juniors and the Community Olympic Development Program, and post she held through 2020.
 
Since 2005, Endicott-Vandersnick has served as head volleyball coach for the Springfield area's Community Sports Development Program, adding Program Director to her duties in 2018. She has also provided color commentary on MSU volleyball's ESPN+ broadcasts since 2023.
 
Endicott-Vandersnick and her husband, Mark, have two sons, Cole and Luke.