Sara Thomas-Dietrich returned to her alma mater as an assistant coach in February 2018.
No stranger to coaching success, Thomas-Dietrich spent seven seasons from 2011-2017 as the head coach of her high school alma mater, Althoff Catholic High School in Belleville, Ill., culminating with an Illinois Class 3A state title and 41-1 record in 2017.
Thomas-Dietrich coached 10 players that went on to play college volleyball, five all-state selections, three conference players of the year, numerous all-conference selections, and twice earned coach of the year honors from the Belleville News-Democrat.
In addition to her coaching duties, Thomas-Dietrich worked in private business in the areas of sales and marketing, event coordination and customer experience.
During her playing career, the former Sara Thomas helped the Bears to three NCAA Tournaments, including a trip to the second round in 2006, and won Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the year honors as a senior in 2007. Also a first-team all-MVC pick that season, she averaged 3.20 kills on .279 hitting, 3.45 digs and 1.23 blocks per set, finished her career with 797 kills, 1,117 digs, 316 blocks and 288 assists in 131 matches.
Thomas-Dietrich graduated from MSU with a Hospitality & Restaurant Administration degree in 2009. She and her husband Brad have two daughters, Emma and Charlotte.
