Meridian Community College Announces the Launch of New Volleyball Program and Welcomes Alex Schimelpfening as Head Coach

Meridian–Meridian Community College is thrilled to announce the introduction of its new volleyball program and the appointment of Alex Schimelpfening as the program's inaugural head coach. Coach Schimelpfening brings a wealth of experience and a passion for developing volleyball athletes to Meridian Community College.

The addition of volleyball to the college's athletic offerings demonstrates MCC's commitment to providing opportunities for student-athletes to excel in their chosen sports. NJCAA volleyball is a fall sport, and will begin competing in the Fall of 2024. 

Over the past five years, Coach Schimelpfening has dedicated himself to nurturing and honing the skills of volleyball athletes who aspire to excel at the high school and collegiate levels. His commitment to the sport and impressive track record as an assistant women's volleyball coach at Lamar School is a testament to his expertise.

In addition to his coaching experience, Coach Schimelpfening and his wife, Courtney, have played a pivotal role in the growth of Volleyball in Lauderdale County and the surrounding area. In September 2019, they opened Queen City Athletics Volleyball Club, a dynamic organization responsible for the rapid expansion of volleyball in the region.

As co-owners and directors of Queen City Athletics Volleyball Club, Alex and Courtney Schimelpfening have significantly contributed to the growth of volleyball in the East Mississippi and West Alabama area. Their efforts have included hosting over 30 clinics catering to a wide range of age groups and skill levels, from teaching 4-6-year-olds the fundamentals of the sport to conducting advanced 4-hour hitting clinics for collegiate athletes. 

Since the club's inception, they have trained over 400 athletes, a testament to their dedication to fostering talent in the region. Their coaching expertise has extended to leading 14 teams across various age groups, competing at regional and national travel volleyball levels. Notably, their teams now compete in national competitions at the highest competitive division.

Athletic Director Sander Atkinson said, "I think MCC is lucky to have Coach Schimelpfening to start our volleyball program. His commitment to this sport, especially in Meridian and Lauderdale County, speaks for itself. I am extremely excited to watch this program build under Coach Schimelpfening's leadership." His passion, dedication, and extensive experience developing volleyball talent in the region will help grow a culture of excellence on and off the court." 

For more information about Meridian Community College's volleyball program, please contact Alex Schimelphening at Alex.Schimelphening@meridiancc.edu.