Bumpus Named Interim Head Coach
WATERTOWN, Wis. -- The Maranatha Baptist University Athletic Department is pleased to announce Mattie Bumpus as the interim head coach for Maranatha Women's Volleyball for the 2023 season.
The Covington, Indiana native steps in after an illustrious five-year playing career for the Sabercats, which included two NCCAA DII National Player of the Year honors, three NCCAA DII and AVCA All-American selections, and four trips to the NCCAA National Final Four which included National Runner-Up finishes at the 2018 and 2019 NCCAA DII National Tournaments.
Bumpus was twice named the NCCAA North Region Player of the Year and was a three-time NCCAA North Region selection for good measure.
Bumpus served as team captain for three seasons and most recently stepped into the head coaching role after serving as an assistant coach for the Maranatha Men's Volleyball Team during their 2023 season. Joining Bumpus on the coaching staff are assistant coaches Pam (Borchardt) Fiocchi - a former All-American who steps in for her seventh season as an assistant - and Kelsey (Johnson) Stevens - the 2018 NCCAA DII National Player of the Year and assistant coach during the 2020 and 2022 seasons.
The trio of Maranatha mainstays is poised to continue a tradition of excellence and competitiveness at the NCCAA level, and as far as Bumpus is concerned, her lessons learned as a player will be the keys that she wants to translate to the coaching staff.
"It’s going to take a lot of work, organization, and collaboration with my assistant coaches, but I have a healthy dose of excitement and nervousness," Bumpus said. "The excitement will fuel the energy of another season, while the nervousness will push me to do my best for the team.
"One thing I’ve learned is coaching takes reflection. After each practice and game, it’s looking back to see what we did well and what needs more work. If proper reflection is made, growth is bound to follow."
Bumpus learned the game for five years under Regina DeLozier, and the way Bumpus sees it, DeLozier's influence is central to her outlook on coaching.
"I want to carry on the legacy of Coach Regina DeLozier," Bumpus said. "She has exhibited strong leadership and has led her teams to many Regional and National titles. However, I know I cannot fill her big shoes. With the help and mentoring of my coaching staff, I want the team to be able to look back and see how much fun they had together, that they left everything on the court, and of course, bringing home a Regional banner would be nice too."
"We are excited to have Mattie lead the Sabercats program for the 2023 season as Interim Head Coach," said Rob Thompson, Maranatha's Director of Athletics. "Mattie has the playing experience, having played for the Sabercats for the past five seasons and she is the two-time NCCAA Player of the Year, and was Coach DeLozier's 'right hand on the team' while playing this past season as a graduate student. Mattie, along with assistance from Pam (Borchardt) Fiocchi and Kelsey (Johnson) Stevens will provide ample leadership to the 2023 squad."
For more on the Maranatha Women's Volleyball program, go here.
