Sonya Hopkins joins Team Indiana with over twenty-two
years of coaching experience and numerous accolades to
her name. She played Division I volleyball for Southern
Illionis University – Carbondale and graduated with
a B.S. in Journalism in May of 1983. Sonya started
her coaching career as an assistant coach for her alma
mater after she graduated. She was assistant coach
for seven years before taking her first head coaching job
at Kankakee Community College in Illinois. There
she also directed the on campus fitness center while leading
all coaching duties which included recruiting, scheduling,
budget management, directing summer camps and summer leagues. In
July of 1991, Sonya returned to Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
to take over the reigns as head volleyball coach where
she remained for the next fourteen years. Some of
the distinctions honored to Sonya throughout her playing
and coaching career include:
- Black Coaches Association Female Coach of the Year,
2003
- Missouri Valley Conference Volleyball Coach of the Year,
2002
- Gateway Collegiate Atheltic Conference Volleyball Player
of the Decade, 2002
- Southern Illinois Univeristy Hall of Fame, 1988
- Southern Illinois University Athlete of the Year, 1982.
- National Sports Festival Midwest Volleyball Team, 1981
- AIAW All-American, 1981
Sonya helped out Team Indiana’s 15 Toucans last season
in her first year with the club. She is looking forward
to her participation in the club over the next several years.
