The Wayne State College Wildcats have bolstered their coaching staff in adding a new, yet familiar face with the addition of graduate assistant Rachel Walker. Walker spent six years on the team as a setter. 

Walker, as a player, found great success with the Wildcats. After redshirting her freshman season, she went on to start all 31 matches in 2019, as the Wildcats finished 24-7, yet lost in the first round of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference tournament to rival St. Cloud State.  

Since the 2020 season was cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Walker and the Wildcats had to resume play in the 2021 season, where they went 22-8. That season, WSC once again was knocked out by St. Cloud State, this time losing by a set in the NSIC semi-final. Walker was named a Second Team All-NSIC performer, finishing with 56 blocks (third on the team) and 25 service aces (enough for a third-place tie on the team). Against MSU Denver, she had her season high in assists with 54 on September 11, 2021, according to the WSC Athletics website. Earlier that day she also had 16 digs against Angelo State, which also ended up a season-high.  

Entering the 2022 season, Walker was one of the key pieces that helped WSC achieve a 30-3 mark, winning 24 straight matches until an upset loss to Southwest Minnesota State in late October. The Wildcats would face another first round exit in the NSIC Tournament, losing in five sets against Augustana. However, the Wildcats did host the NCAA Division II Central Regional tournament. After sweeping Harding, the Wildcats saw their season come to an end, once again at the hands of St. Cloud State. Walker earned national recognition, earning All-NSIC honors, AVCA All-America and All-Central Region honorable mention, playing in all 116 sets that season and averaging almost 11 assists per set, according to WSC Athletics. 

In Walker’s last season a season ago, the Wildcats posted a 31-3 mark, the best during her time as a player. The Wildcats again were defeated in the second round of the NSIC Tournament by St. Cloud, but went on to defeat ranked teams in Minnesota Duluth, Nebraska-Kearney, and another major rival in Concordia-St. Paul during the NCAA DII Central Region Tournament. Walker and the Wildcats made the Elite Eight, falling in five sets to eventual national champion Cal State Los Angeles. 

In that final season, Walker again received national honors as All-NSIC First Team and was again an AVCA All-Central Region selection, as listed on WSC Athletics. Walker had an average of 10.98 assists per set. This mark was third-best in the conference. Walker was also successful in the classroom, being named to the NSIC All-Academic Team three years in a row.  

Now, she turns her focus to using her previous experience as a player to helping the Wildcats be successful as a coach. 

“It’s obviously very different being on this side of the game, but I love it,” Walker said. She hopes to use her experience for players and coaches alike. “I’m just trying to be a tool for the girls, as somebody that’s kind of been there, done that, and also for the coaches, as someone who’s been there and done that on the other side.” 

 Scott Kneifl, entering his second decade as head coach of Wildcat volleyball, is excited to bring Walker onto the coaching staff.  

“Six years of setting at the college level, its great to have someone like that be around,” Kneifl said. “She was a great player for us, and I think she’s going to be a fabulous coach as well.” 

“It’s been great, I obviously loved playing for this program, so I really can’t imagine being anywhere else in the fall,” Walker said.