Sarah Martin Steps Down from Indoor and Beach Volleyball Roles

Morehead, Ky. -- Morehead State Beach Volleyball head coach and indoor associate head coach Sarah Martin is stepping down to take a position with the American Volleyball Coaches Association as a Senior Director of Events.
 
Martin joined the Morehead State staff in 2018, and helped guide the indoor team to an OVC regular season and tournament championship during the 2020-21 season and coached the Eagles during the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament victory - a win over Creighton in Omaha, Neb. She also was a key part of MSU claiming an OVC regular-season title in the fall of 2021. Martin helped the Eagles return to the NCAA Tournament in 2024 and an OVC regular-season co-championship and a run to the OVC tournament finals in 2025.
 
In her position with the AVCA, she will be reunited with the organization's CEO, Dr. Jaime Gordon, who was Morehead State's director of athletics from 2019 to 2023. Prior to that Gordon had a 20 year run as the Eagles' head coach. His teams won four OVC championships and made four postseason appearances.  He is the all-time winningest coach in any sport at Morehead State with a record of 360-266.
 
"I am incredibly grateful for my time at Morehead State," said Martin.  "My experience isn't measured in the 8 years as a coach, but in the many relationships with student athletes, coaches, administrators and community.  Being part of two programs rooted in success on the court, in the sand, and beyond, is an experience I will cherish always."

After five seasons with the program, Martin was promoted to Associate Head Coach for the indoor squad and Beach Head Coach for the 2024 season.
 
Martin was a part of 154 Eagle victories in her time at Morehead State and four 20-win campaigns on the court. Olivia Lohmeier was named Ohio Valley Conference indoor Player of the Year twice during Martin's time on the Eagle staff. Bridget Bessler and Lohmeier were both four-time First-Team All-OVC honorees, and Bessler was the league Freshman of the Year in 2019.
 
In 2025, Martin helped guide M.E. Hargan, who was named OVC indoor Player of the Year and an Honorable Mention All-American. Hargan ended her career ranked in the top 10 in several categories in the Morehead State program record book.
 
"After eight years in our program, it's hard to fully put into words the impact Sarah Martin has had on Morehead State Indoor and Beach Volleyball. She has made every part of our program better and built relationships that will last a lifetime," said Morehead State head coach Kyrsten Becker-McBride.  
 
Martin is not leaving the program entirely. She will assume the volunteer role of Character Coach.
 
"While this is a bittersweet moment for our program, it's incredibly exciting for the sport of volleyball that someone with Sarah's passion, leadership, and heart will have the opportunity to help grow and shape the game in her new role with the American Volleyball Coaches Association," added Becker-McBride.   

"We're grateful that Sarah will continue to be part of our program as a character coach, where she will keep making an impact on the young women who represent Morehead State," added Becker McBride, who will also add the head coaching responsibilities for the Beach program.
 
"While it might look different, I'm excited to continue being part of our Morehead Volleyball and Beach Volleyball family as a character coach," said Martin.  "Because as we all know, once an Eagle, always an Eagle."