A new era has begun for the University of Wisconsin-Superior volleyball program as head coach Molly Stock settles in on campus. Stock brings a blend of competitive ambition and early coaching experience as she looks to lead the Yellowjackets forward.
UWS women’s volleyball team in a line during the Nov. 8 game against St Olaf
Photo by Noa Mikami | Promethean
Stock is from Naperville, Ili, and played outside hitter at Benedictine University, where she began coaching club volleyball and later served as a student assistant with the men’s program. During her senior year, the men’s team advanced to the NCAA championship match, falling just short of a national title. Stock described that postseason run as the moment she realized she wanted to pursue coaching at the collegiate level. “I knew I really couldn’t see a future without volleyball in it,” she said.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in exercise science, Stock completed an MBA at Elmhurst University while working as a graduate assistant for the women’s team and continuing with Benedictine’s men’s program. She moved to Wisconsin in 2023 for assistant coaching roles with the men’s and women’s teams at UW-Stevens Point, an experience she said helped shape her coaching identity and led her to UW-Superior.
Stock arrived on campus in early January and immediately felt at home with the team, athletic department and school culture. “As soon as I stepped on campus, I knew it was a special place,” she said, adding that the kindness and welcoming atmosphere made the transition easy.
Her first priority was meeting the players. “The girls are phenomenal,” Stock said. “They are just a really unique and special group that I’m really excited to be a part of.”
Stock hopes to guide the Yellowjackets to a conference title in the 2026 season and believes the program can reach even higher. “This program has the potential to be very successful. We already are, but I’m talking NCAA level,” she said.
UWS Women’s Volleyball team going into a huddle during Sep. 30 game against St Scholastica
Photo By Alicia Zoltowski | The Promethean
On the court, Stock pushes her athletes to perform at their best. Off the court, she
focuses on building trust and advocating for them “in all aspects of their life.” Junior outside and middle hitter Katlyn Jones said the team already feels that balance.
“She obviously wants to win, but she wants to have a very fun environment for all of us and create relationships with us on a personal level,” Jones said. “I really like her. I think she’ll be great for us, and I think it’ll be very fun and a good change.”
That connection is already visible in daily interactions. Stock said players stop by her office throughout the day just to hang out, and their eagerness to begin the spring season even led to an earlier practice schedule.
With the spring season underway, Stock leads with confidence, empowerment and a clear vision for where the program can go next.
