All-American setter Jessica Lucas is making the move from Bowling Green, Kentucky, to West Lafayette, Indiana, to continue her volleyball career, this time from the sideline as Purdue’s new graduate assistant coach.
Lucas, a four-time AVCA honorable mention All-American and three-time Conference USA Setter of the Year, is Western Kentucky’s career assists leader (5,338). The Seymour, Indiana, native also managed 1193 digs (2.50 per set), 646 kills (1.35 per set) and 282 blocks (0.59 per set) as well as 84 aces and 38 double-doubles. Her 251 block assists rank ninth in WKU career lore.
In 2017, Lucas posted 10 assist/dig double doubles, while guiding the Lady Toppers to a .332 team hitting effort. She dished out 11.02 assist per set, served up 22 aces and added 2.26 digs per set, while leading WKU to a 31-4 mark and NCAA second round appearance. In addition to AVCA All-America nods, Lucas was tabbed as an honorable mention selection by prepvolleyball.com and VolleyMag.com. She also earned Senior CLASS Award first team All-America honors.
Off the court, Lucas earned Conference USA All-Academic Team honors her final two seasons.
A four-year starter and two-time all-state honoree at Seymour High School, Lucas played club volleyball with the renowned KIVA volleyball club in the Louisville area.
Lucas will join a Purdue staff, which has been together for 15 seasons behind head coach Dave Shondell. The staff has led the Boilermakers to 12 NCAA second round appearances in the last 14 years, making the school one of just 11 programs nationally to achieve the feat. Purdue has been to seven Sweet 16s in the last 14 seasons, making the team one of 15 nationally.
I am happy to announce that I have accepted a Graduate Position with the Purdue University volleyball program. Although WKU will always be home and will always have a special place in my heart, I can’t wait to start this new chapter of my life back in my home state! #boilerup
— Jessica Lucas (@JessicaMoLucas) March 28, 2018
Our @PurdueVB squad is very fortunate to have Jessica joining our program. She will be a difference-maker for us just as she has been everywhere else. We can’t wait for her to get started. https://t.co/l9fJsfRKqe
— Dave Shondell (@DaveShondell) March 28, 2018
Wishing @JessicaMoLucas the best of luck as she takes the next step of her volleyball journey!
Thank you for being a first-class representative for WKU on and off the court! You're getting a good one, @PurdueVB! #GoTops https://t.co/NPlD9BSCVu
— WKU Volleyball (@WKUVolleyball) March 28, 2018
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