Ouachita Stories

Allison Frizzell-Kizer, a 2013 graduate of Ouachita Baptist University, has been named Ouachita’s head volleyball coach effective Jan. 15. She succeeds her former coach, Danny Prescott, who served 14 years as head volleyball coach at Ouachita.

Frizzell-Kizer has served since 2014 as head women’s volleyball coach for Lakeside School District in Hot Springs, earning 5A South Coach of the Year honors all four seasons. She also taught mathematics and coached women’s soccer for three seasons.

Frizzell-Kizer, who graduated cum laude from Ouachita, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in secondary education and mathematics and a minor in coaching. She also holds a Master of Science in Education degree in educational leadership from Henderson State University.

“It is with great excitement that we announce Coach Frizzell-Kizer to lead the Ouachita volleyball team,” said Ouachita Athletic Director David Sharp. “Allison brings a quiet confidence along with the outstanding records and accolades she has earned as a coach.

“She demonstrates the same leadership and skills as a coach that she displayed as an all-conference volleyball player for Ouachita,” he added. “I know our team will be excited and challenged as they prepare for the 2018 volleyball season.”

“I am beyond blessed that Ouachita is giving me the opportunity to come back home and to now coach the beloved sport and be in the program that I played in,” Frizzell-Kizer said. “I want to thank Danny Prescott for his legacy at OBU and creating a firm foundation for the volleyball program. I also want to thank Dr. Ben Sells, David Sharp and Margaret McGraw for allowing this dream job to come true.”

As a Ouachita Tiger volleyball player, Frizzell-Kizer served all four years as a team captain. She was named the Gulf South Conference West Freshman of the Year and Ouachita Volleyball Defensive Player of the Year in her freshman season. She also was named to the GSC West All-Academic Team and Ouachita Volleyball Outstanding Player of the Year as a sophomore.

During her junior year, Frizzell-Kizer was named to the Great American Conference First Team and was honored as the GAC’s Female Athlete of the Year. As a senior, she was named Ouachita’s Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year and was Ouachita’s nominee for NCAA Woman of the Year. While in graduate school, she served as Coach Prescott’s graduate assistant.

“I have a passion for this sport and want to instill that passion into others,” Frizzell-Kizer said. “I feel Christ has led me back home and He is the one who allowed this door to open and I cannot wait to get started glorifying Him in this new avenue. I want to make Ouachita proud and will be dedicated to upholding Ouachita’s Christ-centered mission and values.”

She also expressed appreciation to her former school, Lakeside School District, “for their faith in me to lead the volleyball program. My time and experiences there will not be forgotten. I was welcomed there with open arms and I will be forever grateful for that family.”

By Trennis Henderson, OBU Vice President for Communications