Alex DelPiombo Elevated to Head Coach of the Falcon Volleyball Program
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - BGSU Director of Athletics Derek van der Merwe has announced the promotion of associate head coach Alex DelPiombo to become the fifth head coach in program history. DelPiombo spent nine years on Danijela Tomic's BGSU staff.
DelPiombo, who joined Tomic's staff in 2016 and was elevated to associate head coach in 2019, takes over as head coach. She brings 13 years of coaching experience, including nine seasons with BGSU, during which the program posted a 186-91 overall record and a 125-32 mark in MAC play.
"The decision on where to go to find our next head coach of the BGSU volleyball team was simple," said van der Merwe. "Former head coach Danijela Tomic and I have been talking for over a year about how Alex DelPiombo is ready to lead and ready to be a head coach. She has had other opportunities to leave and be a head coach, but she has remained committed and loyal to the Falcons. I am honored that she has accepted this opportunity, and I am looking forward to working with her to sustain the standard of excellence that is expected of this program, which she has been integral in creating."
"I am deeply honored to be named the head coach of Bowling Green State University's Volleyball program," said DelPiombo. "I would like to thank President Rogers, Director of Athletics Derek van der Merwe and Deputy Athletic Director Stacy Kosiak for their trust and support. I am grateful for our players, and to our Bowling Green community, whose passion and commitment to our program is unmatched.
"My enduring gratitude to Danijela Tomic for her dedication and mentorship. Her foresight has resulted in a Standard of Excellence and set this program upon a championship foundation. I am excited to build on our BGVB championship legacy, supporting the growth of our student-athletes, and finding new successes while staying true to our BG Warrior spirit. Together with the players, staff, and this special community, we will continue to represent the highest traditions of Bowling Green State University. Ay Ziggy!"
"I am thrilled that Alex has been chosen as the next BGSU Volleyball Head Coach," said Tomic. "She has been integral to our success and has tirelessly worked and prepared for this great opportunity. Her knowledge, passion, and commitment to BGVB make her the perfect leader for the next chapter of the program's success. She truly cares about the development of our student-athletes both on and off the court, and I have no doubt she will continue to build on the strong foundation we have created together. The future of BGVB is in great hands, and I can't wait to see all the incredible things Alex and this program will achieve."
DelPiombo has been part of a staff that guided the Falcons to multiple MAC championships, including regular-season titles in 2017, 2018, and 2024, as well as both regular-season and tournament championships in 2020-21 and 2022. The team made five consecutive MAC Tournament Championship appearances (2019-2023), the longest streak since 2010, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament twice during her tenure.
The Falcons achieved a historic 2024 campaign, finishing 25-10 with a 16-2 MAC record, capturing the MAC Championship, and finishing as NIVC runners-up for the second time in program history. The team set records for aces in a season (231) and total blocks (335.5) during the Rally Scoring Era. Individual records included Alexis Mettille setting single-season and career hitting percentage records, and Lauryn Hovey breaking the Rally Scoring records for single-season and career aces.
DelPiombo has played a key role in the development of Falcon setters. In 2016, Isabelle Marciniak earned MAC Freshman of the Year and Setter of the Year honors, becoming the first Falcon to receive the latter award. Marciniak concluded her career with 3,196 assists, the second-highest total in program history. In 2021, Hanna Laube earned MAC Setter of the Year after averaging 11.23 assists per set, the seventh-highest single-season mark in school history. Laube also became the program's second Academic All-American.
Under DelPiombo's guidance, multiple players have earned MAC Player of the Year, including Kallie Seimet and Petra Indrova, both of whom won the award twice. Julia Walz was named MAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2021, and Lauryn Hovey earned MAC Freshman of the Year in 2022.
Before joining BGSU, DelPiombo served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Samford University and Morehead State University. At Samford, she helped the Bulldogs win the 2014 Southern Conference Championship and advance to the NCAA Tournament, where they pushed Alabama to five sets in the first round. During her time at Morehead State, the team achieved a conference-record 24-match winning streak and claimed back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference titles in 2012 and 2013, earning an NCAA Tournament berth in 2013.
As a player, DelPiombo was a decorated setter at Gannon University, where she served as team captain for two seasons and helped the team earn three NCAA Tournament berths. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications in 2012.
A native of Monroe, Mich., DelPiombo starred at St. Mary's Catholic Central High School, leading her volleyball team to a state title and earning All-State First Team honors twice.
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