Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina head volleyball coach Karen Glover announced the addition of Madison Konopka as an assistant coach for the upcoming 2026 season. A four-year standout on the volleyball hardwood, Konopka spent her last two seasons at Jacksonville State in Alabama after playing her first two years at Binghamton in New York.
Konopka joins second-year assistant coach Katie Butler, who was promoted to the full-time assistant coach spot following last season.
During her two seasons at Jacksonville State, Konopka played 182 sets over 48 matches for the Gamecocks. The Northbrook, Ill. native totaled 301 digs defensively, posting double-digit digs over 12 matches over her two years in Jacksonville, highlighted by her best performance of 20 digs against Sam Houston State in 2024. She added 46 aces at the service line.
In two seasons at Binghamton, Konopka was a two-time American East Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll recipient, along with the AD Honor Roll. She played in 49 matches spanning 179 sets with the Bearcats, totaling 679 digs. She led BU with 357 digs as a freshman in 2022, while also tying for the team-best with 34 aces.
Konopka finished her collegiate career with 1,028 digs, 105 service aces and 195 assists between Binghamton and Jacksonville State.
As a prep, Konopka was a three-time all-conference selection at Glenbrook North High, while also earning a pair of team MVP honors in her freshman and senior seasons. She helped lead the squad to a 2022 Windy City Power League Title. She was also a member of the National Honor Society and an Honor Student.
Konopka is a 2026 graduate from Jacksonville State, earning a degree in history.
Preseason practice for the Catamount volleyball team continues ahead of the squad's lone exhibition match against Anderson University scheduled for Friday, Aug. 21, at 6 p.m. on Ingles Court at the Ramsey Center. WCU opens the 2026 season a week later against Butler at Clemson's Big Orange Bash in the first of two early-season tournaments before opening its home schedule on Tuesday, Sept. 8, against Gardner-Webb.
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