DALLAS — Southern Methodist University volleyball was nothing more than a thought 25 years ago. However, that changed when Lisa Seifert stepped on campus. Her impact is greater than any win or conference championship the program has achieved. She’s the pioneer, the mother, the leader, and the head coach of the Mustangs.


What You Need To Know

  • Lisa Seifert has been the SMU volleyball head coach since the team’s inception in 1995

  • Seifert landed in Dallas after coaching at University of Wisconsin-River Falls and Texas Tech

  • SMU’s 4-0 start to the 2021 season is its best in 11 years

In sports, life isn’t measured by months, days, or years. It’s measured by seasons, which is just how Seifert likes it.

“Ever since I was a little girl, I always felt like myself when I was playing or competing in something,” said Seifert. 

That competitive fire has been burning in Dallas for the past 25 years. She’s been the head coach since the team’s inception in 1995.

Lisa Seifert. (Photo Courtesy: SMU Volleyball)

“They said build us a program,” Seifert said. “And it was so overwhelming. I think I sat in the office for like two days staring at a wall asking myself where do we start?”

She started with the most important element of building a college program: recruiting. Seifert’s recruiting pitch was simple and to the point.

“You’re going to play. You will be our starter,” she said.

That honest, yet genius marketing approach yielded more and more talent over the years. The Mustangs reached the NCAA Tournament in 2015 and 2016. This year SMU started 4-0, its best start to a season in 11 years. That success stems from the players. However, it’s also rooted in Seifert’s coaching style. 

Lisa Seifert speaks with her players. (Photo Courtesy: SMU Volleyball)

“She is a mother figure. She does have that side. But she’s also the most competitive woman I’ve ever met,” said junior setter Lily Heim.

Seifert is revered as a coach. But how she landed in the head coaching seat to begin with was by default during her days at University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

“I was the assistant at the time and the head coach was terminated midseason,” said Seifert. “They were like okay here you go Lisa. You are going to finish the year and I was like alright!”

By learning on the fly, she’s modeled some successful teams, all with the same end goal, the NCAA championship.

“I’ve been chasing that brass ring for 20 years. I can remember my mission statement being very clear that we will be a nationally recognized program,” said Seifert.

“That’s been our biggest goal since I got here freshman year, and it’s something that I’ve had my eyes on accomplishing,” Heim said. “Our theme around this season is championship mentality. So every time we step on that court, we have to play like a champion."

Clearly the Mustangs are thinking big picture with big games and big hardware in their future.