Since taking over the program in 2017, Shel DeLisle has rebuilt MATC women’s volleyball into one of the most stable and competitive programs in NJCAA Division II. Entering her ninth season in 2026, she carries a 120–119 all-time record — a reflection of both the early reconstruction years and the steady climb that followed. Her first roster went 2–18 as the program restarted, but that season laid the groundwork for the sustained success that has defined the Stormers’ modern era.
The turning point started in 2023, when MATC posted its first winning season at 20–15. The program took an even bigger leap in 2024, finishing 34–8, winning the Region 4 District A championship, and earning its first-ever berth in the NJCAA Division II National Tournament. MATC followed that breakthrough with a 30–12 campaign in 2025, the second-best season in school history, and a postseason run to the Region 4 Tournament semifinal round. Across the last three seasons, the Stormers have gone 84–35 overall, which marks a defining stretch that firmly established the program as a perennial contender.
DeLisle’s leadership even earned national recognition in 2025 when she was named one of three recipients of the AVCA–The Marines Battles Won Award, an honor given to coaches and players who exemplify resilience, leadership, and meaningful impact. Her teams consistently produce all-conference and all-region performers, academic award winners, and multiple NJCAA All-Academic Team honorees. The 2024 roster earned both the NJCAA All-Academic Team of the Year distinction and the AVCA Team Academic Awar
Outside of coaching at MATC, DeLisle brings extensive national and international coaching experience. She serves as an FIVB international coach for America’s Team, leading junior national teams to competition in Barcelona (2023), Australia (2024), Germany (2025), and soon to be Italy (2026). Furthermore, she is also a longtime coach and leader at Revolution Volleyball Academy (RVA), where she directs both the boys’ volleyball program and the Littles division (ages 10–12), in addition to serving as RVA’s college recruitment coordinator. She has coached players of all ages and genders, developed sand leagues, led positional training, and served as a private instructor and camp coach since becoming a part of the RVA in 2014.
As a mentor, DeLisle has presented at the 2025 AVCA Convention and through AVCA webinars, sharing insights on the “Four Agreements” and designing practice matrices. She holds a Master Coach designation, a Mindset Coaching certification, and has completed USAV CAP III, NFHS, and Badger Region coaching accreditations. She is also a 2025–26 Match Point Mentoring Program participant and has led teams at AAU and USAV Nationals, including guiding an 18U boys' team to a gold bracket finish at the 2023 AAU Nationals. At the high school level, DeLisle previously served as the assistant girls' varsity coach and JV boys’ coach at Kettle Moraine High School, and played a key role in developing the Kettle Moraine Middle School volleyball program.
Back in her playing days, DeLisle was a two-sport athlete at Marquette University, playing as a setter/defensive specialist for the Golden Eagles volleyball team and competing in indoor and outdoor track and field. On the track, DeLisle qualified for nationals in 1985 for the sprint medley relay — an event in which she still holds a top-10 record at MU. At Ozaukee High School, she was a multi-year captain, letter winner, and all-conference athlete in volleyball, basketball, and track. As a high school sprinter, DeLisle earned multiple state qualifications, held conference and school records, and was named Ozaukee High’s Senior Female Athlete of the Year.
In addition to her coaching and athletic achievements, DeLisle brings an array of real-world leadership experience. She was the first female firefighter/paramedic for the Wauwatosa Fire Department in 1998 before officially retiring as an officer in 2016. She holds a bachelor’s degree in interpersonal communication and international affairs from Marquette University, a master’s degree in organizational development and leadership from St. Joseph’s University, and is currently a doctoral candidate in integrative behavioral health at Paracelsus University. She also serves as a faculty member at UW-Oshkosh in Chief Officer and FERM programs and has served as a humanitarian aid team leader and disaster response trainer in both U.S. and international settings.
Her accolades include the U.S. Air Force Civilian Medal of Honor and the Braveheart Award for Humanitarian Work from the International Red Cross. Outside of volleyball, she is a beekeeper, animal rescuer, herbalist, and sound healer.
