Whitney Nichols

Whitney Nichols joined the Millikin women's volleyball staff for the 2022 season as an assistant coach. She was promoted to Associate Head Coach before the 2023 season, then took over the helm as head coach ahead of the 2024 campaign. Nichols played two years at Illinois Central College and two years at Greenville University. A 2019 graduate of Greenville, Nichols received her Master's in Sports Management from the University of Dubuque while serving as a graduate assistant with the women's volleyball program. 

Since graduating from Dubuque in 2021, the Mt. Pulaski, Ill. native returned home to serve as the head volleyball coach in the Mt. Pulaski School District while also working as a licensed paraprofessional in the district. She recently coached Mt. Pulaski's junior high squad to a third place finish at the state finals. 

"I'm ecstatic, yet extremely thankful, to be joining Millikin University," Nichols said. "I first want to thank Athletic Director Craig White for giving me the opportunity to join the Athletic Department here at Millikin University and work alongside an incredible staff.  As for Coach Kiick, who is one of the best in Division III Volleyball, I want to thank her for giving me the opportunity to coach alongside of her and better all athletes who have the opportunity to play and represent Millikin.  Millikin University Volleyball is an elite program with rich tradition.  I cannot wait to get to work.  Go Big Blue!"

As a player at Greenville, Nichols was a part of two teams that reached the NCAA tournament. In her first season as a graduate assistant at the University of Dubuque, the team won the American Rivers Conference Tournament and made the NCAA Division III Tournament.Â