Head Volleyball Coach
Jim Dietz is in his sixth season as head coach of the Lincoln Land volleyball program, compiling a 169-72 record in his first five years. In his first season as coach of the Loggers, Dietz led the team to a 29-21 record and its first post-season trophy as the squad finished as Regional Runner-Up (the equivalent of a super-sectional appearance). In 2007, the Loggers finished 38-14 and finished as Regional Runner-up again, losing to the team that finished third in the nation. The finish was similar in 2008 as the squad went 34-14, winning three tournaments, but finishing as Regional Runner-Up again, losing to a Final Four team for a third consecutive year. The 2008 squad ended the year ranked #18 in the nation, the first time in program history that Lincoln Land was in the national poll from the start to finish of a season while in 2009, the squad reached #12 in the national poll, finishing 34-12, losing in the finals to another Final Four opponent.
The 2010 season saw the squad win several more tournaments and finishing 34-11, losing a heartbreaker in game of five of the championship 13-15 on a ball that hit the net and trickled over. The season saw the selection of the program’s first NJCAA All-American as well as the first Conference Player of the Year, as the program again peaked at #12 in the national poll.
Dietz is a respected figure in central Illinois volleyball having built the St. Anthony High School program in Effingham, leading it to its first ever winning season, regional and sectional titles, first 30-win seasons (in any sport), as well as its first state-qualifying volleyball team, and in just eight seasons, became the winningest coach in St. Anthony history (for all sports).
As a high school coach and now at LLCC, Dietz has worked with other teams and area hospitals to begin charity matches, benefiting hospitals and organizations which help women fighting breast cancer. The "Pink Game" hosted by LLCC each year raises money for the Carol Jo Vecchie Women's Center.
Dietz is involved in club volleyball, having coached 12-under teams for the Fierce Volleyball Club in Charleston, Illinois, as well as co-founding the Capital Area Volleyball Club in Springfield. He also helped found the Crossroads Volleyball Club in 1997, serving as its technical director. Before that, he coached with the Twin City (Champaign) Volleyball Club. In addition to his work as a club coach, during the summer of 1999, Dietz worked as a volunteer coach for the World University Games team during their training under the tutelage of Ohio State head coach, Jim Stone, now head coach of the U.S. Junior National Volleyball Team.
Before moving to central Illinois and coaching club, high school, and junior high, Dietz worked three years as an assistant at Ohio State (including the 1994 Big Ten and NCAA Final Four squad) and for one year with the Iowa State and University of Illinios volleyball prorams.
Dietz has twenty years experience as an instructor and coach at the high school and college levels. He has an M.A. in History from the University of Illinois and an M.S. in English/Composition from Iowa State University.
Dietz is married to the former Julie Tresnak. They have three children: Erick (17), Brigitte (14), and Michael (10).
Email: Jim.Dietz@llcc.edu
Assistant Volleyball Coach
Kelly Wajda (pronounced VI-da) is entering her first season as a member of the Loggers coaching staff. Wajda is no stranger to Loggers volleyball, having played outside hitter at LLCC in 2006 and 2007 and being selected to the all-Region team her sophomore year. After finishing at Lincoln Land, Wajda played her final two seasons at the University of Illinois-Springfield.
Wajda has also served as a coach for two area club programs: Ambush Volleyball and the Capital Area Crushers, working with athletes from seventh grade through twelfth. She has also worked numerous volleyball camps and has served as a personal coach for several young volleyball players in the Springfield area.
In addition to being a outstanding athlete, Wajda was a standout student, graduating from LLCC as a member of the Phi Theta Kappa and as a member of the Honors Program. Currently, she is pursuing her master’s degree in Legal Studies through the University of Illinois.
Email: Kelly.wajda@llcc.edu