Joelle Kissell Named Head Coach of the WMU Women’s Tennis Program – Western Michigan University Athletics

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Western Michigan University Vice President/Director of Athletics Dan Bartholomae announced the hiring of Joelle Kissell as the new head coach of the women’s tennis program. Kissell joins the Broncos with a distinguished background as both a professional player and a collegiate coach, bringing a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success.
 
Kissell recently served as an assistant coach for the Wichita State women’s tennis team, where she made a significant impact since joining in August 2022. During the 2023-24 season, she played a pivotal role in guiding the Shockers to a national ranking as high as No. 55. Under her guidance, the team secured victories over two ranked opponents and swept 10-seed Tulsa in the opening round of the 2024 AAC Championship.
 
“We are thrilled to be bringing in such an accomplished tennis professional as Joelle to lead our women’s tennis program.  She is well respected throughout the industry and is considered a rising star as a collegiate coach,” said Bartholomae. “Her leadership is complemented by an extraordinary career as a collegiate student-athlete and accomplished professional on the Pro Circuit.  Most importantly, it is clear that her commitment to the development of student-athletes will create a lasting impact on the young women in our tennis program.”
 
Before her tenure at Wichita State, Kissell spent the 2021-22 season as an assistant coach at West Virginia University. Her coaching journey also includes three seasons (2018-21) as a graduate assistant coach at Seton Hill University, an NCAA Division II institution in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and a year as an assistant at Western Carolina (2014-15).
 
Kissell’s coaching career is complemented by an impressive professional playing career. From 2012-2022, she competed nationally and internationally on the ITF Pro Circuit achieving a career-high ranking of 781. In 2018 she won doubles in the Cairo 13 ITF Tournament. Her collegiate career at NC State was equally remarkable. Over four years, she amassed a then school-record 107 combined singles and doubles dual victories, becoming the first three-time All-ACC selection in Wolfpack history. Additionally, she broke the record for the all-time winningest tennis player in school history. She qualified twice for the NCAA singles tournament, advancing to the Round of 32 as a sophomore.
 
“I couldn’t be more excited to be joining Western Michigan University as Women’s Tennis Head Coach. I want to thank Dan Bartholomae, Keanah Smith, and the entire search committee for placing their trust in me to lead the Broncos as we chase excellence both on and off the court,” said Kissell. “Throughout the interview process, it was clear that Western Michigan is a special place with exceptional talent and I am honored to be a part of the Bronco Family. I am forever grateful to everyone who has helped and guided me along the way. I can’t wait to work with the student-athletes as we embrace championship culture and look to add to the legacy of excellence. Go Broncos!”
 
Academically, Kissell excelled, earning academic all-conference honors in each of her last three seasons and obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Communication from NC State in 2014. She also earned a MBA in Project Management from Senton Hill in 2021.
 
A native of Hostetter, Pennsylvania, Kissell was a five-star recruit out of high school, ranking 46th nationally according to TennisRecruiting.net. She won Pennsylvania’s AAA state singles title as a senior and a state doubles crown as a freshman.
 
What they are saying about Joelle Kissell
“Western Michigan and Athletic Director Dan Bartholomae have made a fantastic hire in Joelle Kissell. An athletic department I have always known as synonymous with competitive excellence, the Broncos have landed an up-and-coming star in college coaching. As a player and now coach, Joelle has used veracious energy and relentless competitiveness to raise the level of her peers, her student-athletes, and herself to reach their full potential. With great resources, facilities, and staff around her, I am confident that Joelle will lead Western Michigan Women’s Tennis to MAC championships in the near future!” – Michael Woodson, Head Men’s Tennis Coach, Baylor University
 
“This is a well-deserving step for Joelle to take over as a head coach at Western Michigan University. She has grown through the years of coaching and is ready to lead her own program. Western Michigan University is getting a passionate coach who is committed to doing things the right way and building a winning program. I see this hire as an absolute home run.” – Miha Lisac, Head Women’s Tennis Coach, West Virginia University
 
“Joelle checks all the boxes. She is a compassionate leader who puts others before her. She has an outstanding playing background that will serve her well as a coach, but more importantly, she has been hungry and eager to learn and grow and is ready to take off. She works hard in every aspect of the profession and I’m excited to watch her make an immediate and impactful difference in the games and lives of her new team.”  – Colin Foster Head Women’s Tennis Coach, Wichita State University
 
“Joelle Kissell will be a tremendous head coach and leader for the women’s tennis program at Western Michigan University.  Joelle has a true passion for what it means to bring a group of people together to become a team.  Her love for the sport of tennis gives her the drive and enthusiasm to propel Bronco’s women’s tennis to new heights.”  – Hans Olsen, Head Women’s Tennis Coach, UNC Wilmington