UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley announced on Tuesday the addition of Sarah Tischler as the director of operations on the women's volleyball staff. Tischler comes to Happy Valley after spending the past three seasons in the same role at Alabama.
“I am thrilled to welcome Sarah, Will, and their families to Penn State,” Schumacher-Cawley said. “Sarah’s passion for making an impact is undeniable, and her drive to help Penn State Volleyball reach new heights aligns perfectly with our vision for the program. She brings a tireless work ethic, a commitment to excellence, and an understanding of what it takes to sustain success at the highest level. She fits in with my vision and how she can help the program achieve greatness on and off the court. I have no doubt that Sarah will play a crucial role in shaping the future of our program, and I am excited to see the positive influence she will have on our team, our culture, community, and the Penn State Volleyball family.”
Tischler brings a wealth of volleyball knowledge to Penn State as a player, coach, and member of the support staff. Her three seasons in Tuscaloosa coincided with the beginning of a new coaching staff as she helped transition the program into a new era in her role as the director of operations. She took on the new role after honing her coaching skills as an assistant for three seasons at the Division I and II levels.
Tischler’s first collegiate coaching experience came at her alma mater, Illinois Springfield. She spent two seasons with the Prairie Stars, helping the team go 44-22 during that time. The 2018 season still stands as the best in program history since joining the NCAA in 2010. The Prairie Stars finished 25-8 overall, won their first GLVC regular season title, and advanced to NCAA Tournament for the first time.
Following her time at Illinois Springfield, Tischler went on to Drake, where she spent one season as an assistant coach. She left that position to join the Crimson Tide as the director of operations.
Tischler has two degrees from the University of Illinois, Springfield. She earned a bachelor’s degree in visual arts in 2017 and then added a master’s in communications in 2020. Tischler played four seasons of collegiate volleyball, including one at UW-Oshkosh and the final three with the Prairie Stars, and earned the team’s Coaches Award following her senior year. In addition to her time in Springfield, she assisted with the Sports Performance Volleyball Club in Aurora, Illinois for five seasons, hosting high-level training camps across the country.