Washburn University Athletics

Former Washburn All-American Shayla Conner enters her fifth season as the assistant coach of the Ichabods in the 2025 season. While at Washburn, the Ichabods have posted a 93-33 (.738) record while going 52-24 (.684) in the MIAA. 

In her four seasons on the sidelines Conner has helped guide Washburn to three NCAA Tournament appearances including a trip to the National Championship match during her first season full time in 2021 as the Ichabods went 31-6 on the year. In 2022, Conner helped Washburn to its first-ever MIAA Tournament championship.  

During her tenure at Washburn she has coached eight total AVA All-American selections and ten have earned All-MIAA first team honors.  

Conner was a setter for the Washburn volleyball squad from 2014-18 and played in 113 matches making 45 starts. As a senior, she was an AVCA All-American Honorable Mention, all-MIAA first team selection, four-time MIAA Specialist of the Week, and was named to the NCAA Central Region Championship All-Tournament team after turning in career-high stats. She helped the Ichabods to the NCAA National Semifinal match and was named the Washburn Female Athlete of the Year for the 2018-19 season. 
   
Conner graduated from Washburn with her bachelor’s degree in mass media and was a student assistant at the University of Missouri at Kansas City for the 2019-20 school year. She then served as a graduate assistant at Nebraska-Kearney before being named the assistant coach at Missouri Western in January of 2021. 
  
Conner is a Kearney, Nebraska native where she earned All-State honors three years while playing at Kearney Catholic High School. She led the Stars to two state championships and was the Class C1 Player of the Year her senior season.