Lewis University Athletics

The 2018 campaign is the eighth for Rudi Balich as an assistant coach for the Lewis University women’s volleyball program.

The Flyers own a 190-52 overall mark and 109-17 GLVC record since she began with the Flyers in 2011. Each of the seven squads she has assisted with have qualified for the NCAA Tournament, including a Final Four appearance in 2016. Lewis has earned 26 All-GLVC selections during her tenure.

Balich was a four-year starter at Division II Winona State. She finished her career second all-time in digs at Winona State with 2,145. She was named a co-captain from 2005-08. She was selected as the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Defensive Player of the Week three times. Academically, she was a member of the Deans’ List and an All-Academic selection each of her four seasons. Off the court, Balich was the women’s volleyball representative on Winona State’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee. While at Winona State, Balich was the head coach for Winona Area Volleyball. She designed and led practices for the 15-member team.

She has been a head coach for Powerhouse Volleyball since November of 2009. Balich ran private lessons, coached three different teams and traveled with teams to St. Louis, Mo. and Orlando, Fla. She was also the head coach of the St. Ignatius freshman A team.

Balich has taught third and sixth grade at Santa Lucia School in Chicago, Ill. She owns a masters in Reading Specialist from Lewis.