High Point University volleyball Head Coach Ryan Meek announced the hiring of Assistant Coach Shelby Cooper in May of 2025. Cooper joined the Panthers coaching staff after spending a season as an assistant coach with Division II Carson-Newman University, coaching the indoor and beach volleyball programs.
Cooper began her time at Carson-Newman as a graduate assistant for both programs before transitioning into an assistant role. During the 2024 indoor season, the Eagles finished 16-11 overall and 12-6 in the South Atlantic Conference. In beach volleyball, Carson-Newman posted a 25-7 overall record while going undefeated in conference play with a 12-0 record. The Eagles captured their first-ever South Atlantic/Conference Carolina's Championship Tournament title and went on to compete at the National Tournament.
Cooper played at William Peace University, a Division III program in Raleigh, N.C., where she graduated in 2023 after seeing action in 104 matches and 340 sets over four seasons. Over the past five years, the Youngsville, N.C. native has coached indoor and beach club volleyball in addition to being a student-athlete.
In 2022, Cooper was a first-team all-conference selection as an opposite tallying 3.10 kills per set on a .218 attack percentage chipping in 31 aces and 0.49 blocks per set.
For her career, the four-year starter was a four-time scholar athlete, four-time USA South All-Academic pick, Frazier Cup Award Winner and Valedictorian. On the floor, Cooper racked up 872 smashes, good for a 2.56 average, hitting .180 with 83 aces, 451 digs, 140 total blocks and 1,032 points.
