Tracy Ainger-Schulte InfographicFresno Pacific University Director of Athletics Aaron Henderson has announced the hiring of Tracy Ainger-Schulte as head volleyball coach. An FPU alum and Hall of Famer, Ainger-Schulte returns to her alma mater after nine seasons as the head coach at Fresno City College.
"We couldn't be more excited to welcome back one of our own to lead such a storied program," said Henderson. "Tracy's experience as a player, a coach and a leader in the volleyball community is unmatched in the Central Valley. While her accomplishments in the realm of athletics speak for themselves, what really stands out is her character, her integrity, her unwavering faith and her passion for student-athlete success on and off the court. She has the ability to link this program's storied past with its bright future and I'm looking forward to seeing her build upon the tremendous volleyball tradition that's been established here."
During her tenure at FCC, Ainger-Schulte led the Rams to nine consecutive conference titles and two state Final Four appearances while earning Central Valley Conference Coach of the Year honors in all nine seasons. She posted an overall record of 205-45 to go with an extraordinary mark of 124-2 in Central Valley Conference matches.
 "I would like to thank President Richard Kriegbaum, Director of Athletics Aaron Henderson and the search committee for giving me this opportunity to be a part of the FPU community once again," said Ainger-Schulte. "I am humbled by God's goodness, and by His graces, in bringing me to this exact place, at this exact moment in my life. It is an honor to get to return to the place where it all started for me, as a player and a coach. I hope that my time and experiences at Fresno City College the past nine years will serve me well as I work to continue the tradition of success that has become synonymous with FPU Volleyball."
Prior to coaching at FCC, Ainger-Schulte spent three years on staff at FPU (2003-05) where she worked her way up to associate head coach. She was an integral part of the coaching staff for the program's 2003 national championship team.
Considered by many to be the greatest individual athlete in FPU Athletics history, Ainger-Schulte played at FPU from 1994-96 leading the Sunbirds to three straight GSAC titles and two NAIA Final Fours. She was a three-time First Team All-American with her career culminating in being named the 1996 NAIA National Player of the Year.
Despite playing just three seasons, she ranks first in program history in career digs (2,618) and digs per set (6.84), second in kills per set (4.54) and third in overall kills (1,737). Her 1,032 digs (7.22 per set) in 1994 remains the single-season school record. She holds FPU records for most digs in a match with 61 and most aces in a match with 12 (twice). Her #11 jersey is the only number in FPU Athletics' history to be retired.
Prior to FPU she starred in tennis and volleyball at Fresno City College. She attended Reedley High School where she was a standout three-sport athlete (volleyball, basketball, tennis) and was recruited heavily for basketball out of high school.
She has been inducted into three Hall of Fames: the NAIA Hall of Fame in 2003, the FPU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009 and the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010.
She also brings a strong academic background and will teach in the university's kinesiology department. Her FCC teams have been awarded the AVCA Academic Team Award and she has been instrumental to the kinesiology department at FCC, designing curriculum for multiple classes.
Ainger-Schulte becomes the sixth head coach in Fresno Pacific Volleyball history. FPU Volleyball has an all-time record of 985-255 in 34 seasons and has won six national championships and 17 conference titles.
