Utah State University Eastern Women's Volleyball

Alyssa Simmons enters her first year of coaching at the collegiate level as the newest member of the USU Eastern women's volleyball coaching staff.  Simmons is no stranger on campus as she competed as a three year starter for the Lady Eagle's volleyball program.  Simmons was an impact player who helped lead her team to multiple history-making milestones during her career including a first ever appearance in the conference championship (3 years in a row), the program's first national tournament (7th place finish), and first ever conference champions in fall of 2021.  A multi-year, all-conference recipient, Simmons brings a lot to the table as she begins her career on Eastern's coaching staff.   Coach Simmons earned her bachelor's degree in Communication Disorders and Deaf Education from Utah State University Eastern and will continue on to her master's degree in the Fall.    

A former standout at Utah State University Eastern, Atkinson played for the Eagles from 2023–25 and helped lead the program to one of its most successful seasons in school history. During the 2024 campaign, USU Eastern finished 25-8, earned a No. 5 national ranking, captured Region 18, SWAC Tournament, and District championships, and placed seventh at the NJCAA National Tournament. Individually, she was recognized as the Volleyball Academic Athlete of the Year and received the USU Eastern Salutatorian Academic Award as a freshman before earning Eagle of the Week honors as a sophomore. Following the team's championship season, the Eagles were presented with the keys to Price City in recognition of their accomplishments. A native of Wellsville, Utah, she is the daughter of Steven and Syndee Atkinson and has a younger sister, Kynzee, who competes in track and field. She earned an Associate of Science degree from Utah State University Eastern, completed her bachelor's degree in Accounting at Utah State University, and is currently pursuing a Master of Accounting in Taxation. She has quickly established herself as a successful volleyball coach at both the high school and club levels. She serves as the varsity assistant coach for Sky View High School girls volleyball, head coach of the Mountain Peak 16 National Black club team, and assistant coach for the Mountain Crest High School boys volleyball team. Her teams have earned multiple tournament championships, significant year-to-year improvements, and numerous individual postseason honors, including All-State, All-Region, and Academic All-State recognition.