Head Coach Warren Thomas

Coach Warren Thomas is entering his eleventh season as Head Volleyball Coach with an overall record of 151-190 in NJCAA Region 24 and Great Rivers Athletic Conference (2012-2021). While in one of the toughest NJCAA Region’s in the country, he continues to dedicate himself growing the volleyball program to high competitive heights. He led his team to success reaching 2021 Co-Conference Champions, first in 15 years.  

Thomas previous coaching positions have been in the United States Air Force with men’s and women’s club volleyball teams at various locations worldwide, along with playing internationally for the European Armed Forces Team and participating on German National League teams.  Additionally, he was the varsity head coach for girls’ volleyball at Alamogordo High School (Division 5A), Alamogordo, New Mexico, where he coached for seven years.

 Thomas currently coaches under the Gateway USA Volleyball organization out of St. Louis, MO (10 years running). He is the Director of H2 St Louis-Illinois Club Division and is USAV CAP (Coaches Accreditation Program) I and II certified.  He is a graduate from New Mexico State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education.   Thomas is also retired Air Force, enlisted for 28 years. Volleyball has been a major part of his life, playing and/or coaching, for over 40 years.

Assistant Coach Alexis Chambers

Coach Alexis Chambers enters her first season at SWIC.  She attended Gibault Catholic High School in Waterloo, Illinois where she was a two year starter on the volleyball team and received Republic Times All-Local recognition. She played club volleyball under the Gateway USA Volleyball organization for three seasons with Route 3 Volleyball Club and one season for Sparta Volleyball Outlaws.

After high school Chambers played one season at SWIC as a right side hitter and middle blocker. She then transferred to Greenville University (GU) to study Middle Grades Science Education. In addition to being a member of the women’s volleyball program at GU, she also played basketball and threw shot put for the women’s track & field team.

Chambers has been coaching Gateway USA Volleyball for five years. She formerly coached at Route 3 Volleyball Club before moving to Metro East Vortex, where she took on the role of club director. She has also volunteered her time to many local high school and middle school volleyball programs in the Metro East Area.