Mikayla Ell

Biography

Head Coach Tony Graystone announced the hiring of Mikayla Ell as an Assistant Coach on his staff on April 7, 2025. Ell previously served as the Director of Volleyball Operations where she was first hired on April 18, 2023. "I'm proud to promote Mikayla from Director of Volleyball Operations to Assistant Coach,” said Graystone. “She’s done an excellent job as our DOVO, and I’m looking forward to working with her in this new role. Mikayla was a head coach in Missouri when I first hired her, and I know she’s excited to return to coaching. There’s no doubt she’ll have a positive impact and our players will love training with her.” Ell spent the last two season as Director of Volleyball Operations in the fall of 2025. In addition to her operations role, Ell spent the Big 12 portion of the 2024 season as an assistant coach where she worked with hitters and blockers. Ell comes from Stephens College in Columbia, Mo., where she was named the head volleyball coach for the 2022 season. During this time, Ell led the Stars to a record-setting year as the team posted its highest winning percentage and its first AMC playoff win in school history. Ell’s team led the AMC in digs per set and finished 3rd in both kills and aces per set. In addition, the Stars collected an impressive team GPA of 3.45. Prior to becoming the head coach, Ell worked with the Stars as their volunteer assistant coach. Furthermore, Ell has spent a combined eight years as a high school and club coach, as well as a club