Do you want to play for a team that often contends for the National Title? Would you like to have a coach that cares about you more as a person than just a player. The Grace University volleyball program is that place. Excellence is the goal. Here at Grace we have a tradition of winning.

Our success is not only measured by the wins and losses but also by the spiritual development of the young Christian women that participate. The athletes are pushed to be excellent off the court just as much as they are on the court. At Grace University, you will be able to experience the true meaning of success.

Angie Taulborg:Head Coach

Head coach Angie Taulborg put Grace University on the women’s volleyball national map.  With exceptional personnel and an explosive offense scheme, Royal women’s volleyball has become a perennial powerhouse.  Taulborg has taken Grace Volleyball to the next level through year round training and conditioning.  She has a strong commitment to seeing the student athletes compete at the highest level, but more importantly her first commitment is to see the players mature in their walks with Christ.  She believes her greatest role is to be a mentor for the ladies she has a privilege of coaching.  

In April of 2003, Taulborg was named the 7th head coach of the Grace University volleyball program. In her eight seasons as head coach, she has led the Royals to a National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) National Championship, a second place finish, and three final four appearances.  She has been named the NCCAA Regional Coach of the Year four times and the National Coach of the Year in 2006.   Taulborg’s leadership produced 15 NCCAA All-Americans, including a two time Player of the Year.  She currently serves as the National Chair of NCCAA Div. II Volleyball.

A native of Omaha, Nebraska, Taulborg grew up in the Grace community.  Her father, Jim Classen, was the athletic director and coach for over thirty years.   It was Taulborg’s desire from a very young age to come and play volleyball at Grace.  After a successful high school career, Taulborg decided to play at Grace.  In 1998, she graduated from Grace University Summa Cum Lad with a bachelor’s degree in Bible Humanities.  Angela played for Grace during the three years she took to complete her degree. From 1995-1997, she was named to the Midwest Christian College Conference All-Conference first team each year and was selected as Most Valuable Player of the National Bible College Athletic Association (NBCAA).  She was also on the Southwest All Region Team of the NCCAA for the two seasons that Grace University was a part of the organization.  She was awarded the Grace University MVP award for two years and the Total Release Award during her final season.  During Taulborg’s last season at Grace (1997), the Royals went undefeated in conference, won the Midwest Christian College Conference Championship, and were back to back NBCAA National Champions (1996 & 1997).    

During her time as a student at Grace University, she met her husband, Mack.  They married in June of 1998.  Mack is a real estate agent with Keller Williams.  Angela stays home with their three sons, Caleb (5), Micah (3) and Jonas (1).

Kendra Evelend:Assistant Varsity Coach

Kendra has been part of the Grace University Volleyball program since 2002.  She played four years under Coach Taulborg & joined the coaching staff in 2006.

Kendra is originally from Kansas, played volleyball for Moundridge High School, & was on the 2A State Championship Runner-up team her junior & senior years.  There was never any doubt in her mind that she wanted to play college volleyball & in the fall of 2002 ventured to Omaha.  She received the Total Release Award her junior year & was an NCCAA Div II Scholar Athlete her junior & senior years.  Kendra graduated from Grace University Summa cum Laude with an Associate of Arts degree in May 2005 & transferred to the University of Nebraska at Omaha that fall to pursue a degree in Political Science.  She, however, had one year of eligibility left to play volleyball & wouldn’t pass up such an opportunity.  While a student at UNO, Kendra also enrolled in the required number of credit hours at Grace to maintain eligibility to play her senior year, fall 2005.  That year she helped lead her team to an NCCAA National Championship.  In 2007, Kendra graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha Magna cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science.

In June 2007, Kendra married Omaha native, Tim Eveland.  They have one son Carter (19 months) & another baby due in January.  Tim owns Alliance Medical Staffing, Inc.  Kendra stays home with Carter, manages a home cleaning business & works part-time as a political campaign fundraiser. 

Sarah Kaelin:Junior Varsity Coach

Sarah is a recent addition to Grace Volleyball Program and will serve as the Junior Varsity Coach. She welcomes her opportunity to be on the volleyball court at Grace with anticipation of teaching basic volleyball skills and encouraging growth of students athletically and spiritually.   

This fall season brings much to mind but one of thing stays the same for a volleyball player; anticipation of new season and memories of old. Sarah began playing volleyball as a little girl in her backyard with her family. She grew to participate in competitive volleyball through city leagues and high school teams. She peaked in her performance as a setter at Nebraska Christian College in the seasons of 2002 through 2006. Sarah was athletically recognized through conference, regional, and team awards throughout her collegiate career. In 2002 she was named Most Valuable Freshmen at Nebraska Christian College and in 2006 she received the Spiritual Leadership award for her team. She began to coach in the year 2009 for her alma mater Nebraska Christian College, where she led her team to the national tournament.

Coach Kaelin is also known as “Princess Sarah” to the children she serves outside of volleyball.  Sarah currently works as a Early Childhood Minister at First Christian Church in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and as a Pharmacy Technician at Wal-Mart.