Livingstone Named Assistant Volleyball Coach at Liberty

Liberty Volleyball Head Coach Trevor Johnson has announced the addition of former Baylor volunteer assistant Shelby Livingstone to his coaching staff as an assistant coach.

“We are very excited to welcome Shelby Livingstone to our Volleyball family!” Head Coach Trevor Johnson said. “Shelby is not only a great athlete, but an even better person who loves the Lord, and is passionate about seeing young women grow, not only spiritually and socially, but academically and athletically as well. Shelby understands that there is more to life than just the wins and losses. She is excited to share the Gospel through the sport of volleyball. Her experience will be invaluable to our program. Shelby has been successful wherever she has been, whether as a player at Rice University, or as a volunteer coach helping Baylor reach the Final Four.”

Livingstone brings high-level playing and coaching experience to Liberty Mountain. She was a starter for an NCAA Tournament team at Rice and served on Baylor Head Coach Ryan McGuyre’s staff for three seasons as a volunteer assistant.

While at Baylor, she aided the Bears to a combined 71-15 record, a Big 12 regular season title and three straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including a National Semifinal berth. Livingstone was pivotal in the faith and family aspect of the Baylor volleyball program, continually mentoring the players in their spiritual and athletic growth.

During her first year at Baylor, she helped the Bears to their best season in program history to date. That year, Baylor shared the Big 12 regular season title and made it to the NCAA Division I Volleyball Final Four in Pittsburgh, Pa. Baylor earned the No. 1 national seed in 2019 behind first-team All-Americans Yossiana Pressley, Shelly Stafford and Hannah Lockin.

The 2021 season saw Baylor post its sixth straight 20-win season, while the Bears reached the NCAA Regional semifinals. Livingstone aided in the training of All-Americans Yossiana Pressley and Avery Skinner, as well as Big 12 Setter of the Year Hannah Sedwick.

While playing at Rice, she was a five-year letterwinner (2014-18). During her senior year, she recorded 205 kills and 367 digs, helping the Owls earn Conference USA regular season and tournament titles while punching their ticket to the 2018 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship.

Academically, she was named to the Conference USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll and earned Rice’s C-USA Spirit of Service Winter Award and Scholar-Athlete Volleyball Award during her collegiate career.

She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and cognitive science in Dec. 2018 from Rice. She graduated with her Master's of Divinity with a concentration in Sports Ministry at Baylor's Truett Seminary in May of 2022.

Livingstone was a mainstay in Baylor's Fellowship of Christian Athletes, where she organized and led student meetings and aided the leaders of organization. She was also the graduate assistant of the Faith and Sports Institute at Baylor in 2022.

Livingstone is the daughter of Baylor President Dr. Linda Livingstone and First Gent Brad Livingstone.

What they’re saying:

Baylor Head Coach Ryan McGuyre

“Shelby was an exceptional leader and coach for us at Baylor. She connected well with the athletes, was an amazing role model, and a great spiritual mentor. She saw the game well and communicates in an encouraging and inspiring manner. She knows how to build people up and bring out the best in them.”

Baylor senior outside hitter Lauren Harrison

“Shelby was like the team big sister while also being someone we could go to for volleyball advice. She always walked around radiating joy with a big smile on her face!”

Baylor sophomore L/DS Lauren Briseño

“Shelby is such a wise human being. She is so easy to talk to and her presence is so calm. I truly am going to miss her wisdom and sitting with her on the sideline.”