Southeastern Community College

Coach Michelle Popkin finished her sixth season at the helm of the Blackhawks volleyball program in November 2023. In her time here, she has guided SCC to a 118-105 (.529) overall record and has qualified for the Region XI Tournament each year. For the 2023 season, the Blackhawks went 24-17, finishing 5-6 in Conference, receiving National Votes for three weeks in a row. The 2023 campaign proved to be beneficial as 43 school records were recognized between single set, match, and all-time categories. Additionally, 12 Blackhawks were named to the fall Academic All Region First and Second Team list with a team cumulative of a 3.37 GPA. The Blackhawks ranked second Nationally for overall digs and digs per set, and honored three Blackhawks to the All-Conference list.

A 2014 graduate of the University of Jamestown with a degree in psychology, Popkin earned three trips to NAIA Nationals for both volleyball and track as a student assistant coach, and student-athlete, respectively. She ranks on the school’s top 10 list for the high jump and pentathlon, and finished 11th overall at the 2014 NAIA National Track and Field Championships in the high jump. As a student volleyball assistant from 2013-2014, Jamestown won the NSAA Conference title twice and appeared in 2013 to its first NAIA National Championship Tournament in history under Coach Jon Hegerle.  

Prior to attending Jamestown, Popkin competed for two seasons at Olympic College in the NWAC under Coach of the Year Beth Donnelly, and one season at Boise State University as a walk on for track and field. At Olympic, she helped her squad to a Conference Championship and Regional appearance while tabbing All Star honors and OC's defensive athlete of the year. Popkin also placed second overall in the high jump at the NWAC Championships earning All American honors. 

In high school, Popkin was a 2 sport letterman. She helped Borah High School to three 5A State Team Championships for track and field. As a captain for volleyball her senior year, she helped her team to the state play-in game under Coach Lindsey Yundt. 

Popkin holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Jamestown and M.A. from Arkansas State in Sport Administration. She teaches in the Sport Management track at SCC on top of her coaching duties. Popkin currently resides in West Burlington with her husband Brady and son Maverick.