Volleyball Coaching Staff
Michelle Orth — Head Coach
Head coach Michelle Orth joined the Lady Bulldogs coaching staff in 2012. She helped to guide the 2013 team to the National Tournament for the first time in school history. In 2016, she took over as the head coach. Now entering her ninth year as head volleyball coach, Michelle has an overall record of 93-155.
Michelle played at Lewis University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. In 2010, she graduated from Benedictine University with her Master’s Degree in Reading and Literacy.
She currently teaches 4th grade at Madison School in South Holland and resides in Highland Indiana with her husband Brian and two daughters, Taylor and Payton.
José Gonzalez — Assistant Coach
Bio to come.
Melva Smith — Assistant Coach
Assistant Coach Melva Smith joins the Lady Bulldogs coaching staff for her third season. Melva coached the Bulldogs previously in the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Melva left the Bulldogs in 2018 to complete her master’s program at Eastern Michigan University.
Melva helped lead the 2013 team to the National Tournament for the first time in school history. Melva earned NJCAA Second Team All-American honors in her first season with South Suburban and was a First Team All-Region selection. Led the nation in solo blocks, fourth in total blocking and points, and sixth in the NJCAA in kills. She was named to a pair of All-Tournament teams in her freshman season. Melva spent her next three years at NCAA DI College, Eastern Michigan University, where she played as an Outside Hitter, Middle Blocker, and Right Side Hitter. She graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and in 2021 with a Master’s degree in Public Administration.
Melva currently works at UIC and has a small business.