Bobbi Petersen

Record at UNI: 609-217

When thinking about the tradition-filled history of UNI volleyball, few names jump out like Bobbi Petersen’s.  A former standout on the court for UNI - and arguably the greatest player in the school’s history - she has continued her connection with the Purple and Old Gold as both an assistant coach and as the head coach.  Under her guidance, she has taken UNI volleyball from its usual standard of excellence to a tier among the nation’s elite programs.

Petersen completed her 25th year as the head coach of the Panthers in 2024.  She has compiled an impressive 609-217 record at the helm including 18 NCAA Tournament appearances, 12 Missouri Valley Conference regular season titles, 12 MVC tournament championships, and two NCAA "Sweet 16" appearances.  Petersen has been named MVC Coach of the Year a record nine times (2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024). Petersen has also earned AVCA All-Region Coach of the Year honors four times (2001, 2002, 2018, 2019) and took home the AVCA National Coach of the Year award in 2002. Her Panther teams have won 20 or more matches in 21 of her 25 years as head coach.

During her tenure as head coach, Petersen has coached 69 individuals earn First Team All-MVC honors including 15 conference Player of the Year winners.  She has also placed 23 people on the league’s All-Freshman Teams. In addition, she has helped 37 individuals earn AVCA All-Region honors, and 16 Panthers have been named AVCA All-Americans.

Academically, the Panthers have shined under Petersen’s guidance as well. A total of 44 people have earned First Team MVC Scholar-Athlete honors during her time at the helm with 13 women earning College Sports Communicators Academic All-America honors.

Petersen and her husband, Duane, reside in Dike. They have two sets of twin daughters, Baylee and Sydney, and Jadyn and Payton. Both Baylee and Sydney played for the Panthers, with Sydney joining the UNI roster in 2022 after four seasons as a libero at the University of Texas. Jadyn is in her freshman season playing for UNI in 2024, while Payton is playing collegiately at the University of Louisville.