Gabryel “Gabby” Ording was named the Head Women’s Volleyball Coach at the University of the Incarnate Word in January 2023, becoming the eighth head coach in program history. She joined UIW after spending three seasons as Associate Head Coach at Southland Conference foe Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU).
In her first season leading the Cardinals, Ording guided the team to a 15-16 overall record—the most wins in a single season since the program transitioned to Division I in 2013.
She built on that success in her second year, setting new program records across the board. In 2024, UIW finished with a 17-11 overall record and a 9-7 mark in Southland Conference play, both single-season highs. Under her leadership, the Cardinals advanced to the semifinals of the Southland Conference Tournament for the first time since 2021.
Ording also played a pivotal role in the development of freshman setter and team co-captain, Calissa Allison. Allison appeared in 27 matches, playing the fourth-most sets on the team (103). She led UIW in kills (276) and service aces (24), ranked second in assists (494) and digs (299), and added 33 blocks. Highlights of her standout freshman campaign included:
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A season-high 20 kills vs. UTRGV in the SLC Tournament quarterfinals
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31 assists vs. Abilene Christian (Sept. 6)
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18 digs vs. UTSA (Sept. 7)
Allison was named MVP of the UTSA Invitational, earned SLC Setter of the Week honors, and set both the UIW and Southland Conference single-season records for triple-doubles (11). She recorded the second-most triple-doubles by a freshman in NCAA history and capped the year as a First Team All-Southland Conference selection.
Before arriving at UIW, Ording was instrumental in SLU’s rise to prominence. She helped lead the Lions to two of their winningest seasons since 2002 and guided them to their first Southland Conference Championship and NCAA Tournament berth. She also recruited and developed several standout student-athletes, including 2021 Freshman All-Southland selection and AVCA South Region Player of the Year, Cicily Hidalgo.
Prior to her time at SLU, Ording served as an assistant coach at her alma mater, Louisiana Tech University, where she spent seven years overseeing strength and conditioning programs, nutrition plans, and practice itineraries.
As a student-athlete at Louisiana Tech (2008–2012), Ording excelled as a middle and right-side hitter. She helped the Bulldogs achieve their most conference wins since 2002 and compete in four consecutive Western Athletic Conference Tournaments.
