Kari Thompson begins her fourth season as MSUM's head volleyball coach in the fall of 2026. She was elevated to the post in April of 2023 after being MSUM's top assistant coach for two seasons.
Moorhead volleyball continued its upward trend under Thompson's leadership in 2025. The Dragons secured a five-win improvement from 2024, going 14-15 overall. MSUM also won seven NSIC matches, a three-win improvement from the 2024 season. The 14 wins by Moorhead in 2025 is the highest total since the 2015 campaign. MSUM began the season a perfect 5-0, marking the first time since 2017 a Dragon team began the year with five straight victories.
2024 saw the Dragons go 9-17 with senior middle blocker Abby Thompson earning All-NSIC Second Team honors. In 2023, Thompson and the Dragons finished the year with a 7-20 record while senior outside hitter Bridget Witzmann was named an All-NSIC Second Team performer.
"Kari registers high in our Dragon core values. Her grit will serve us well and we have been fortunate to have Kari on our staff the past couple of seasons," said MSUM athletic director Chad Markuson. "She has played a significant role in the upward trajectory of our program. I am excited to have her continue to grow our volleyball program. I am looking forward to her leadership both on the volleyball court, but also within the athletic department."
A native of Amherst, Wis., Thompson brings 18 years of NCAA volleyball coaching and playing experience to MSUM.
Thompson served as the head volleyball coach at North Dakota State from 2010-17 compiling a 102-98 record. She led NDSU to two Summit League tournament championships and to two NCAA appearances. She coached 12 All-Summit League selections. From 2006-10 she was an assistant at NDSU.
After her time at NDSU, Thompson served as the head coach at Southern Illinois from 2017-18.
Thompson was a three-year volleyball player at Division I Wisconsin-Green Bay, earning three letters.
Thompson graduated from Wisconsin Green Bay in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in communication and the arts. She earned a Master’s of science in health, nutrition and exercise science in 2018 from North Dakota State.
