INDIANAPOLIS – Former Purdue First Team All-American Grace Cleveland has joined the Butler volleyball coaching staff. Head Coach Kyle Shondell made the hire official on Tuesday, Aug. 15. Cleveland will work as an assistant coach alongside Tyler Golsteyn and AJ Lux. Lauren Murray will serve as the program's director of operations in 2023.
 
"We're thrilled to be able to add Grace to our coaching staff," Shondell stated. "Someone with Grace's wealth of experience and accomplishments will be a tremendous asset to our athletes."
 
Cleveland was an outside hitter for the Boilermakers from 2018-2021. She became a full-time starter in West Lafayette in 2019 as a sophomore and was a unanimous All-Big Ten performer for the rest of her standout career. Cleveland was the fifth Boilermaker ever to be recognized as a First Team All-American. She left campus with 1,320 kills, 469 blocks, 423 digs, and 73 service aces. 
 
Originally from Bloomington, Ill., Cleveland attended Normal Community High School and was the 13th ranked recruit in the nation (PrepVolleyball) heading into the 2018 season. She was a Third Team All-American in 2019 (AVCA and VolleyballMag.com) and a First Team selection in the Spring of 2021.
 
Cleveland was one of just three players in Purdue program history to own over 420 career block assists (423). She ranks sixth all-time at PU in total blocks (469) and ninth all-time in attempts (3,599). Cleveland recorded 127 block assists in 2019 to rank 10th in program history in a single-season. She averaged 1.39 blocks per set the following year marking the seventh best performance at Purdue in a single season.

The Bulldogs will be in action this weekend with a Saturday exhibition match vs. UIndy at 1 PM. The start of the regular season lands on Aug. 25 this year with Butler hosting the Bulldog Brawl. BU will play Kent State and Fresno State on Friday followed by a single match vs. UC San Diego on Saturday.