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Staff Directory
- Title:
- Assistant Coach/Director of Basketball Strategy and Culture Development
- Email:
- Start Date:
- 05/31/2019
Liberty Athletics Hall of Famer Katie Mattera is beginning her seventh season with the Lady Flames after returning to her alma mater as a women’s basketball assistant coach in 2019-20. In this role, she primarily coaches the Lady Flames’ post players. Mattera also serves as director of basketball strategy/culture development for the squad.
During her first season on staff, Mattera coached Keyen Green, who became Liberty’s first-ever All-ASUN first team performer. She also oversaw the development of Mya Berkman, who made significant improvements in points per game (2.2 to 6.2), rebounds per game (2.8 to 4.8) and field goal percentage (35.0 to 62.4) from her freshman season.
In 2020-21, Berkman continued her ascent, breaking Mattera’s Liberty single-season field goal percentage record by making 68.9 percent for the season. Fellow post player Bella Smuda was a unanimous ASUN All-Freshman Team honoree.
During the 2021-22 campaign, Mattera coached a pair of first team All-ASUN post players in Berkman and Bridgette Rettstatt. Berkman then repeated as a first team All-ASUN performer in 2022-23 while leading NCAA Division I in field goal percentage (69.5).
Smuda came into her own in 2023-24, earning first team All-CUSA honors while becoming the first Lady Flame in 12 years to average a double-double. Her 77 blocked shots were the most since Mattera’s senior year of 2004-05.
Smuda then played a leading role in Liberty’s CUSA Championship season in 2024-25, earning CUSA Tournament MVP honors to punctuate her outstanding collegiate career.
Mattera previously served six seasons (2012-18) as head women’s basketball coach at Cornerstone University in her hometown of Grand Rapids, Mich. She posted a 112-78 coaching record and guided the Golden Eagles to a pair of NAIA National Tournament appearances (2014 and 2018) and the 2018 Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) Tournament title. Mattera was named the WHAC Champions of Character Coach in both 2017 and 2018.
Mattera also spent the 2018-19 season as an assistant coach for the Liberty Christian Academy girls’ basketball team.
Mattera led the Lady Flames to four straight Big South Conference titles and NCAA Tournament appearances during her time on the team, culminating with the aforementioned NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 run during her senior season (2004-05).
The 6-8 center became the Lady Flames’ first NCAA Division I All-American, earning Associated Press honorable mention recognition as both a junior and senior. She was the first-ever three-time Big South Women’s Basketball Player of the Year (2003, 2004 and 2005) and was named Big South Championship MVP during each of those seasons as well.
Mattera led the nation in field goal percentage in both 2003-04 and 2004-05, on her way to scoring 1,845 career points. She owns program records for career field goals made (764) and blocked shots (257).
After graduating from Liberty in 2005, Mattera embarked upon a successful professional career. She was selected with the No. 8 pick in the first round of the 2005 WNBA Draft and went on to be a unanimous WNBA All-Rookie Team selection for the San Antonio Silver Stars. Mattera played five total seasons in the WNBA, totaling 1,000 career points and helping the Detroit Shock reach the 2007 WNBA Finals.
Mattera’s five-year professional career also included time in China and South Korea. She represented Team USA in tournaments in Spain and Russia, helping her team win a silver medal in the 2007 FIBA World League Tournament.
Mattera is a part of three halls of fame, being inducted into the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame (2012), Liberty Athletics Hall of Fame (2015) and Big South Conference Hall of Fame (2016).
Mattera and her husband, Todd, have two sons, Liam and Jace.
Coaching Experience
2012-18: Six years, head women’s coach, Cornerstone
2018-19: One year, assistant girls’ coach, Liberty Christian Academy
2019-Present: Assistant women’s coach, Liberty
