Colorado State University Athletics
Hilbert Adds International Perspective to Coaching Staff
10/3/2019 9:59:00 AM | Volleyball
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Sonja Newcombe has never coached at the collegiate level before, but Colorado State head volleyball coach Tom Hilbert sees nothing but benefits by adding her to the staff in a volunteer role the remainder of the season.
Newcombe, who has been a member of the US National team as recently as 2017 and has played professionally since finishing an All-American career at Oregon in 2009, will help the squad in multiple arenas, Hilbert said.
"One, she can be a practice player and do a lot of dynamic and different things," he said. "That helps you prepare for opponents, but also, players watching players, they learn. She's also in the gym, sharing some of her knowledge. She hasn't been a college coach, but she's played at levels well beyond what these guys understand. She's seen so many different styles of play and so many different ways to solve problems, she can share that with our players."
Newcombe an outside hitter, was a second-team AVCA All-American in 2009 for the Ducks and has played professionally since in 10 different countries, all of them in champions leagues. It gives her a wealth of international experience and systems she can share with the current Rams' roster, including her play in the FIVB World Grand Prix in 2013 and the 2017 Pan-American Volleyball Cup.
Hilbert said those experiences can be shared with his players who are currently considering playing professionally upon graduation.
Newcombe spent the 2018 season playing for CSM Volei Alba Blaj in Romania.
Newcombe, who has been a member of the US National team as recently as 2017 and has played professionally since finishing an All-American career at Oregon in 2009, will help the squad in multiple arenas, Hilbert said.
"One, she can be a practice player and do a lot of dynamic and different things," he said. "That helps you prepare for opponents, but also, players watching players, they learn. She's also in the gym, sharing some of her knowledge. She hasn't been a college coach, but she's played at levels well beyond what these guys understand. She's seen so many different styles of play and so many different ways to solve problems, she can share that with our players."
Newcombe an outside hitter, was a second-team AVCA All-American in 2009 for the Ducks and has played professionally since in 10 different countries, all of them in champions leagues. It gives her a wealth of international experience and systems she can share with the current Rams' roster, including her play in the FIVB World Grand Prix in 2013 and the 2017 Pan-American Volleyball Cup.
Hilbert said those experiences can be shared with his players who are currently considering playing professionally upon graduation.
Newcombe spent the 2018 season playing for CSM Volei Alba Blaj in Romania.
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