Colorado State University Athletics
Anderson Rejoins Colorado State Volleyball Coaching Staff as Assistant Coach
12/21/2022 12:38:00 PM | Volleyball
Blackman and Olmstead to stay in original positions under Kohan
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Colorado State volleyball Head Coach Emily Kohan announced Wednesday the addition of Sonja Anderson to her coaching staff as an assistant coach.
"Sonja Anderson has proven herself to be an invaluable part of every team she's been a part of for her entire career," Kohan said. "She has been exposed to volleyball at the highest level in the world and brings a wealth of training and education to our gym. Most importantly, she's one of the most caring and genuine people you will meet and the players will feel her love for them every day."
Anderson rejoins the Colorado State coaching staff after serving as a volunteer assistant coach for the Rams from August 2020 until December 2021.
After graduating from the University of Oregon in 2010, Anderson (Newcombe) entered the professional volleyball world and played overseas professionally for 12 years. Playing for teams in 10 different countries including Brazil, Italy and China, Anderson also represented Team USA for four years during her professional career from 2014-2017.
Within those 12 years of playing professionally, Anderson was in and out of the coaching world as she spent the 2018 NCAA volleyball season at her alma mater, Oregon, as an interim assistant coach. Anderson has also offered private coaching lessons since 2020 where she shares her experiences and expertise around the sport of volleyball one-on-one with athletes across ages and skill levels.
During her time at Oregon, Anderson was a team captain that led the Ducks to four-straight NCAA Tournament appearances. While earning All-American honors in her junior season. She broke the all-time points record during her senior season with the Ducks and currently ranks 8th in career kills in Oregon program history.
After being announced as the new Head Coach of Colorado State volleyball last week, Kohan also reassured fans that current Assistant Coach and former All-American in a Ram uniform, Adrianna Blackman, as well as former CSU Volleyball stand out and current Director of Operations, Bri Olmstead will both stay on staff in their original positions.
"There aren't very many all-female staffs in the country, but what a great opportunity it is for our team to have a high-level training and role models in the same gym," Kohan said.
The Rams will enter the off season as they begin to finalize their 2023 fall schedule and continue recruiting future Rams.
"Sonja Anderson has proven herself to be an invaluable part of every team she's been a part of for her entire career," Kohan said. "She has been exposed to volleyball at the highest level in the world and brings a wealth of training and education to our gym. Most importantly, she's one of the most caring and genuine people you will meet and the players will feel her love for them every day."
Anderson rejoins the Colorado State coaching staff after serving as a volunteer assistant coach for the Rams from August 2020 until December 2021.
After graduating from the University of Oregon in 2010, Anderson (Newcombe) entered the professional volleyball world and played overseas professionally for 12 years. Playing for teams in 10 different countries including Brazil, Italy and China, Anderson also represented Team USA for four years during her professional career from 2014-2017.
Within those 12 years of playing professionally, Anderson was in and out of the coaching world as she spent the 2018 NCAA volleyball season at her alma mater, Oregon, as an interim assistant coach. Anderson has also offered private coaching lessons since 2020 where she shares her experiences and expertise around the sport of volleyball one-on-one with athletes across ages and skill levels.
During her time at Oregon, Anderson was a team captain that led the Ducks to four-straight NCAA Tournament appearances. While earning All-American honors in her junior season. She broke the all-time points record during her senior season with the Ducks and currently ranks 8th in career kills in Oregon program history.
After being announced as the new Head Coach of Colorado State volleyball last week, Kohan also reassured fans that current Assistant Coach and former All-American in a Ram uniform, Adrianna Blackman, as well as former CSU Volleyball stand out and current Director of Operations, Bri Olmstead will both stay on staff in their original positions.
"There aren't very many all-female staffs in the country, but what a great opportunity it is for our team to have a high-level training and role models in the same gym," Kohan said.
The Rams will enter the off season as they begin to finalize their 2023 fall schedule and continue recruiting future Rams.
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