Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State Volleyball Welcomes April Sanchez
1/14/2026 11:37:00 AM | Volleyball
Rams add assistant coach ahead of 2026 season
FORT COLLINS – The Colorado State volleyball program and head coach Emily Kohan announced the addition of April Sanchez as Assistant Coach ahead of the 2026 season Wednesday afternoon. Sanchez joins the program after six seasons at the University of New Mexico, where she served as Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for the Lobos.
"I am deeply honored to join the Colorado State Ram Family," Sanchez said. "I am so grateful to Emily for this incredible opportunity to become a Ram and help build upon this program's storied Tradition of Excellence. The Athletic Department, Emily and Coaching Staff, the Student-Athletes and the Ram Community have all been so welcoming. I am so grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this proud program and eager and excited to get to work to build Champions!"
"We are incredibly excited to welcome April to the Ramily," Kohan said. "A Colorado native, she brings exceptional experience, professionalism, and attention to detail while leading with a people-first approach. April embodies the DNA of our culture and strengthens our mission of BUILDING CHAMPIONS TO WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS!"
Sanchez brings more than a decade of collegiate coaching experience, highlighted by her time at New Mexico where she oversaw all defensive systems and tactics, trained all receivers, and worked directly with the program's liberos. Under her leadership, the Lobos consistently ranked among the top defensive teams in the Mountain West Conference in opponent hitting percentage and total digs, while producing multiple conference leaders in digs per set.
In addition to her defensive responsibilities, Sanchez served as the program's recruiting coordinator, playing a key role in identifying, evaluating and signing student-athletes both domestically and internationally. She also led the program's community outreach initiatives, coordinating summer camps, organizing volunteer efforts, and creating a partnership with Special Olympics of New Mexico.
Her impact at New Mexico helped guide the Lobos to a top-four finish in the Mountain West in 2023 and the program's first postseason victory since 2006.
On the national stage, Sanchez has been heavily involved with USA Volleyball since 2019. She has served as a coach within the National Team Development Program, training and evaluating elite athletes across multiple age levels and locations nationwide. In 2025, she was selected as an assistant coach for the USA Volleyball Girls U19 National Team at the FIVB World Championships in Osijek, Croatia, where the team earned a silver medal. During the event, Sanchez worked primarily with middle blockers.
Prior to her time at New Mexico, Sanchez spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Idaho State University, where her responsibilities included scouting, film and statistical analysis, recruiting support, and player development. She also gained head coaching experience at Colorado Northwestern Community College.
With Colorado State, Sanchez will serve as an assistant coach, while also working closely with the team's middle blocker defense, back-row defense and overall player development.
The Rams are set to kick off their inaugural season in the PAC-12 this fall.
"I am deeply honored to join the Colorado State Ram Family," Sanchez said. "I am so grateful to Emily for this incredible opportunity to become a Ram and help build upon this program's storied Tradition of Excellence. The Athletic Department, Emily and Coaching Staff, the Student-Athletes and the Ram Community have all been so welcoming. I am so grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this proud program and eager and excited to get to work to build Champions!"
"We are incredibly excited to welcome April to the Ramily," Kohan said. "A Colorado native, she brings exceptional experience, professionalism, and attention to detail while leading with a people-first approach. April embodies the DNA of our culture and strengthens our mission of BUILDING CHAMPIONS TO WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS!"
Sanchez brings more than a decade of collegiate coaching experience, highlighted by her time at New Mexico where she oversaw all defensive systems and tactics, trained all receivers, and worked directly with the program's liberos. Under her leadership, the Lobos consistently ranked among the top defensive teams in the Mountain West Conference in opponent hitting percentage and total digs, while producing multiple conference leaders in digs per set.
In addition to her defensive responsibilities, Sanchez served as the program's recruiting coordinator, playing a key role in identifying, evaluating and signing student-athletes both domestically and internationally. She also led the program's community outreach initiatives, coordinating summer camps, organizing volunteer efforts, and creating a partnership with Special Olympics of New Mexico.
Her impact at New Mexico helped guide the Lobos to a top-four finish in the Mountain West in 2023 and the program's first postseason victory since 2006.
On the national stage, Sanchez has been heavily involved with USA Volleyball since 2019. She has served as a coach within the National Team Development Program, training and evaluating elite athletes across multiple age levels and locations nationwide. In 2025, she was selected as an assistant coach for the USA Volleyball Girls U19 National Team at the FIVB World Championships in Osijek, Croatia, where the team earned a silver medal. During the event, Sanchez worked primarily with middle blockers.
Prior to her time at New Mexico, Sanchez spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Idaho State University, where her responsibilities included scouting, film and statistical analysis, recruiting support, and player development. She also gained head coaching experience at Colorado Northwestern Community College.
With Colorado State, Sanchez will serve as an assistant coach, while also working closely with the team's middle blocker defense, back-row defense and overall player development.
The Rams are set to kick off their inaugural season in the PAC-12 this fall.
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