University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Risley Named Full-Time Volleyball Assistant Coach
7/16/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Risley Named Full-Time Volleyball Assistant Coach
HATTIESBURG, Miss. ? Southern Miss Volleyball Coach Santiago Restrepo has announced Laura Risley?s promotion to full-time assistant coach, pending approval by the IHL Board. The upcoming 2002 season is Risley?s second working with the squad.
?Laura has been a great contributor to our program,? said Restrepo. ?I am grateful she remains on staff and now has the responsibility of a full-time assistant coach. Her leadership skills will benefit the players, especially the younger ones we have coming in this year.?
Risley?s responsibilities include recruiting, conditioning, on-the-floor coaching and administrative duties. She came to Southern Miss after a successful playing career at Saint Louis University.
Prior to coming to Southern Miss, she coached USVBA club volleyball in St. Louis for three years. Her 2000-2001 Elite VBC Club Team was a junior national qualifier. She also gained coaching experience as an instructor at various volleyball camps.
A two-time first-team All-Conference USA selection, Risley was named the league?s Co-Player of the Year during her senior season in 1999. She was named to the All-District VI team for two- consecutive seasons. The former hitter finished her career with 1,636 kills, 912 digs and 113 aces, and ranks third on the Billikins? all-time kills list. She prepped at Marissa Junior-Senior High School, where she was a four-year letterwinner in volleyball and earned two letters in softball.
Risley received her bachelor?s degree in education in 2001 from Saint Louis. She was a two-time first-team academic all-district selection. She completed work on her master?s degree in athletic administration at Southern Miss.
A native of Marissa, Ill., Risley is the daughter of Bonnie and John Risley.
