University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Abbey Sutherland Elevated to Volleyball Head Coach
5/13/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
May 13, 2010
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - University of Southern Mississippi Director of Athletics Richard Giannini announced Thursday that the school has elevated Abbey Sutherland to head volleyball coach, after spending the last four seasons as the program's top assistant. The hiring is subject to approval by the IHL Board of Supervisors.
"We're excited to name Abbey as the head coach for Women's Volleyball. She's been here six years and has been a vital part of the program since she's been here," Giannini said. "She helped us develop Southern Miss into a championship caliber program, and we're very pleased that she is going to be taking over the reins. We're confident in her and in her ability to continue to make strides and keep Southern Miss competing on a national level."
Sutherland spent her first two years as the team's graduate assistant before being elevated to the top assistant job four years ago.
"I want to thank Richard Giannini and (Senior Woman Administrator) Sonya Varnell for offering me the opportunity to lead the program," Sutherland said. "I am extremely excited to become the next head volleyball coach at The University of Southern Mississippi and I am looking forward to building upon an already established program.
"I was able to learn a lot while working under Ricci Luyties, who is one of the most respected individuals of the game. This, along with my six years of experience with the Southern Miss Athletics family, will result in a smooth transition to the head coach position."
Last season, Sutherland helped direct the Lady Eagles to their first Conference USA regular season title as Southern Miss finished with a 27-5 mark. The team reached the league tournament semifinals for the first time in school history. Over the last four years, the Lady Eagles have posted a 72-57 overall record.
"I will continue to recruit solid student-athletes that will keep us at the top of Conference USA and also make an impact in the classroom," Sutherland said. "I will work to promote the sport of volleyball in the community as I feel that it has a lot to offer young children."
During her time as an assistant coach, Sutherland's duties included on-the-floor coaching duties, recruiting, scouting and handling team travel.
Before becoming a full-time assistant, Sutherland served as a graduate assistant, while completing requirements for a master's degree in teaching languages, with a Spanish emphasis in 2006.
Prior to coming to Southern Miss, she was a standout setter at St. Norbert College in DePere, Wis., where she was a four-year letterwinner. She finished her career with 4,554 assists, 1,503 digs and 128 aces. Sutherland was a three-time, first-team all-conference selection and a two-time conference player of the year. She twice received honorable-mention all-region honors.
Sutherland helped St. Norbert finish first in the Midwest Conference in 2002 and advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. She was voted her team's most valuable player as a junior and senior. She also received academic all-conference honors as well.
Sutherland prepped at West Bend High School in West Bend, Wis., where she was a three-year letterwinner in volleyball. She was a first-team all-county selection, second-team all-conference and honorable-mention all-state. She received the Coaches' and Hustle Awards. She played in the Wisconsin All-Star match and helped her team to three conference titles.
The West Bend, Wis., native received her bachelor's degree in Spanish and secondary education in 2004 from St. Norbert College.
