University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Sutherland Names Assistant Coach
6/25/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
June 25, 2010
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Southern Miss Volleyball Head Coach Abbey Sutherland announced the hiring of Amanda Berkley as an assistant coach for the Golden Eagle program. This hiring is subject to approval by the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.
Berkley duties will include on the court coaching, recruiting, scouting, assistance in practice planning, fundraising, travel, camp coordinator and various administrative duties.
"I am thrilled to welcome Amanda to the Southern Miss Volleyball family," Sutherland said. "She possesses the qualities to genuinely connect with the team and further develop them as players and people. She has a solid work ethic and is enthusiastic about elevating Southern Miss Volleyball to the next level."
Prior to coming to Southern Miss, Berkley spent two seasons as UW-Whitewater's graduate assistant coach where her duties included recruiting, coaching defensive specialists and compiling statistics. She also coached the junior varsity team as well as planned practices and scheduled matches. Berkley also served as an assistant strength and conditioning coach for volleyball, football and track teams.
"Amanda's experiences as a player and coach were with nationally recognized programs and she is aware of what it takes to have a winning program," said Sutherland. "I expect that she will make her mark as an up and coming collegiate coach. She has a solid understanding of the game and I have confidence in her analysis of potential recruits and developing game strategy."
Berkley graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in kinesiology/physical education and a minor in health. She competed on the University of Wisconsin's volleyball team as a defensive specialist. During her career, the Badgers placed second in the Big Ten twice and made it to the Elite Eight twice as well as finishing in the tournament Sweet 16 tournament once.
As a player, Berkley walked on as a freshman and earned a scholarship for her final three seasons. She finished third on the team in service aces in 2006 and 2007. She has coached at various clinics and camps throughout the state and has coached club volleyball for Capital Volleyball Club.
Berkley is currently working on her master's degree in professional development with and emphasis in Health, Physical Education and Coaching from UW-Whitewater.
