CLARKSVILLE - Bill Egbert, who spent the past two seasons as
an assistant coach at Mississippi, has been named Austin Peay State University's
eighth volleyball coach, the athletics department announced, Monday. He
replaces Haley Janicek who served as interim head coach during the 2010 season and led the Lady Govs
to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance.
"We are excited Bill has chosen to lead our program," said
Austin Peay assistant athletic director Cheryl Holt. "Throughout the interview
process he proved to be an outstanding candidate. He has proven to be a
competent coach who has helped bring success to every program he has worked
with. We believe he's going to be a positive addition to our department."
"I'm excited to join Austin Peay and look forward to working
with this team," said Egbert. "There are a lot of great players returning next
year and I believe we're going to be very successful. They are a hard-working
group that is ready to do what it takes to win another championship."
Egbert, a Papillion, Neb. native, spent the last two seasons
at Mississippi where he was the offensive coordinator and worked with the team's
setters and middle blockers. In his first season with the Rebels he helped
develop Southeastern Conference All-Freshman selection Whitney Craven. Last season, he helped Mississippi reach the NCAA
Tournament for the third time in program history and aided the development of
middle blocker Regina Thomas into a third-team All-America selection - the Rebels
first All-America selection.
Prior to his stint with the Rebels, Egbert spent two seasons
at Furman and helped build that program into an NCAA Tournament participant,
making its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2008. With the Paladins, he
coached six players who earned All-Southern Conference honors including middle
blocker Nicole Palazzo and outside hitter Alison West, who were All-SoCon
selections both seasons.
A 2007 Nebraska graduate, Egbert was a student manager with
the Cornhuskers volleyball program. He was with the team during its 2006 NCAA
Championship run. Egbert graduated with a bachelor's degree in Russian Language
and Studies.
While at Nebraska, he was head coach of the Nebraska Juniors
Volleyball Club. He coached three teams into the Junior National Tournament,
leading his 2006 16U team to a ninth-place finish.
-AP-
