The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga volleyball head coach Lisa Rhodes announced on Thursday the addition of Lara Newberry as a student assistant for the upcoming season. Newberry was a record setting libero for the Lady Mocs from 2005-09 capturing the NCAA single-season and career dig marks.
"We are excited to have someone with Lara's credentials and background being able to help us with our defense," said Rhodes. "She will be able to relate to the players at their level, but still command respect as a coach. The team is excited and I am happy to have someone that is going to help us in practice every day."
Newberry's primary responsibility will be with the liberos and defensive specialists and assist the coaching staff during practices and matches.
"It is always nice to have one of your own helping," said Rhodes. "Because they already know your philosophy and expectations as a coach, she lived it for four years. She has an understanding of what I expect in a player and how I run my program."
While working towards her sociology degree, which she earned in May 2010, the Chattanooga, Tenn., native served as an assistant coach for Baylor High School and guided the junior varsity squad last season. Newberry was a member of the Lady Red Raiders from 2002-04.
In 2008, Newberry's senior season for the Lady Mocs was impressive as she stretched her NCAA All-Time digs record to 3,176 and led the nation in digs per set at 6.76 for the second-consecutive season. Newberry dug up 777 attacks for the Lady Mocs, who finished 17-16 overall and 12-6 in the SoCon.
Back in 2007, Newberry recorded 942 digs and 7.19 digs per set, both are current NCAA records. The Chattanooga, Tenn., native's superb back-row play helped the Lady Mocs to a 19-14 overall record and 13-5 SoCon mark, which led the conference.
She also was recognized nationally by Collegiate Volleyball Update as the National Libero of the Year and AVCA All-South Region Honorable Mention following both seasons. The Southern Conference recognized her as a three-time Libero of the Year.
As a freshman, she earned SoCon Freshman and Libero of the Year honors after shattering school and conference records for digs in a season with 736.
The standout libero attended Baylor and was named a three-time school MVP along with the Chattanooga Times Free Press "Best of Preps" Player of the Year as a senior. Newberry helped the Red Raiders to three Division II State Championships and captured the region all four years.
Newberry and the Lady Mocs begin preseason camp on Aug. 11 in preparation for the start of the 2010 season at the Lady Vol Classic against Virginia Tech, Tennessee and Virginia Tech starting Aug 27.