-Chattanooga Mocs volleyball coach Travis Filar got an interesting opportunity cross his path. The chance to add a former All-American and USA National Team starter to his coaching staff for 2016.
Filar announced Kristen Michaelis as volunteer assistant on Thursday. Michaelis, whose maiden name is Fenton, became available when her family moved to the Chattanooga area. She is most recently served as head coach at St. Clair County Community College in her native Michigan.
"One thing that we've always been hopeful of here is adding a volunteer assistant that could be a part of the program every day," Filar shared.
"We feel really excited and fortunate to add someone who can do just that, while bringing in someone with Kristen's experience on and off the floor.
"She's going to be a great reference for our student-athletes as someone who trained and competed at the highest level, collegiately and internationally. Kristen’s experience playing as a six-rotation outside hitter and libero gives her an opportunity to have a big impact both offensively and defensively."
Michaelis played for Team USA as a libero helping lead the squad to the bronze medal at the 2007 Pan American Games. She was a four-year letter winner at Fresno State ranking as one of the program's top players. She was a 2003 honorable mention All-American, two-time All-WAC (2002, 2003) and AVCA All-West Region (2002, 2003). She averaged nearly four kills per set (3.97) while tallying 1,353 total.
She coached at her high school alma mater, Marysville (Mich.) before spending last season at St. Clair County. Her defensive expertise will impact the coming season on a daily basis. Former volunteer assistant Duane Hill is remaining with the program in a consultant's role.
"Duane has been a great help to our program," Filar added. "His willingness to continue to make an impact in this new role only serves to further strengthen our staff as a whole."
The Mocs are coming off their first regular season Southern Conference Championship since 1998 this past fall ending up with a 26-6 overall record. The 26 wins tied the school record set in the 1996 (26-11) and 1997 (26-10) campaigns.
The 2016 season opens August 26-28 with the Chattanooga Classic Presented by Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Chattanooga. The Mocs welcome Cal State Fullerton, South Carolina State, Presbyterian and Mississippi Valley State to Maclellan Gym.