RUBEN VOLTA TO TAKE OVER VOLLEYBALL HEAD COACHING DUTIES NEXT SEASON 10/4/2007 SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Sacramento State associate head volleyball coach Ruben Volta, who is currently in his eighth year on the team’s coaching staff, will begin the 2008 season as the Hornets’ new head coach, it was announced today by Athletics Director Terry Wanless He will take over for longtime head coach Debby Colberg who announced in August she will retire at the conclusion of the 2007 season. “I believe Ruben is well prepared to continue the tradition that Coach Colberg will leave behind,” Wanless said. “He has worked closely with Debby for nearly eight years and has played a major role in both the coaching and recruiting areas of our program. He is well respected by our players and staff, and I am confident in his ability to lead our program into the future.” Volta became a full-time assistant at Sacramento State in 2002 after spending the two previous years as a volunteer assistant. During his tenure at Sacramento State, the Hornets have combined for a 184-70 (.724 winning percentage) record and have won either the Big Sky Conference’s regular season and/or tournament championships each season. That includes five straight Big Sky Tournament titles and NCAA Tournament appearances heading into this season. “I am very excited about the opportunity to take over the program,” Volta said. “At the same time, I am going to miss working with Debby. She is an incredible coach and I have learned a great deal under her leadership. I plan on keeping alive the same high standards she has set for the program during her 32-year tenure.” A 16-year volleyball coaching veteran, Volta has served as the team’s recruiting and travel coordinator while also working with the setters, on-floor coaching and scouting the opposition. “Ruben is more than ready to take over as head coach of the volleyball program,” Colberg said. “Along with his excellent technical knowledge, he also has the personal skills to maintain a positive, working rapport with the athletes. “His familiarity with the University and the athletics department will make the transition essentially seamless. I really like the energy he brings to coaching along with his loyalty to Sacramento State. I am confident that he will do an excellent job.” From 1995-2001, Volta ran and operated the High Voltage volleyball facility, which at one point housed 18 juniors teams of different age groups. Some of his former club players with High Voltage include past Hornets Sandra Bandimere, Tasman Dwyer, Kazmiera Imrie, Jackie Coudert and Brenda Moorlag. In addition, current Sacramento State middle hitter and first team all-Big Sky selection Michelle Franz competed at his club. Current Hornets Anna Schoener and Cayti Crowton played for Volta when he coached the Gold Cal Juniors club to an 11th-place finish at the 2006 junior nationals. A graduate of Sacramento State in 1993 with a degree in physical education, Volta starred for the Hornet men’s club team that went undefeated and won the National Club Championship in 1995. That same season, he earned All-America honors as the team’s setter.