| Xiang Zheng helped lead UTSA to a 19-12 record this fall. |
SAN ANTONIO ? UTSA head volleyball coach Laura Neugebauer-Groff announced Thursday that Zheng Xiang has been promoted to full-time assistant coach. Xiang spent this past season on her staff on an interim basis.
He helped lead the Roadrunners to a 19-12 overall record and 11-5 mark in Southland Conference play this fall. Junior middle hitter Stefanie Robbins and freshman Kelsey Jewasko were named SLC Newcomer and Libero of the Year, respectively. Meanwhile, sophomore outside hitter Kendra Rowland and Jewasko were named to the league's first team and freshman setter Amber Brooks joined Robbins as honorable mention selections.
"Xiang did an outstanding job this fall on an interim basis and it was only natural that he move into our open full-time assistant spot," Neugebauer-Groff said. "He fit in well with our program right away and showed he is ready to accept the responsibility that comes with the position with his hard work, knowledge of the game and dedication to helping us become successful."
The Chicago, Ill., native came to UTSA from St. Edward's University in Austin, where hespent the previous two seasons as an assistant. He mentored theHilltoppers' outside hitters and liberos and also was the program'srecruiting, travel and academic coordinator.
Xiang has coachedAustin's Junior Volleyball club team for the past two years, leadingthe squad to third-place finishes at the 2008 Pacific NorthwestQualifier and Lone Star Classic and fourth-place showing at the LoneStar Regional.
He earned his bachelor's degree in businessfrom Indiana in 2000 and a MBA in marketing from Texas' McCombs Schoolof Business in 2006.