SAN ANTONIO – Andrew Sato, who spent the last two years as the graduate and volunteer assistant at tradition-rich Nebraska, has been added to the UTSA volleyball coaching staff, it was announced on Friday by head coach Laura Neugebauer-Groff.
"I am really excited to add Andrew to our staff," Neugebauer-Groff said. "He brings great knowledge of the game and has a stellar reputation in the volleyball world, both as a coach and a player. His volleyball IQ will have an instant impact on our program and I'm glad he is on our staff."
Sato, a four-year starting libero at Cal State Long Beach, comes to the Roadrunners after two years as the volunteer assistant coach at powerhouse Nebraska. Sato, who served in three coaching roles while in Lincoln, graduate assistant, interim assistant and volunteer assistant coach, also was on the coaching staff at Cal during the 2017 season.
"I am very honored to be a part of this program," Sato said. "The opportunity to learn from Coach Groff and continue building the program with a new staff is something I am excited to be a part of. I look to make an immediate impact with the program and it's players."
Sato starred for Long Beach during his four-year career, serving as a team captain that led the team to a pair of Final Fours (2016-17). A two-time AVCA All-American, Sato finished his career as the Long Beach record holder in career and single-season digs. Sato was a fixture with USA Volleyball during his playing career, serving as a member of the Team USA Youth, Junior and Senior National Teams.
Sato opened his coaching career with Cal as the volunteer assistant coach in 2017, with the Bears earning 13 wins, including results over Texas Tech, Rice, Arizona, Arizona State and Washington State.
He then moved to Lincoln to join legendary coach John Cook's staff. In his first season with the Cornhuskers, Sato helped the club to a 29-7 record, including a 15-5 mark in league play and an 18-3 stretch at historic Devaney Center. The Huskers fell in the national championship game vs. No. 1 Stanford in a five-set thriller in Minneapolis, earning NCAA Tournament wins over Missouri, Kentucky, Oregon and Illinois. Sato, a former standout libero, helped coach a backline that saw five players total at least 190 digs during the season, led by 4.03 digs per set from senior All-American Kenzie Maloney. Maloney earned third-team AVCA All-America and first-team All-Big 10 honors in 2018.
The Cornhuskers again had a historic season in 2019 with Sato on the staff, claiming 28 wins and advancing to the NCAA Regional Final at Wisconsin. Nebraska went 28-5 and a staggering 17-3 in conference and 17-2 at the Devaney Center. Five liberos totaled at least 200 digs during the season for the Huskers, with freshman Kenzie Knuckles averaging a team-leading 3.83 digs per set.
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