Volleyball Southern Conference

Georgia Southern Hires Volleyball Coach

STATESBORO, Ga. -- Georgia Southern University athletics director Sam Baker announced Feb. 27 that Kerry Messersmith has been named the new head coach of the Eagle volleyball program.

"We are very excited to have Kerry join our staff," said Baker. "Throughout her career she has developed successful programs."

Messersmith replaces Eddie Matthews, whose contract was not renewed after the 2000 season.

Messersmith comes to Georgia Southern from Yuma, Ariz. where she spent the last four seasons as the head coach at Arizona Western College. During her tenure with the Matadors, Messersmith had a record of 129-65 and took AWC to an eighth place finish at the NJCAA National Tournament in 2000. She was named the NJCAA District A Coach of the Year in 2000 and the AVCA Southwest Region I Coach of the Year in 1999.

Messersmith also spent time as the head volleyball coach at Chadron State College in Chadron, Neb., Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kan., Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, Kan., and at Allen County Community College in Iola, Kan. She compiled a 231-134 record at those schools. Messersmith's teams have recorded 20 wins or more in seven of her 13 years as a head coach.