Humboldt State head volleyball coach Sue Woodstra begins duties June 1 as an assistant coach of the U.S. Women's National Team, and will serve in that role through the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
"I spent many years playing and coaching at the national level and I am excited to return to that arena," Ms. Woodstra said. "I am very appreciative of both USA Volleyball and Humboldt State for allowing me this opportunity."
Ms. Woodstra has spent the past five seasons as head volleyball coach at Humboldt State and will return to that capacity for the 2008 season. In her absence, assistant coach James Kealalio will remain with the program while additional staffing is sought.
"I have conflicting emotions, not being with this (Lumberjack) team in the fall," Woodstra said. "But I have absolute confidence in its ability and in Jamess ability to lead them."
Ms. Woodstra brings strong Olympic playing experience to the U.S. Women's National Team coaching staff, which boasts gold medalist Jenny Lang Ping. Coach Woodstra was a two-time member of U.S. Olympic Teams in the early 1980s and was captain of the 1984 U.S. Olympic Team that won a silver medal in Los Angeles. She was also a member of the 1980 Olympic Team, which did not compete due to the boycott. Overall, she spent eight years on the U.S. Womens National Team.
In addition to competing for Team USA, Woodstra played four seasons (1984-88) on the professional level for the NEC Volleyball Team of the Japanese League. She is a four-time USVBA Womens Open First-Team All-American (1975, 1985-87) and the 1986 USVBA Women's Open Player of the Year. She was a member of three USVBA Womens Open National Championship teams.
"It's an incredible honor for Coach Woodstra to be chosen for this position," Humboldt State Director of Athletics Dan Collen said. "It's a great opportunity for her personally and professionally, and also reflects well on our department and Humboldt State University."
A member of the American Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Ms. Woodstra served as an assistant coach on the U.S. Girls Youth National Team that won the 2006 NORCECA Girls Youth Continental Championship in Gainsville, Fla.