UT Volleyball Adds Kelly Huff As Graduate Assistant

TAMPA, Fla. – University of Tampa volleyball coach Chris Catanach has announced that Kelly Huff will serve as a graduate assistant coach for the 2010 season as a student in the Master of Education program. She will take over for Sara Ellis, who will complete her MBA in May.

“We are excited to have Kelly Huff join our coaching staff,” says Catanach. “She brings a wealth of playing experience at the setter position, one of her duties will be to train our 2010 freshmen setter, Kaylee Koetter. Kelly is a very bright young lady with a high volleyball IQ and a tremendous work ethic. We are very fortunate to have her.”

A graduate of Trevecca Nazarene University (Nashville, Tenn.), Huff was a three-year captain for the Trojans as a setter. The first-team all-Trans South selection was also a three-time Trans South scholar-athlete and National Dean’s List student.

The four-year starter also ranked nationally in assists per set as a junior and senior. A three-time all-Trans South choice, Huff was an all-region performer as a senior while also earning a spot on the all-tournament team. She concluded her career as Trevecca’s all-time leader in assists.

Huff earned a bachelor of science in mathematical biology in May of 2009, graduating Magna cum Laude. She was also a four-year member of the Dean’s List. In 2007, she was the recipient of the first annual Tennessean Brains and Brawns Award.

In addition to her academic and athletic undergraduate honors, Huff also served as a teaching assistant at Florida State University in the fall of 2009. While tutoring students in the department of mathematics, she also assisted Dr. Krista Bowers with day-to-day classroom duties. She also held a similar position at Trevecca Nazarene, where she was a three-year teaching assistant to Dr. Sam Stueckle in the mathematics department.

Huff served as the head coach for the Select Volleyball Club (Nashville, Tenn.) from 2008-09. In addition to coaching, her duties included practice workout preparation and individualized training programs. She also developed fundamental volleyball skills, team building and instruction in sportsmanship.

She has also volunteered with the Habitat For Humanity, Environmental Club and World Changers. In 2006, she participated in Au Sauble, a summer environmental class in Whidbey Island, Wash. The class included marine biology and local environmental issues. She also took a mission trip to Florianapolis, Brazil in 2005, distributing eye glasses while working with children and young adults.

She has also held positions as a Research for Undergraduate Studies, employee for Dr. Douglas L. Huff and swimming instructor and coach for JCC & Chesterfield Parks and Recreation.

Huff will begin her duties as a graduate assistant coach in August for the Spartans. Ellis will complete her duties in May following graduation after serving two years as a graduate assistant.

“The coaches and players will miss Sara and the many great things she did for our program,” says Catanach. “I can’t say enough about what she means to UT and our volleyball program. She will be a tremendous catch for a business or corporation in the Tampa Bay area. We were blessed to have someone of her class and abilities involved in our volleyball program.”