March 27, 2008

DAVIS, Calif. - Jamie Holmes, most recently the top assistant women's volleyball coach at The Ohio State University, has been named as UC Davis' ninth head women's volleyball coach, Director of Athletics Greg Warzecka has announced.

She replaces Steve Walker, who left the Aggie program after a two-year tenure to accept a head assistant coaching position at the University of Arizona.

"I think this is an exciting time for UC Davis, having just moved to Division I," said Holmes. "The program has great potential and it plays in a great conference. The opportunity to recruit outstanding athletic and academic student-athletes, and the ability to compete at a very high level - those things really were what drew me."

Holmes has served as the No. 1 assistant for Ohio State since 2002, during which she has been involved in all aspects of the program, including on-court coaching, player development, recruiting, scouting, strength and conditioning, travel, public relations and academic monitoring.

"The breadth of Jamie's professional experience at Missouri State and Ohio State made her the strongest of a very good field of candidates," said Warzecka. "Jamie has helped develop some highly skilled volleyball players and has brought in tremendous recruiting classes to Ohio State. Her ability to recruit outstanding student-athletes to UC Davis was a high priority for us."

"Most importantly, Jamie possesses a keen understanding of the needs of our program and knows what it will take to be successful in the Big West Conference."

In her six seasons with the Buckeyes, Holmes coached four American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Americans, most notably 2004 AVCA Player of the Year and Big Ten Player of the Year Stacey Gordon. During that span, Ohio State compiled a 122-65 overall record and made four NCAA tournament appearances. Additionally, Holmes' recruiting efforts have resulted in nationally ranked freshman classes in 2004, 2006 and 2007.

Before her arrival in Columbus, Holmes spent five years at Southwest Missouri State (now known as Missouri State) as the top assistant coach. In her tenure with the Bears, she helped transform the program from an 18-14 record in 1997 to a 25-5 ledger in 2001. Off the court, Holmes' role as academic coordinator oversaw the team's grade-point average rise from 3.18 in her first season to a 3.42 in 2001-02. Her skills in recruiting brought in the school's first-ever AVCA All-America honoree and a Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year. Additionally, Holmes served on the board of directors for Club Bear Volleyball, a youth development program.

Holmes previously served one year as head women's coach for Evangel University in Springfield, Mo.; and a season as the head men's coach at her alma mater of Bethany University. She graduated summa cum laude from Bethany in 1994, earning a B.A. degree in social science. Holmes also is completing her Master of Divinity from the Assembly of God Theological Seminary in Springfield.

Holmes' arrival at UC Davis also serves as a homecoming of sorts. She and her family resided in Davis until relocating to nearby Citrus Heights when she reached middle school. "Look up and down the coastline of California, and there are not a lot of college-town communities. Then you look at UC Davis and you find that atmosphere," Holmes said. "It is a great academic institution in a desirable place for young people. I just think there is so much success that can happen here."

Holmes played club volleyball for Sacramento State head coach Debby Colberg, then spent three years (one as a redshirt) in the Hornet program from 1989 to 1991. She then completed her career at Bethany, serving as team captain in the 1992 and 1993 seasons. As a senior, Holmes led all NAIA players in kills per game and hitting percentage, earning All-Region and All-America honors from the AVCA.

Holmes will begin her coaching and academic duties at UC Davis in mid-April.

The Aggie women's volleyball team completed its first official year as a member of the Big West Conference, compiling a 4-24 overall record.

UC Davis Aggies Women's Volleyball

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