UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. - Saginaw Valley State University volleyball assistant coach Kait Harris (Essexville, Mich./Garber HS) has accepted the head coaching position at Rhodes College, an NCAA Division III institution located in Memphis, Tenn.
"I am extremely excited to be in charge of my own program. The staff at Rhodes has been very welcoming, friendly and helpful from the start," commented Harris. "I felt like it was going to be an amazing opportunity from the moment I stepped on campus."
Cardinal volleyball compiled a recorded of 43-42 during the three seasons with Harris on the coaching staff under head coach Will Stanton. That three-year span was highlighted by an 18-11 record in 2011, including a school-record 15 conference wins and a trip to the NCAA Tournament.
"We are thrilled for Kait and this next step in her career," stated coach Stanton. "We are glad to have had Kait's contribution over the last seven years as a player and coach within the Cardinal Volleyball Program, and wish her the best in this exciting opportunity at Rhodes."
"Her influence will be felt for many generations within Cardinal Volleyball, and we hope that she takes her Cardinal spirit with her as she takes on her own program at such a prestigious institution," added Stanton, who will enter his 11th season at SVSU in the fall.
Harris played in 109 matches for SVSU as the team's setter, compiling 3,056 career assists, which ranks fourth all-time in program history. Harris also ranks in the top-five for assists in a single season, posting 1,211 helpers in the 2008 season, third all-time, and 1,146 assists in 2009, which is good enough for fifth all-time. Harris was voted the 2009 "GLIAC Player of the Year" in her senior season, as well as being named to the AVCA All-American Honorable Mention Team.
"Leaving Saginaw Valley is very bittersweet," noted Harris. "Coach Stanton was willing to take a chance on me as a player and then took me under his wing once I entered the coaching world. Playing volleyball and being a student at Saginaw Valley gave me many rewarding experiences. I have built relationships with teammates, coaches and professors that will last a lifetime. I am so grateful to everyone that has supported me over the years and for always believing in me, even when the hurdle seemed to be very high. I hope to carry on the values and traditions that Saginaw Valley has given me and instill them with my future program at Rhodes."
SVSU Athletics wishes Kait Harris the best of luck and success in her new position as the head coach of the Lynx women's volleyball program at Rhodes College.
Click here to view the official release, courtesy of Rhodes College Athletics