Rice Volleyball Hires Trey Cruz as Assistant Coach
1/27/2023 11:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
HOUSTON — Rice Volleyball Head Coach Genny Volpe has announced the addition of Trey Cruz as Assistant Coach.
"We are very excited to be adding Trey Cruz to our volleyball family here at Rice," said Volpe. "Trey is a hard worker, talented recruiter, and passionate coach. I know that he will be a valuable contributor to our program, and to the athletics department as well."
Cruz comes to South Main after spending last season at Tulane, where he served as Associate Head Coach.
Prior to Tulane, Cruz spent four seasons as an assistant coach at LSU where guided the squad in areas of blocking and defense while focusing on the team's overall data metrics. He coached several standout student-athletes to top marks in the Southeastern Conference and assisted in securing Top 25 recruiting classes in 2019 (#13), 2020 (#22), and 2021 (#17).
One of Cruz's most successful student-athletes was the school's all-time kills leader, Taylor Bannister. She was a four-time All-SEC honoree, as well as an All-American in both 2017 and 2019. He also coached the SEC and LSU's all-time dig leader Raigen Cianciulli.
Prior to his indoor coaching stint at LSU, Cruz served as an assistant coach for the LSU beach volleyball program from 2016-2018. During his time on the sand, the Tigers were ranked in the Top 10 nationally after posting back to back 27-win seasons in 2017 and 2018. Cruz also served as the assistant volleyball coach at Louisiana-Lafayette from 2015-2016.
"First and foremost, I would like to thank Tanner Gardner and Genny Volpe for this amazing opportunity to join such a prestigious program," said Cruz. "I look forward to continuing the success Genny has orchestrated, getting to know the team and alumni, as well as meeting the amazing Owls' fans. It is an honor and a privilege to join the Rice family and compete at a national level. I cannot wait to get to Houston and get to work. Go Owls!"
Cruz earned his bachelor's degree in Kinesiology in 2013 from LSU and his master's degree in 2015 focusing on human resource & leadership development.
"We are very excited to be adding Trey Cruz to our volleyball family here at Rice," said Volpe. "Trey is a hard worker, talented recruiter, and passionate coach. I know that he will be a valuable contributor to our program, and to the athletics department as well."
Cruz comes to South Main after spending last season at Tulane, where he served as Associate Head Coach.
Prior to Tulane, Cruz spent four seasons as an assistant coach at LSU where guided the squad in areas of blocking and defense while focusing on the team's overall data metrics. He coached several standout student-athletes to top marks in the Southeastern Conference and assisted in securing Top 25 recruiting classes in 2019 (#13), 2020 (#22), and 2021 (#17).
One of Cruz's most successful student-athletes was the school's all-time kills leader, Taylor Bannister. She was a four-time All-SEC honoree, as well as an All-American in both 2017 and 2019. He also coached the SEC and LSU's all-time dig leader Raigen Cianciulli.
Prior to his indoor coaching stint at LSU, Cruz served as an assistant coach for the LSU beach volleyball program from 2016-2018. During his time on the sand, the Tigers were ranked in the Top 10 nationally after posting back to back 27-win seasons in 2017 and 2018. Cruz also served as the assistant volleyball coach at Louisiana-Lafayette from 2015-2016.
"First and foremost, I would like to thank Tanner Gardner and Genny Volpe for this amazing opportunity to join such a prestigious program," said Cruz. "I look forward to continuing the success Genny has orchestrated, getting to know the team and alumni, as well as meeting the amazing Owls' fans. It is an honor and a privilege to join the Rice family and compete at a national level. I cannot wait to get to Houston and get to work. Go Owls!"
Cruz earned his bachelor's degree in Kinesiology in 2013 from LSU and his master's degree in 2015 focusing on human resource & leadership development.