Former Gator Diaz Named Assistant Coach at JU
Wednesday, August 4, 2010 | Volleyball
Former Florida volleyball player Christina Diaz (Hollywood, Fla.) has been named an assistant coach at Jacksonville University, Dolphins head coach Shaun Kupferberg announced Tuesday evening.
Diaz, who spent the last season as an assistant at Radford University, was a four-year letterwinner at the defensive specialist position for the Gators from 2005-08, during which time she rose from a walk-on her freshman year to a co-captain her senior year. The recipient of the Gator Spirit Award her senior year, Diaz brought passion and energy to practice and matches on a daily basis and was a team-leader in the weight room.
“Christina brings a great knowledge of the game to our staff,” Kupferberg said. “She's played at the highest level and has really studied the game. I think she's going to make a big difference while working with our defense and set a new standard in an already strong unit.”
During her time at Radford in 2009, Diaz was responsible for all aspects of the program, including recruiting, as the Highlanders tallied double-digit wins (12) for the first time since 2001 en route to earning a bid to the Big South Conference Tournament.
Diaz ended her collegiate career with her team having compiled a 119-13 (.902) record with four NCAA Round of 16 appearances and four Southeastern Conference titles during her playing days. She was a four-year member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll and graduated with a bachelor of science in health education and behavior with an emphasis in health promotion.
"Christina was one of those players whose coaching potential was seen early on in her career," Florida head coach Mary Wise said. "She was a player who went from being a walk-on her freshman year to being a co-captain her senior year. JU is getting not only a great talent, but also a great individual."
Diaz is one of more than 20 former players, coaches or staff under the guidance of Wise who currently are serving as coaches.
Prior to Radford, Diaz prepped for a collegiate coaching career with an internship in the Florida volleyball office, where she assisted in all aspects of the program following the completion of her eligibility.
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