Ohta Named Assistant Coach
Four-year 49er letterwinner
June 13, 2006
LONG BEACH, CA -- Long Beach State women's volleyball head coach, Brian Gimmillaro, announced today that Melissa Ohta has been hired as an assistant coach with the 49ers. Ohta was a former player for LBSU (1997-2000), and was a member on the 1998 National Championship team that went 36-0.
"I was impressed with the candidates that applied for the position," said Gimmillaro. "And I was most impressed with what Melissa brings to our program. She was an extremely successful player, and has the understanding of what Long Beach State volleyball represents, which is a unique style that promotes the best characteristics of a student athlete. Melissa is ideal in representing this program. She is an excellent teacher and student of the game. We are happy to welcome her back to her alma mater."
As a player, Ohta earned team captain status in 2000, and was a three-time Big West Conference All-Academic selection.
Ohta has been active in the club volleyball scene since 1997 in Long Beach as a coach and trainer. She has been the head coach for the 14, 16, and 18's Elite Teams, and has produced 13 Junior Olympic All-Americans, one Junior Olympic Most valuable Player, and one Junior National Team member.
She has been an integral part of Gimmillaro's summer volleyball camps as a well over the past few years. Ohta coordinated all advertisement, and organized the correspondence for over 800 athletes that have participated in the group sessions.
In 2003 and 2004, Ohta served as the assistant women's volleyball coach with the University of Iowa and was responsible for travel, budgeting, and recruiting.
Ohta completed her degree in Psychology and graduated Cum Laude in 2001. |
