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Albuquerque, N.M. -- University of New Mexico senior woman administrator Janice Ruggiero announced today that Kelley Sliva has been named the head coach for the Lobo volleyball program. Sliva is the eighth coach in the history of the program.

Sliva (Slee-va) replaces Tom Peterson, who accepted the head coaching position with the BYU mens volleyball program. Sliva comes to UNM after spending the past nine years at Northern Arizona University where she posted a career record of 143-104 (.579) and a 79-57 mark in the Big Sky. Slivas NAU teams scored five straight winning seasons, going 90-45 since the 1997 season.

I evaluated this decision on a professional and a personal level and knew that New Mexico was the right thing to do, said Sliva. There are so many good things in place there already and it is a great opportunity and a good challenge. I saw the improvement Tom had in place with the team during the spring season. I know we can build upon the foundation that is there, not only athletically, but academically as well.

While at NAU, Sliva took the Lumberjacks to their first NCAA Volleyball Championship appearance (1999) and earned two Big Sky titles (1999 tournament and 2000 regular season). Sliva was named the 1999 Big Sky Coach of the Year.

Were extremely excited to have Kelley aboard, said Ruggiero. Her volleyball background was what we were looking for to improve and revitalize the Lobo program. She did and excellent job and NAU and is well-respected within the coaching community.

Slivas coaching career began as an assistant with Lisa Love at Texas-Arlington and Southern California before heading the NAU program in 1993. While an assistant, UTA and USC went to four NCAA tournaments and USCs 1991 recruiting class was named Best in the West by Volleyball Magazine.

A graduate of Tucson (Ariz.) Catalina High School, Sliva graduated from the University of Arizona in 1985 with a degree in Exercise and Sport Science.

Sliva Year-by-Year
OverallBig SkyPostseason
YearRecordRecordBig SkyNCAA
199314-139-5/T2nd0-1-
199411-163-11/T6th--
199513-138-6/3rd0-1-
199615-177-9/T4th1-1-
199719-1011-5/3rd2-1-
199818-119-7/T4th1-1-
199919-1010-6/T3rd3-00-1
200018-712-4/T1st0-1-
200116-710-4/2nd0-1-
Totals143-10479-577-70-1
(.579)(.581)(.500)(.000)

Assistant Coach
1985-87University of Arizona
1988Texas-Arlington
1989-91Southern California
1992Southern California -Associate Head Coach

Lobos Women's Volleyball

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