In an exciting development for the Minnesota Gophers volleyball program, head coach Keegan Cook has welcomed Crissy Jones Schoonderwoerd as the newest addition to the coaching staff. Jones Schoonderwoerd, who spent the 2023 season as the interim head coach at California, brings a wealth of experience and a successful track record to the team.
Under her leadership at Cal, Jones Schoonderwoerd guided the team to its first winning record since 2019, finishing the season with a 16-15 overall record and an undefeated 11-0 non-conference record. The achievement marked a significant turnaround for the program, earning her recognition as a Volleyball Magazine College Coaching Hotshot.
Coach Keegan Cook expressed his enthusiasm about the new addition, saying, “Crissy Jones Schoonderwoerd has been a champion at every level and every discipline of the sport of volleyball. She is the exact mentor and coach I was seeking in this hire.“
Jones Schoonderwoerd, a former player under Coach Cook at Washington, boasts an impressive collegiate and professional résumé. She earned AVCA All-American honors and three All-Pac-12 honors during her four years at Washington, contributing to two Elite Eight appearances for the program. Notably, she continued her success in beach volleyball, earning All-American distinction as a graduate student at Cal Poly and making history as the second player to achieve All-American status in both indoor and beach volleyball.
Commenting on her decision to join the Gophers coaching staff, Jones Schoonderwoerd said, “Having played for coach Cook and understanding his goals and values, I knew I wanted to be a part of what he is building at Minnesota alongside coach Kelsay and coach Mendes.”
The coaching staff restructuring comes after the departure of assistant coaches Eric Barber and Kylin Muñoz. Jones Schoonderwoerd’s appointment, along with the recent hiring of assistant coach Pedro Mendes, signals a positive step forward for the Gophers as they prepare for the upcoming season.
“I can’t wait to get in the gym with this team,” expressed Jones Schoonderwoerd, reflecting the excitement and optimism surrounding the future of Minnesota Gophers volleyball under the guidance of Coach Keegan Cook and the newly assembled coaching team.
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