Larranaga tabs Foland as next volleyball assistant coach
June 3, 2013
Chris Brooks
907-474-6805
Alaska Nanooks volleyball head coach Mallory Larranaga announced Friday the hiring of Jamie Foland as the program's next assistant coach after she's been a part of Nanook volleyball for the past 13 years as both a student-athlete and a volunteer assistant coach. She will assume her new position beginning July 1.
“I feel very blessed and am extremely grateful to Mal for the opportunity to work alongside her and take the program to new heights,” Foland said. “Growing up, I always wanted to be a coach and a teacher and this role is the perfect synergy of those aspirations and my life's passion in the place I call home and for the program I love.”
The Poway, Calif., native worked as the volunteer assistant coach for former head coach Phil Shoemaker from 2003 until 2012 and current head coach Larranaga since her hiring in January.
“As a volunteer assistant coach for the past 10 seasons, Jamie is a great example of character and loyalty,” Larranaga said. “She embodies the qualities we want to be known for as a program. Our athletes have gained a positive mentor as well as a tough, talented coach. I'm so proud to take on this journey with Jamie as she will push us all to be better in all areas. Her work ethic and commitment to Nanook athletics is inspiring and motivating.”
Foland also coached with Alaska Volleyball Camps for seven summers and had previous coaching experience with boys and girls high school and club volleyball back home in San Diego.
Alaska's director of media relations since 2005, Foland has been responsible for overseeing the media efforts for an athletic department that has produced six College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-Americans since her hire after Alaska had just one in the previous 25 years as an NCAA sponsored institution. She spearheaded the expansion of the Nanooks' online presence with two full website redesigns, helped expand the department's live, social and multimedia coverage, and has served as the tournament director for each of Alaska's four annually-sponsored events.
Prior to her professional career at her alma mater, Foland played three seasons for the Nanooks from 2000-02, including the final two as a teammate with Larranaga. She was a two-time captain that was named to the Daktronics All-West Region Second Team in 2000 as a defensive specialist after ranking third in the Pacific West Conference in aces per game (0.58) and 10th in digs per game (3.07).
In its inaugural season (2001), Foland led the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in digs (3.75 dps; 334 total) and was fourth in service aces (0.52 per set) as a junior. She ranked sixth in digs (3.89 dps; 346 total) and third in aces (0.51 per set) as a senior in 2002.
She has held a GNAC single-match record since 2001 as is tied for the league record for aces in a five-set match with eight. In the history of the GNAC, she still ranks third on the career list for aces per set (0.53) and seventh in total aces (140).
Off the court, she was a Who's Who Among College Students in 2001 and also named to the 2002 Great Northwest Athletic Conference All-Academic Team. She graduated in 2005 from the University of Alaska Fairbanks with a Bachelor of Arts in Hispanic Studies while minoring in linguistics.
“Alaska Volleyball and UAF have been a huge part of my life for the past 13 years,” Foland said. “Since my playing career ended my heart has always been with the program, even when my role as a volunteer coach was limited by my primary responsibilities as SID. I am very eager and excited to devote my full attention and energy into giving back to the program that has helped shape who I am.”
The Nanooks, under their new leadership at both the head and assistant coaching positions, open the 2013 regular season Aug. 29 at Hawaii-Hilo in the first of four matches on the Hawaiian Islands.
For more information, contact Chris Brooks , Media Relations Assistant, at cpbrooks@alaska.edu.