Jane Hays promoted to Associate Head Coach of LA Tech Volleyball

RUSTON – Louisiana Tech volleyball head coach Amber McCray announced Thursday the promotion of Jane Hays to associate head coach.

Hays is entering her 10th season alongside McCray, including the fourth year at LA Tech, serving as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.

“We have steadily seen significant improvements every year in each aspect of our program that coach Hays oversees, primarily regarding our first contact,” said McCray. “She has the utmost respect of our student-athletes and it’s a direct reflection of how she pours into them. This is a beyond well- deserved honor for someone who is invaluable to our program.”

Hays’ coaching responsibilities for the Lady Techsters includes leading technical training for all serve receiving/passing, defensive concepts and team strategy. She is also the primary recruiter that is responsible for coordinating visits, correspondence with prospective student-athletes and being a primary identifier and evaluator of prospects.

“I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and cannot thank coach McCray enough for believing in me as a coach and mentor for our team,” said Hays. “I have had the privilege of learning from and working alongside coach McCray for the past 10 years and I would not be the coach or person I am today without the opportunities she has placed in front of me. It us truly an honor to work with our entire staff and student-athletes every day and I am excited for the future of our program.”

The Lady Techsters saw significant improvements from 2020 to 2021 in all three statistical categories that Hays oversees – increased digs per set (14.2 to 16.3), increased aces per set (0.7 to 1.3), and decreased team reception errors per set (1.7 to 1.3).

Last season, LA Tech finished second in Conference USA in digs per set behind only East division champion Rice thanks in large part to Second Team All-Conference USA selection McKenzie Johnson.

The then-freshman libero, who was recruited and coached by Hays, led all of C-USA in digs per set and broke both the LA Tech single-game record for total digs and the single-season record for digs per set.

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