Risley Named Full-Time Volleyball Assistant Coach
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss Volleyball Coach Santiago Restrepo has announced Laura Risley’s promotion to full-time assistant coach, pending approval by the IHL Board. The upcoming 2002 season is Risley’s second working with the squad.

“Laura has been a great contributor to our program,” said Restrepo. “I am grateful she remains on staff and now has the responsibility of a full-time assistant coach. Her leadership skills will benefit the players, especially the younger ones we have coming in this year.”

Risley’s responsibilities include recruiting, conditioning, on-the-floor coaching and administrative duties. She came to Southern Miss after a successful playing career at Saint Louis University.

Prior to coming to Southern Miss, she coached USVBA club volleyball in St. Louis for three years. Her 2000-2001 Elite VBC Club Team was a junior national qualifier. She also gained coaching experience as an instructor at various volleyball camps.

A two-time first-team All-Conference USA selection, Risley was named the league’s Co-Player of the Year during her senior season in 1999. She was named to the All-District VI team for two- consecutive seasons. The former hitter finished her career with 1,636 kills, 912 digs and 113 aces, and ranks third on the Billikins’ all-time kills list. She prepped at Marissa Junior-Senior High School, where she was a four-year letterwinner in volleyball and earned two letters in softball.

Risley received her bachelor’s degree in education in 2001 from Saint Louis. She was a two-time first-team academic all-district selection. She completed work on her master’s degree in athletic administration at Southern Miss.

A native of Marissa, Ill., Risley is the daughter of Bonnie and John Risley.