June 21, 2007
Eagles add Parra to coaching staff
EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana volleyball team announced the hiring of former University of Ohio standout setter Savanah Parra to its coaching staff for the 2007 season. Parra takes over for former assistant coach Kyle Walton, who took a similar position at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and will assist Head Coach Leah Mercer in all aspects of the USI volleyball program.
Parra was a two-year starting setter at Ohio where she racked up more than 3,100 assists during her junior and senior seasons, including a school-record 1,704 assists as a junior in 2005.
During her four-year career at Ohio, the Bobcats were an astonishing 118-16 overall and 47-1 in Mid-American Conference play. Ohio also won four straight MAC regular-season and tournament titles while appearing in four NCAA Division I Tournaments including the 2005 Sweet 16.
As Ohio's starting setter, the Bobcats were 61-8 overall and 32-0 in the MAC. She also averaged 14.10 assists per game and was twice named second-team All-MAC during her junior and senior year. She was the 2005 MAC Tournament Most Valuable Player and was an honorable mention selection on the AVCA All-Mideast Region team.
"Savanah comes from a highly successful Division I program and that experience will benefit our program," Mercer said. "I feel fortunate to have someone with Savanah's experience and background on my staff."
A native of Temecula, California, Parra graduated from Ohio this past spring with a bachelor's degree in hearing, speech and language sciences. She will be pursuing her master's degree in social work from USI.
Dan McDonnell,
USI Sports Information
