Salanoa joins UMKC
David Jordan
Issue date: 8/31/09 Section: Sports
The UMKC women's volleyball team plans to take its program to new heights.
On July 7, Head Coach Geno Frugoli officially announced an addition to the coaching staff - Conan Salanoa, the new assistant coach.
Salanoa is no stranger to competition. From 2006-2009 he led the KC Extreme women's club team. During his tenure with KC Extreme, his team qualified for nationals in all three seasons and finished as the 23rd ranked team in 2009.
Salanoa helped seven players earn Division I scholarships and five players earn Division II scholarships.
"Conan is awesome," said Assistant Coach Jean Rickert. "He knows the game inside and out. He's excellent to have with the girls - they listen to him and they're learning from him and he's a great addition to the team."
Salanoa also served as head coach at St. Pius X High School in Kansas City in 2008 and led the team to a 27-5 record.
Salanoa played collegiate volleyball at Graceland University as outside hitter/defensive specialist. The team was ranked as high as sixth in the nation at one point. Salanoa finished his career by earning academic all-conference honors.
Salanoa and his wife have been in Kansas City for the last five years and, according to Salanoa, they love it. But he doesn't like the winters since he is a native of Oahu, Hawaii.
Salanoa plans to bring the best out of the women's volleyball team by pushing them every day in practice.
For the up-and-coming season, Salanoa is very excited.
"I think we can do really well," he said. "I really think we can win the conference championship and make it to the NCAA tournament - and that's our goal, that's what I'm shooting for and that's what I'm expecting."
Salanoa received a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Graceland University in 2005 and a master's in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2007.
djordan@unews.com
On July 7, Head Coach Geno Frugoli officially announced an addition to the coaching staff - Conan Salanoa, the new assistant coach.
Salanoa is no stranger to competition. From 2006-2009 he led the KC Extreme women's club team. During his tenure with KC Extreme, his team qualified for nationals in all three seasons and finished as the 23rd ranked team in 2009.
Salanoa helped seven players earn Division I scholarships and five players earn Division II scholarships.
"Conan is awesome," said Assistant Coach Jean Rickert. "He knows the game inside and out. He's excellent to have with the girls - they listen to him and they're learning from him and he's a great addition to the team."
Salanoa also served as head coach at St. Pius X High School in Kansas City in 2008 and led the team to a 27-5 record.
Salanoa played collegiate volleyball at Graceland University as outside hitter/defensive specialist. The team was ranked as high as sixth in the nation at one point. Salanoa finished his career by earning academic all-conference honors.
Salanoa and his wife have been in Kansas City for the last five years and, according to Salanoa, they love it. But he doesn't like the winters since he is a native of Oahu, Hawaii.
Salanoa plans to bring the best out of the women's volleyball team by pushing them every day in practice.
For the up-and-coming season, Salanoa is very excited.
"I think we can do really well," he said. "I really think we can win the conference championship and make it to the NCAA tournament - and that's our goal, that's what I'm shooting for and that's what I'm expecting."
Salanoa received a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Graceland University in 2005 and a master's in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2007.
djordan@unews.com
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