June 4, 2013

Zelenock announces final piece to volleyball team puzzle

Head coach Dave Zelenock has announced that former Delaware State standout and LaSalle assistant Cassandra Joyner is the latest addition to the Tennessee Tech volleyball program. Joyner will join Zelenock and Claire Lindner on the coaching staff this fall.

By Erin Bean, TTU Sports Information Intern

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Tech volleyball head coach Dave Zelenock has announced that former Deleware State standout and LaSalle assistant Cassandra Joyner is the latest addition to the Golden Eagle volleyball program. Joyner will join Zelenock and assistant coach Claire Lindner on the TTU coaching staff this fall.

"CJ is a passionate, hard-working person and we are extremely lucky to add her to our staff," said Zelenock. "She played for me seven or eight years ago, and I thought she would turn into a coach. As a player she was a leader, spoke up in the huddle, and made her strategies known to me, which is a quality I always respected."

Joyner, a 2010 graduate of Delaware State with a major in Psychology, became the school's first player to reach 1,000 kills and ended her career with 1,272 winners to go along with 888 career digs and 310 career blocks.

"I am so excited to be coaching at Tech," Joyner said. "I can tell that this team has a lot of promise and I want to be a part of helping grow these young women to their full potential both on and off the court."

Prior to Tech, Joyner was an assistant volleyball coach at La Salle University in Philadelphia, Pa. A member of the staff for three seasons, Joyner helped the Explorers improve each year in the Atlantic 10 Conference.

"As a coach, I look for many things on the court," added Joyner. "Whether it's scouting or during a match, I have learned to recognizesituations while playing in college. I feel this knowledge helps me to be a better coach to my players. Having had that experience, I am able to let them know what to look for if they are struggling or to help them stay one step ahead."

A four-year letterwinner and team captain, Joyner led the Lady Hornets in kills, blocks and digs in both 2008 and 2009. A two-time All-MEAC first team selection, Joyner finished third in the MEAC in points (4.13 pg), fourth in kills (3.32 pg) and sixth in hitting percentage (.283) during her final season with the Hornets.

Joyner was also featured in COBRA magazine, and was an active member of the Student-AthletemAdvisory Committee during her stint at Delaware State. During her collegiate career, she also coached the Delaware Juniors 17-18s club volleyball team in Dover, as well as serving as camp counselor/assistant coach for several summer volleyball camps.