Women's Volleyball | 7/25/2017 8:00:00 AM

SAN FRANCISCO – Kolby Kanetake, a former AVCA All-American libero at Hawaii, has been selected to assist the San Francisco volleyball team, announced today by head coach Frank Lavrisha.

Kanetake comes to the Dons after spending last season on the bench for the Cal Bears in his first year in the collegiate coaching ranks.

"We are excited to have Kolby join the USF coaching staff as he brings a wealth of volleyball experience and a genuine interest in coaching players and teams to achieve their best," noted Lavrisha. "Kolby's playing experience at the University of Hawaii will give our staff a legitimate defensive perspective of the game. He will spearhead our scouting, statistics, and video work. In addition, Kolby will assist with the beach program. We anticipate that Kolby will make a significant impact on our program."

While at Hawaii, Kanetake earned All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation honors as well as distinction among the nation's best with All-American selections in 2015 and '16. The two-year captain left the Rainbow Warriors program ranked third on the career digs list with 775, and stands in sixth in dig average (2.34 digs/set). The team enjoyed much success with Kanetake directing the defense, including a 24-7 overall record, a 16 match winning streak and sixth place finish in the NCAA championships in 2015.

After earning his degree in kinesiology and rehabilitation science, the Honolulu native spent the spring of 2016 assisting at his alma mater, training the liberos in defense and serve reception. He then landed at Cal where he spent last season as a volunteer assistant for the Bears' program.

Along with his college playing and coaching skills, Kanetake most recently served as the head girls coach at the Pacific Rim Volleyball Academy (Pleasant Hill, Calif.), and led the boys' team at the A'oa Koa Volleyball Club (Honolulu, Hawaii) in 2016.

"I am very grateful for the opportunity that Scott Sidwell, Joan McDermott and Frank Lavrisha have given me here at USF," said Kanetake. "I am happy to be a part of the USF family, and I can't wait to get started working towards the vision that we have for USF Volleyball in the years to come."

The Dons open the 2017 season next month, as USF begins a new era of volleyball on the Hilltop on Aug. 25 hosting Nevada, Fresno State and San Jose State in a season-opening tournament. Purchase your season or single-game tickets now to Rock the Hilltop this fall!