BOONE, N.C. - Appalachian State University volleyball announced the addition of volunteer assistant Efrain Negron to the coaching staff on Thursday.
Negron joins the Mountaineers after spending one season as an assistant coach of the women's volleyball team at Western Texas. Previously, Negron was a four-year starter at the libero position on the men's team at Lees-McRae College.
“I'm very happy to have Efrain join the App volleyball coaching staff this season," said head coach Matt Ginipro. "Because he was around our program a lot during his time at Lees McRae, he knows our culture and how we do things as a staff. He was an outstanding libero in college and played with a ton of energy, so I'm excited to get that personality in the gym with our players. When we spoke to him about coming to Boone, I could immediately tell he was passionate about pursuing collegiate coaching as a career and that's going to make him an excellent addition to our program.”
As a player, Negron was a three-time all-conference player, while also being the all-time leader in program history for digs and digs per set. During the 2012 season he finished fifth in the nation in digs per set, while during his junior and senior season ranked in the top-20.
In 2012, Negron traveled to Hawaii and Japan to compete in the 24th Asian Pacific Cup as a member of the USA volleyball team.
Negron began his coaching career in college, working as a student-assistant to the women's team at Lees-McRae and helping the team to two Conference Carolinas Championships and NCAA tournament berths. In addition, he has coached for Blocksport Volleyball Club in Dallas, Texas and Top Select Volleyball Academy in Orlando, Fla.
"First of all, I have to thank head coach Matt Ginipro, associate head coach Chad Willis, and assistant coach Anna Wagner for this unique opportunity to join their program and staff," said Negron. "I'm excited to have the privilege and honor to be working for such an outstanding team of professionals. I look forward to learning from them and to contribute to the success of this volleyball program."
