KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Avila University's Athletic Director Anthony Hall announced today the hiring of Krista Newman as the new volleyball head coach. 

Newman graduated from Northwest Missouri State University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology with a minor in coaching. As a player at Northwest Missouri State, she led the team in kills and kills-per-game percentage, and she set a school record for most kills in a game (31). Additionally, Newman was named to the 2002 All-Missouri Valley Conference team for volleyball.  

Newman joins the Eagle coaching staff with more than eight years of coaching experience. She was the head volleyball coach at Chicago State University, an NCAA Division I program, and also served as an assistant coach at Longview Community College. Most recently, she was the head coach of the KC Power Volleyball Club, where her teams finished fifth at the 2009 United States of America Volleyball (USAV) National Junior Volleyball Championships and in the top five in two USAV national qualifiers.

"We are excited to welcome Krista to the athletic department, and I believe she will be a really good fit for Avila University," Hall said. "She has a strong connection to the Kansas City club teams and has made many great relationships in this community."

Avila University is a Catholic, co-educational, values-based liberal arts institution founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, offering undergraduate, graduate and adult degree programs. Avila University is located at 119th and Wornall Rd. in southwest suburban Kansas City, Mo.