Marshall tabs Aganus as next head volleyball coach

Marshall University named Ariana Aganus the school’s new women’s volleyball head coach Wednesday.

“Our goal is to bring Marshall back to a winning volleyball program,” Aganus said. “Beyond that, it is to get our athletes graduated, and we want them to have a great experience [at Marshall].”

Aganus comes to Huntington from Grand Canyon University, where she was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. Aganus worked for the Lopes for three seasons.

Before her time at GCU, Aganus was the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the University of San Francisco. During the 2015 season, the Dons went 17-14, including a 13-match winning streak.

“I have coached under some of the most experienced men and women,” Aganus said. “I have been at every level, and I have been able to mold a coaching style that I believe is going to be the most successful for Conference USA and Marshall, specifically.”

Aganus also was the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Clemson for one season. While she was there, the Tigers went 18-13 overall, and she assisted in the addition of five new players.

Prior to her time with the Tigers, Aganus spent one season at Wofford. She worked primarily with the defensive specialist. She also served as the team’s recruiting coordinator, travel coordinator and film specialist.

Aganus’ collegiate playing career started a Kishwaukee College where she led her team to its third consecutive NJCAA Division II National Championship. While at Kishwaukee she was team captain and All-Arrowhead Conference selection,as well as finishing 56-3 overall. She finished her last two years at North Alabama, where they went to the NCAA Division II Tournament both seasons. Aganus made the transition from player to graduate assistant at North Alabama in 2011, where she remained for two years.

“I know a couple people that have gone to Marshall, and they bleed a distinct piece of green that I never really understood before,” Aganus said. “When I saw that the job was open, and got an understanding that it could be a future for me, it was a no-brainer because of the pride that is here at Marshall.”

Sydney Shelton can be contacted at [email protected]