PITTSBURGH – Head Coach Dan Fisher has announced changes to his coaching staff for the first time in seven seasons, promoting long-time assistant coach, Kellen Petrone, to Associate Head Coach while also hiring Kamalani Akeo as Assistant Coach after serving as the Director of Operations for the past two seasons.
Petrone, a member of the Pitt coaching staff since 2014, earned his promotion to associate head coach after spending the last seven seasons as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. He will retain his role as recruiting coordinator after securing the highest rated signing class in program history, this season, with the incoming 2023 class rated as high as No. 5 in the nation according to prepdig.com.
“Kellen has been an instrumental part in building Pitt volleyball into what it is over the last nine years that he’s worked here with us,” Fisher said. “I’m happy that his new title will properly reflect how much he means to this program, the university and the sport of volleyball in Pittsburgh.”
Petrone has served in nearly every capacity on this Pitt Volleyball staff being promoted from Director of Operations to Assistant Coach in 2016 and now, advancing to the associate role looking ahead to the 2023 season. A Pittsburgh native, Petrone has worked on the coaching staffs of his alma mater, Duquesne, Robert Morris and Pitt in his now 18-year coaching career.
“The moment I walked into one of coach Fisher’s practices 10 years ago, I knew special things would happen here under his leadership,” Petrone said. “I am incredibly grateful to have helped this program make history and for the relationships I’ve grown here. I want to thank Dan, Chris Hoppe and Heather Lyke for this new opportunity to be Associate Head Coach. There’s a lot to be excited about with the future of Pitt Volleyball. H2P!”
?????????????????? ???????? ??????????: Kellen Petrone
Congratulations @KellenPittVB on your well deserved promotion!#H2P pic.twitter.com/yUK94EjzjR
— Pitt Volleyball (@Pitt_VB) February 9, 2023
Akeo has been a familiar face around the program for the past eight years. She is one of the most decorated setters in program history, a 2019 Panther Award winner and member of Pitt’s prestigious Varsity Walk. She played from 2015-18 and earning ACC Setter of the Year honors, AVCA All East Coast Region and ranks third…
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