Marquette University Athletics
Birath to Join Volleyball Staff
2/15/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Feb. 15, 2007
MILWAUKEE - Marquette volleyball head coach Pati Rolf has announced the hiring of former Connecticut outside/right side hitter Raftyn Birath as an assistant coach. Birath will join the coaching staff after spending the last three years as the head coach at Division III Presentation College in Aberdeen, S.D.
"I am really excited to have Raftyn on staff," said Rolf. "She is going to bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm to this team. The greatest attributes she brings to the program are her passion for volleyball, her energy level and her intensity. Due to her ability to take on multiple projects as seen at Presentation, she shows the kind of work ethic that is synonymous with Marquette."
"I am very excited about the opportunity to join the Marquette family," said Birath. "This is an amazing opportunity and I feel privileged to be able to work for such a prestigious university and athletic department. Coach Rolf is a dedicated, hardworking, and well established coach that I am excited to work with. Marquette volleyball is a great program and headed in the right direction. I am thrilled to be a part of all the great things to come."
Birath led Presentation to a 14-13 overall record, its first winning season ever, and a 5-9 Upper Midwest Athletic Conference record in 2006. The 14 victories were the most ever for the Saints as they made there first ever UMAC Final Four appearance. Birath was able to turn a program that went 5-25 in 2004 into a success just two seasons later.
In addition to her duties as head volleyball coach, she worked as the assistant women's softball coach, Student Athlete Advisory Committee director, Senior Woman Administrator, Athletic Web Master and in her first year at Presentation was also the assistant women's basketball coach.
At Connecticut, Birath double majored in history and psychology. Despite an injury-riddled career as a Husky, in 222 games, the four-year letterwinner recorded 446 kills, an average of 2.01 kills per game, and 189 blocks. In May she will graduate with a master' degree in educational studies from Northern State University.
The Golden Eagles finished 2006 with a 16-15 overall record and 10-4 record in the BIG EAST, advancing to the semifinals of the conference tournament. It was the third straight-season the squad has finished with record above .500. In 2007, Marquette will host its first BIG EAST Volleyball Tournament.
