ITHACA, N.Y. -- Sarah Bernson has been named the ninth Wendy Schaenen '79 Head Coach of Volleyball at Cornell after serving as an assistant coach the past five seasons. Andy Noel, the Meakem-Smith Director of Athletics and Physical Education, announced Bernson's promotion as a replacement for Deitre Collins-Parker, who accepted the head coaching position at San Diego State after leading the Big Red for the past five seasons.

In her five seasons with the Big Red, Bernson has helped the program to three Ivy titles (2004, 2005, 2006) and two NCAA tournament appearances (2005 and 2006). She has helped develop 16 All-Ivy
performers over that span. Bernson was in charge of the program's recruiting and worked with the outside hitters, including the Big Red's all-time kills leader and first volleyball All-American in school history, Elizabeth Bishop '07.

Prior to Cornell, Bernson spent three years as an assistant coach at Cal State-Monterey Bay. She helped guide Monterey Bay to the school record for wins in a season in 2003, earning a league playoff bid and winning its first postseason game. The Otters jumped from ninth place in the league in her first year to a third-place finish in 2002. Bernson's player development skills led to the program's first all-conference players in 2003.

In addition to assisting the Otter volleyball program, Bernson was the sports information, marketing, and promotional coordinator for the athletic department. She also started and operated the Monterey Volleyball Club, a youth development program geared to middle school and high school student-athletes. As club director, she incorporated Otter volleyball players as coaches for the program.

Bernson played on the right side and outside at Saint Mary's (Calif.) before a severe knee injury ended her collegiate career in 1998. She remained active as team captain as a senior before graduating in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in English and art.

During college, Bernson served as a coach for the Albuquerque Elite and Lamorinda Volleyball Clubs. For Albuquerque, she assisted for two seasons for the 18-and-unders and helped them to regional titles
along with wins at large tournaments such as the Colorado Crossroads. While on the coaching staff, she coached her sister, Nora, a former player under Deitre Collins-Parker at UNLV, along with former Ivy League Player of the Year and Cornell grad Robin Moore `00. At Lamorinda, she worked with 16-and-under athletes.

Bernson was an all-state honoree as a middle blocker for St. Pius X High School in Albuquerque before moving on to Saint Mary's.

The announcement marks the beginning of a busy summer for Bernson, who will depart later this weekend to attend the NCAA Women's Coaching Academy in Atlanta, Ga. The program is designed to provide skills training for coaches to assist them in being more efficient, productive, resourceful and successful. The program, running June 6-10, focuses on skills development, retention and mentoring.

With Bernson on board as the new head coach of the Cornell volleyball program, a search has been open and remains underway to fill the assistant coaching vacancy on the staff. Interested candidates can view the position posting and apply at http://www.ohr.cornell.edu/jobs/ and searching for job number 10497.