Nassar, Hans Join Volleyball Coaching Staff

EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon volleyball head coach Matt Ulmer has announced the additions of Arica Nassar and Dalaney Hans to the UO coaching staff. Both join the program as assistant coaches.

Oregon will begin its 2023 campaign Aug. 25-27 at the Hawaiian Airlines Rainbow Wahine Classic, taking on San Diego, Northwestern and host Hawaii. The Ducks' home opener will double as the team's Pac-12 opener Friday, Sept. 22, against Oregon State. Season tickets are currently on sale.

Fans can get their first look at this year's team Saturday, Aug. 19 when Oregon hosts Portland State in an exhibition at Matthew Knight Arena. First serve is 6 p.m. for the preseason matchup.

Nassar spent five seasons on the Oregon State staff including the final three as an assistant coach. Over those three seasons, Nassar coached a trio of All-Pac-12 performers in Grace Massey, Kinley Swan and Izzi Szulczewski. Most recently, Swan was named to the all-conference freshman team and Szulczewski was an honorable mention pick.

Off the court, Oregon State earned 13 Pac-12 All-Academic honors in Nassar's time as an assistant.

"Arica is one of the best human beings I've had the pleasure of meeting in my coaching career," Ulmer said. "Our current and future student-athletes will gain so much joy on and off the court by having Arica in their lives.

"Arica has many ties to the state of Oregon, as well as Eugene. She understands what makes Oregon a premiere destination for student-athletes and will do a great job sharing that vision. Arica as the unique experience of playing and coaching against us. She knows our strengths and weaknesses and will help us grown to meet our goals."

Nassar's coaching career began as a volunteer assistant at UCLA in 2017. The Bruins finished the season with a 21-11 record and a trip to the NCAA regional semifinal. She then returned to Corvallis to serve as a graduate assistant for her alma mater in 2018 and 2019.

During her playing career in Corvallis (2011-14), Nassar became the second player in program history to eclipse 1,000 kills and 500 blocks. She finished with 1,033 kills and 540 blocks, good for third on the OSU top-10 list. Nassar also ranks among the top 20 in career kills and points.

On the heels of a standout senior campaign, Nassar was an All-Pac-12 honorable mention selection and led Oregon State to 21 wins with a trip to the NCAA regional semifinals—Sweet 16. That season, Nassar posted a career-high .346 hitting percentage and finished third in the league with 160 blocks.

The Menifee, Calif., native graduated in 2015 with a degree in chemistry. She was also a three-time all-conference academic performer.

Following her standout collegiate career, Nassar played professionally in Finland (WomanVolley, 2015-16) and Sweden (Engelholm, 2016-17) where she helped the team to league and Gran Prix titles.

Hans capped her collegiate playing career at South Carolina, leading the Gamecocks in assists during the 2022 season. One of two players to appear in every set, she also led South Carolina with 32 service aces and four double-double performances. Hans helped the Gamecocks to wins over three teams that were selected to the NCAA Tournament—Auburn, Florida and Miami.

"It's so exciting to have another former setter in the gym," Ulmer said. "Dalaney has played the setter position at a high level and will be a great mentor to our setting group. Like Arica, Dalaney is a really high-character individual that makes our lives better on a daily basis."

The Marietta, Ga., native reached 1,000 career assists in a win over the 12^th-ranked Gators. Between her time at South Carolina and Georgia, Hans amassed 1,359 assists, 444 digs and 60 service aces.

During her career in Athens, Hans played in 70 matches with 45 appearances as a junior and senior. She was part of UGA teams that reached 20 wins in 2017 and 2019, earning an NCAA Tournament bid in her sophomore season. Hans established career highs of 51 assists and 16 digs, both against Texas A&M.

In the classroom, Hans was a four-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll. She graduated from Georgia in 2021 with a degree in journalism while minoring in sports management. She is also on track to earn a master's degree from South Carolina in sport and entertainment management in December 2023.

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University of Oregon Athletics

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