Fisher Adds Thomas as Volunteer Assistant Coach
8/23/2021 2:56:00 PM | Volleyball
Florida Native Arrives Following Five Seasons at Texas Tech
PITTSBURGH – Pitt volleyball head coach Dan Fisher has added Morgan Thomas to his staff as a volunteer assistant, as announced Monday.
"We're incredibly fortunate to have someone of Morgan's experience on our staff," Fisher said. "She is a great fit for our team culturally, and she's already made a huge impact on our program. We're looking forward to working with her and learning from her this year."
An experienced volleyball coach at the Power Five level, Thomas arrives in Pittsburgh following five seasons at Texas Tech, including three as associate head coach. She served as an assistant coach for two seasons (2016, 2017) before being elevated to associate head coach in 2018. She was the team's primary recruiting coordinator for all five seasons.
"I've known Coach Fisher and this staff for the last five years and have always respected them," Thomas said. "Now I'm excited to grow and learn from one of the best coaching staffs in the nation."
Her work with Tech's front line helped the Red Raiders reach their third consecutive winning season in 2019. Tech finished the season with a 17-13 overall record and a 7-9 mark in Big 12 Conference play – Tech's best league record since 2002. The Red Raiders also posted their best conference finish in program history after taking fifth place.
The Red Raiders collected more blocks than 11 of their opponents in 2019 and posted a whopping 16 blocks on two separate occasions.
Prior to her arrival at Texas Tech, Thomas spent two years as an assistant coach at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, where she helped the Islanders reach their best season in school history in 2015 at 31-5 overall with a spotless 16-0 mark in conference play. The squad captured the Southland Conference regular season and tournament crowns, securing the first NCAA Tournament berth in program history. The Islanders finished their 2015 season with four First-Team All-Southland Conference performers and two Southland Conference Players of the Year.
Thomas arrived to the Island University after spending two years as the graduate assistant for the University of South Carolina indoor volleyball team. In addition to her role with the Gamecocks' indoor program, Thomas assisted in the development of South Carolina's beach volleyball program as the director of beach volleyball operations. She oversaw the total operations of home events, while working closely with the coaching staff with on-campus recruiting efforts, team travel, and budget management.
Thomas was a four-year starter for the University of South Carolina-Upstate and a standout middle blocker. She set numerous school records, including career kills at 1,049 and career blocks with 315. The former team captain also was the first All-Atlantic Sun Conference selection in program history in 2011.
In addition to her college experience, Thomas served as head coach for Corpus Christi Force Volleyball Club from 2014-16, Magnum Volleyball Club in Columbia, S.C., from 2012-14, and Upward Stars in Spartanburg, South Carolina from 2008-12.
She graduated from USC-Upstate in 2012 with a bachelor's degree in communication studies and a minor in sociology before earning her master's degree in spot and entertainment management from the University of South Carolina in 2014.
Thomas attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School and played for the Boomers Volleyball Club from 2005-08.
A native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Thomas married her husband, Justin, in July 2021, in Mexico.
PITT VOLLEYBALL TICKETS
Volleyball tickets are now on sale! The flex season ticket package includes a total of 15 tickets, which can be used for any match. Tickets can be used traditionally (one ticket for each match) or in any combination (two tickets for six matches, four tickets for three matches, etc.).
To purchase tickets, contact the Panthers Ticket Office at 800-643-7488 or visit PittsburghPanthers.com.
Benefits for Flex Season Ticketholders:
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"We're incredibly fortunate to have someone of Morgan's experience on our staff," Fisher said. "She is a great fit for our team culturally, and she's already made a huge impact on our program. We're looking forward to working with her and learning from her this year."
An experienced volleyball coach at the Power Five level, Thomas arrives in Pittsburgh following five seasons at Texas Tech, including three as associate head coach. She served as an assistant coach for two seasons (2016, 2017) before being elevated to associate head coach in 2018. She was the team's primary recruiting coordinator for all five seasons.
"I've known Coach Fisher and this staff for the last five years and have always respected them," Thomas said. "Now I'm excited to grow and learn from one of the best coaching staffs in the nation."
Her work with Tech's front line helped the Red Raiders reach their third consecutive winning season in 2019. Tech finished the season with a 17-13 overall record and a 7-9 mark in Big 12 Conference play – Tech's best league record since 2002. The Red Raiders also posted their best conference finish in program history after taking fifth place.
The Red Raiders collected more blocks than 11 of their opponents in 2019 and posted a whopping 16 blocks on two separate occasions.
Prior to her arrival at Texas Tech, Thomas spent two years as an assistant coach at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, where she helped the Islanders reach their best season in school history in 2015 at 31-5 overall with a spotless 16-0 mark in conference play. The squad captured the Southland Conference regular season and tournament crowns, securing the first NCAA Tournament berth in program history. The Islanders finished their 2015 season with four First-Team All-Southland Conference performers and two Southland Conference Players of the Year.
Thomas arrived to the Island University after spending two years as the graduate assistant for the University of South Carolina indoor volleyball team. In addition to her role with the Gamecocks' indoor program, Thomas assisted in the development of South Carolina's beach volleyball program as the director of beach volleyball operations. She oversaw the total operations of home events, while working closely with the coaching staff with on-campus recruiting efforts, team travel, and budget management.
Thomas was a four-year starter for the University of South Carolina-Upstate and a standout middle blocker. She set numerous school records, including career kills at 1,049 and career blocks with 315. The former team captain also was the first All-Atlantic Sun Conference selection in program history in 2011.
In addition to her college experience, Thomas served as head coach for Corpus Christi Force Volleyball Club from 2014-16, Magnum Volleyball Club in Columbia, S.C., from 2012-14, and Upward Stars in Spartanburg, South Carolina from 2008-12.
She graduated from USC-Upstate in 2012 with a bachelor's degree in communication studies and a minor in sociology before earning her master's degree in spot and entertainment management from the University of South Carolina in 2014.
Thomas attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School and played for the Boomers Volleyball Club from 2005-08.
A native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Thomas married her husband, Justin, in July 2021, in Mexico.
PITT VOLLEYBALL TICKETS
Volleyball tickets are now on sale! The flex season ticket package includes a total of 15 tickets, which can be used for any match. Tickets can be used traditionally (one ticket for each match) or in any combination (two tickets for six matches, four tickets for three matches, etc.).
To purchase tickets, contact the Panthers Ticket Office at 800-643-7488 or visit PittsburghPanthers.com.
Benefits for Flex Season Ticketholders:
- Saving money on every match, instead of buying all separately
- Receiving up to three extra tickets beyond the "one-per-match" model
- Reserved seating at center court, up until 10 minutes prior to the beginning of the match
#H2P | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
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