Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Volleyball adds Tammi Fries to coaching staff
05/06/2011 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
May 6, 2011
By Bill Ford
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southern Illinois volleyball coach Brenda Winkeler announced today the addition of Tammi Fries to her coaching staff.
Fries (pronounced freeze) comes to SIU from East Tennessee State, where she has served as assistant coach since 2006. She will fill the assistant coaching position formerly held by Julie Yankus, who left SIU to take over as head coach at Southeast Missouri State.
"I am very happy to be a part of the SIU volleyball program. The support and atmosphere surrounding Saluki Athletics makes this an exciting move for my family and I," Fries said. "I'd like to thank Coach Winkeler for this opportunity. I am looking forward to working with the team and I am excited about the future success of the program."
A native of Winnabow, N.C., Fries will start May 23 and her primary responsibilities will be assisting in recruiting and training the right sides and middle blockers.
"We are fortunate to have Tammi become a Saluki. She is a proven successful Division I coach," Winkeler said. "Tammi will bring experience in recruiting at the Division I level and she will also be a great addition in the gym, training middle blockers and right side hitters. We are excited to welcome her and her family to the Saluki Family"
Fries's primary responsibilities at ETSU were training middle and right side hitters and serving as the team's recruiting coordinator. She also assisted in practice planning and opponent scouting. Her tenure saw the Buccaneers average 18 wins per season over the last five years, including a 26-9 record and an appearance in the Atlantic Sun Tournament championship match in 2010.
Four Bucs players earned all-conference accolades under Fries's tutelage, including first-team All A-Sun selections Alysa Long (2010) and Jennifer Sartor (2006). In addition to her duties at ETSU, Fries served as the coach of the Kingsport Volleyball Club for the last five years.
Prior to ETSU, Fries completed her master's degree in sport management in 2006 at the University of Florida. She was involved in coaching at the club and high school level for two years in Gainesville, Fla., including stints with the Gainesville Juniors Volleyball Club and the Buchholz High School junior varsity team. She also served as operations intern for the Florida Gators volleyball team during spring 2006.
Fries completed her bachelor's degree in athletic training in 2004 at Campbell University, where she was a four-year letterwinner for the Fighting Camels volleyball team. She was voted Campbell's Most Valuable player in 2002 and served as a team captain in 2003. Fries earned academic all-conference honors all four years.
