July 29, 2004
Robyn Romansky, technical coordinator for the USA Women's Volleyball Team for the past three years, has been named assistant volleyball coach at Texas A&M, Aggie head coach Laurie Corbelli announced today.
Romansky, a 2004 graduate of Texas A&M, replaces Genny Wood-Volpe, who accepted a head coaching position at Rice University. Romansky will join the Aggies in September following the conclusion of the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, and her commitment to USA Volleyball.
"I have been surrounded by the best players and coaches in the world for the past three years," Romansky said. "I believe that I can bring the experience that I have gained during my time with the National Team back to Texas A&M and contribute to the continued success of the Aggie volleyball program."
The former Robyn Johnson is familiar with A&M, its volleyball program and the coaching staff, having served as a student manager for Corbelli and the Aggies for two seasons, beginning with the historical Elite Eight team in 1999. Throughout the 2000 season, Romansky stepped up and handled many of the duties of the assistant coach position, which was vacant following former A&M assistant Nicole (Lantagne) Welch's hiring as the head coach at the University of Miami prior to the start of the season.
"I sensed from the first time Robyn approached me about being a manager that she had a super amount of ambition and desire to become a high-level coach," Corbelli said. "I've seen her ambition and drive, and she is very serious about her work."
Prior to the 2001 season, Corbelli introduced Romansky to Toshi Yosida, the head coach for the USA Women's Volleyball Team and one of the most highly regarded coaches in the world in the sport of volleyball. He offered Romansky the job as technical coordinator.
During her stint with the National Team, Romansky has been responsible for scouting opponents, providing statistical information during matches and analyzing videotape footage of all matches. She is one of few scouts in the world who uses the Data Volley statistical program to record, analyze and break down data for the strategic needs of competition at the international level.
Romansky also runs drills during practice, develops players' individual skills and provides player evaluation to Yoshida. In addition, she is responsible for running practices during Yoshida's absence and has served as the assistant coach at the 2003 Mexicali Centennial Cup and the 2004 Pan American Cup.
"With the growth of the sport, we knew we wanted someone with experience at the international level," Corbelli said. "Robyn has spent three intense years on the international scene scouting the best players and teams in the world and identifying their weaknesses, and her insight and knowledge will be incredibly valuable.
"She also has been watching players of all levels come through the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, (Colo.), and she has a good idea of what we are shooting for. She has been exposed to some of the top up-and-coming talent in the nation."
Along with her extensive analytical and court responsibilities, Romansky handles a wide range of administrative duties required for the team's competitions around the world. She plans and coordinates all team travel and serves as the team representative with hotels, food providers, tournament organizers and handles all financial matters while on team trips. She also arranges for practice facilities and is occasionally appointed by USA Volleyball to represent the team and organization as the Head of Delegation and, therefore, attends all meetings that coincide with the international tournaments.
"Robyn has been involved at a higher level and has been coordinating the entire USA Volleyball program from administrative duties and all the politics involved with world travel," Corbelli said. "She has undertaken a lot of responsibilities and has received tremendous kudos for all of her hard work. It was a perfect way for her to prepare for this. And it is a big bonus for us is that she also knows A&M."
While based in Colorado Springs with the National Team, Romansky also served as a coach for the Thundercats Volleyball Club and continued her college studies through correspondence courses. She received her bachelor's of science degree in kinesiology from A&M in May.
"I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to return to my alma mater to begin my collegiate coaching career," Romansky said. "Laurie and John Corbelli are fantastic coaches, and the traditions of the university, the energy of the student body and the hospitality of the community are why I look forward to calling Aggieland home once again.
"I am indebted to Toshi for my experience with USA Volleyball, and I believe that my professional development during the last three years can be invaluable to the program at A&M."
The Hallettsville, Texas, native attended Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, for two years following her graduation from Sacred Heart High School in Halletsville, in 1997. She played volleyball for the NCAA Division III school for two seasons and was a member of the dean's list and the student-athlete advisory council before transferring to A&M in 1999.
Romansky married Thaddeus Romansky of Colorado Springs in January.