Alyssa Andreno was named an assistant volleyball coach in July of 2022.
"I am so excited to have Alyssa join our program," head coach Heather Gearhart commented. "I had the privilege of coaching Alyssa while I was at Tennessee and I feel incredibly fortunate to have someone of her character on the staff. She is a wonderful role model for our student-athletes and exemplifies the type of balance I want our players to have in their lives. Alyssa is an intense competitor and pursues excellence in everything she does. Most importantly, she has the best interest of the student-athletes in mind and wants to push them to grow and develop in every aspect of their lives during their time here."
In Andreno's first season in Rock Hill, she oversaw the team's blocking and improved the team's blocks per set by .20, coached both middle blockers to top 10 in the conference for blocks per set, and helped the Eagles to 39th overall in Division I in opposing hitting percentage at .175. The Eagles won 16 matches, finishing third in the conference, making it to the Big South Tournament Semifinals, and had six players named Big South All-Conference, including setter Isabella Murray winning the Conference's Freshman of the Year award. She coached all-Big South selections in Alayna Jansky, Avery Jolley, Isabella Murray, Brookelynn Thomas, and Karli Shepherd.
Andreno just finished her professional volleyball career; most recently playing middle blocker for SCU Emlichheim in Emlichheim, Germany in the German Bundesliga. For Emlichheim, Andreno was named match MVP four times throughout her season, which is voted by opposing team head coaches. Prior to her time in Germany, Andreno competed for the Malory Eagles in London, England.
Prior to her professional career, Andreno was a four-year member and team captain of the of Tennessee women's volleyball team. During her time with the Lady Vols, Andreno was a NCAA Woman of the Year nominee, which honors the academic achievements, athletics excellence, community service and leadership of graduating female college athletes from all three divisions. On the court, Andreno was named to the 2019 Tennessee Classic all-tournament team, MVP honors at the DISH Tennessee Classic, and earned a spot on the all-tournament team at the Rocky Top Invitational. Over her career she averaged 1.42 kills per set, .85 blocks per set, 1.92 points per set, and ended with 330 total blocks. The Vols went to the second round of the NCAA Tournament her junior year and finished second in the SEC.
"I am incredibly excited to join coach Gearhart and the Winthrop Volleyball program," Andreno said. "I am honored that Heather is trusting me to join her as she opens the next chapter of Winthrop volleyball. I am looking forward to working with the student-athletes, staff, and administration while continuing the tradition of excellence here in Rock Hill."
Andreno built an extensive leadership background during her time on Rocky Top as a member of the VOLeaders Academy, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and participation in the NCAA Career in Sports Forum and Black Student-Athlete Summit.
Her off the court accomplishments include; SEC Academic Honor Roll, Dean's List, SEC Community Service Team, University of Tennessee Service Medallion Recipient, Recipient of the Dr. Sharon B. Lord Women's Athletic Leadership Scholarship, Recipient of Brad Davis SEC Community Service Postgraduate Scholarship, Chancellor's Honors Extraordinary Academic Achievement Award Recipient, Lady Volunteer Academic Achievement Award Recipient 2018-2019, Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Second-Team, and earned the Academic Achiever Award.
Andreno has coached the past four years at K2 Volleyball Club in Knoxville, Tennessee with J and Chris Hames. She also assisted Knoxville powerhouse, Knoxville Catholic, to a state title game appearance in 2020. Andreno went to the United Arab Emirates to partner with USA Volleyball, the US State Department, and the Sharjah Sports Council to create a 5-day volleyball training program that included 40 coaches and over 400 athletes with emphasis on empowering women and girls through sport. She got her coaching start at Tennessee in 2016 assisting with their volleyball camps.Â
Andreno earned her bachelor's degree in recreation and sport management with a minor in business from Tennessee and her master's degree in business administration with distinction from the University of East London.
