Sam Greenslade has been announced as the assistant women's volleyball coach.
"I couldn't be more excited to have Sam join our program and to welcome him and his fiancé, Jacy, to Rock Hill", head coach Heather Gearhart said. "Sam came incredibly highly recommended from people in the coaching world who have been in some of the best collegiate and international gyms. It became clear after talking with him that he's intelligent, hard-working, and willing to do what it takes to elevate our program. He was a high-caliber player and a servant leader in his playing days at George Mason and will be an excellent teacher for our student-athletes in more ways than one. Sam is a rising star in the coaching profession and going to make an immediate impact on the way we do things here."
In Greenslade’s first season with the Eagles, the squad reached the Big South Championship match before falling in five sets. Greenslade oversaw the team’s offensive which ranked second in conference play in hitting percentage, points, assists, and kills. The team was invited to the NIVC Tournament, competing in a postseason for the first time since 2019 as well as upsetting in state foe South Carolina for the first time since 2013.
Greenslade is joining the Eagles after two years as a graduate assistant coach in the SEC at Ole Miss. In 2022, Greenslade helped lead Ole Miss to an 11-17 record, including a 7-11 mark in conference play. He took over as acting assistant coach in October, coordinating the Rebels' defensive efforts for the final stretch of the season. Working with the defense, Greenslade helped middle blocker Sasha Ratliff earn her second All-SEC and AVCA South All-Region nod and guided junior Payton Brgoch to the fourth-most blocks in a single season in program history.
"I am beyond excited to be joining the Winthrop coaching staff. This program is full of great athletes and great young ladies who I am eager to be working with daily," Greenslade said. "Thank you to Coach Gearhart and the Athletic Department for giving me the opportunity to start my career in Rock Hill. Go Eagles!
In his first season with the Rebels, Greenslade was part of the best turnaround in Division I Volleyball. Greenslade helped Ole Miss improve from 1-19 in 2020-21 to 21-9 in 2021, a 65 percent increase in winning percentage. He assisted in the Rebels' return to the Big Dance, helping Ole Miss go 8-3 through its final 11 games to earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Under Greenslade, the Rebels broke multiple program records, including total team blocks in a season (479), total team block assists (427) and team attacking percentage (.255). He also helped three Rebels earn ACVA South All-Region honors.
Greenslade competed for the men's volleyball program at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. A five-time letter winner and team captain for the Patriots at outside hitter, Greenslade was an outside hitter earning first team All-EIVA in 2019 and second team All-EIVA selections in 2020 and 2021. Over his career he averaged 2.94 points per set, 141 total blocks, 2.34 kills per set, .241 hitting, and tied for third in program history with a total of 110 service aces.
Greenslade earned his Bachelor's in Mathematics with a minor in Sport Management from George Mason as well as a graduate certificate in Business Analytics. During his time at Ole Miss, he earned his Master's Degree in Sports Analytics.
