Gantt Steps Down, Malauulu Named Coach
9/25/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
seventh head coach in the history of Bobcat volleyball at the
end of the season, announced MSU Athletic Director Peter
Fields on Wednesday. Malauulu will replace Dave Gantt, who
will step down at the completion of the 2002 campaign to
become the Senior Associate Athletic Director of External
Operations for the Bobcats.
Malauulu, who is in her fifth season with the Bobcats, has
served as an assistant to Gantt and has been responsible for the
Bobcat Volleyball Camps, practice and match strategies,
recruiting, video exchange, and various external projects.
"I’m very excited about the opportunity that was presented to
me," Malauulu said. "I’ve been fortunate to serve as an
assistant coach under Dave Gantt for the last five years. The
Bobcat volleyball program has really grown during his leadership and I’m looking forward to
continuing that legacy. Montana State is a wonderful institution that offers our student-athletes
a unique learning experience. The support from the administration and community have been
outstanding. The change in head coaches will keep continuity within the program and that’s
crucial to our future successes."
The native of Carson, Calif., is a 1998 graduate of Oregon State University and played for the
Beavers from 1994-97. One of the best setters in PAC-10 history, she finished her career at
OSU with 5,368 assists, which at the time was the second most assists ever recorded in the
conference. Malauulu was an unprecedented four-year captain with the Beavers. She finished
her career first in assists, fifth in digs, eighth in hitting percentage and tenth in blocks. Malauulu
also held the top three single-season assist totals and was the school record-holder for most
assists in a match with 82 against the University of Oregon.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for Montana State to tap into the knowledge that Miya brings
with her experience as a student-athlete playing at a high level, and as an assistant under the
tutelage of Dave Gantt," Fields said. "She will allow for a smooth transition. Miya possesses a
lot of energy; is a quick study; and is a good person."
A highly touted high school recruit, Malauulu prepped at Bishop Montgomery in Torrance,
Calif., where she earned California Interscholastic Federation Player of the Year kudos. As a
club player with Nike-Ichiban, she was a three-time All-American and a USVBA Player of the
Year selection.
"I was flattered with the opportunity to move into administration," Gantt said. "One of the
reasons that makes this transition easier is knowing that the volleyball program will be left in
very capable hands. As the new head coach, Miya has a very solid base of knowledge, has
tremendous interpersonal skills with student-athletes, administration and within the community,
and has a quiet fire and competitive spirit."
In addition, assistant coach Jerry Wagner will be elevated to associate head coach with added
responsibilities within the program. Wagner has served the past four years on Gantt’s staff, and
has also had stints as an assistant at Oregon State and Montana. Wagner served as headcoach at MSU-Northern in 1987.
"Jerry has been an integral piece of the puzzle over the past four years," Gantt said. "Histireless efforts in recruiting, scheduling, team travel and overall knowledge of the game willcontinue to complement the Bobcat volleyball program for years to come."
The MSU coaching changes will go into effect at the conclusion of the volleyball season.
end of the season, announced MSU Athletic Director Peter
Fields on Wednesday. Malauulu will replace Dave Gantt, who
will step down at the completion of the 2002 campaign to
become the Senior Associate Athletic Director of External
Operations for the Bobcats.
Malauulu, who is in her fifth season with the Bobcats, has
served as an assistant to Gantt and has been responsible for the
Bobcat Volleyball Camps, practice and match strategies,
recruiting, video exchange, and various external projects.
"I’m very excited about the opportunity that was presented to
me," Malauulu said. "I’ve been fortunate to serve as an
assistant coach under Dave Gantt for the last five years. The
Bobcat volleyball program has really grown during his leadership and I’m looking forward to
continuing that legacy. Montana State is a wonderful institution that offers our student-athletes
a unique learning experience. The support from the administration and community have been
outstanding. The change in head coaches will keep continuity within the program and that’s
crucial to our future successes."
The native of Carson, Calif., is a 1998 graduate of Oregon State University and played for the
Beavers from 1994-97. One of the best setters in PAC-10 history, she finished her career at
OSU with 5,368 assists, which at the time was the second most assists ever recorded in the
conference. Malauulu was an unprecedented four-year captain with the Beavers. She finished
her career first in assists, fifth in digs, eighth in hitting percentage and tenth in blocks. Malauulu
also held the top three single-season assist totals and was the school record-holder for most
assists in a match with 82 against the University of Oregon.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for Montana State to tap into the knowledge that Miya brings
with her experience as a student-athlete playing at a high level, and as an assistant under the
tutelage of Dave Gantt," Fields said. "She will allow for a smooth transition. Miya possesses a
lot of energy; is a quick study; and is a good person."
A highly touted high school recruit, Malauulu prepped at Bishop Montgomery in Torrance,
Calif., where she earned California Interscholastic Federation Player of the Year kudos. As a
club player with Nike-Ichiban, she was a three-time All-American and a USVBA Player of the
Year selection.
"I was flattered with the opportunity to move into administration," Gantt said. "One of the
reasons that makes this transition easier is knowing that the volleyball program will be left in
very capable hands. As the new head coach, Miya has a very solid base of knowledge, has
tremendous interpersonal skills with student-athletes, administration and within the community,
and has a quiet fire and competitive spirit."
In addition, assistant coach Jerry Wagner will be elevated to associate head coach with added
responsibilities within the program. Wagner has served the past four years on Gantt’s staff, and
has also had stints as an assistant at Oregon State and Montana. Wagner served as headcoach at MSU-Northern in 1987.
"Jerry has been an integral piece of the puzzle over the past four years," Gantt said. "Histireless efforts in recruiting, scheduling, team travel and overall knowledge of the game willcontinue to complement the Bobcat volleyball program for years to come."
The MSU coaching changes will go into effect at the conclusion of the volleyball season.
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
