Central Valley native and an accomplished volleyball coach Mallori Gibson has been named head coach of the Cal State Stanislaus women's volleyball program, as it was announced by Director of Athletics Michael Matoso on Monday.
"I am thrilled that Mallori has accepted our position as our next head coach to lead our program," Matoso said. "Mallori has competed and coached at the top levels and will bring in the enthusiasm and work ethic needed to build our program to a CCAA contender. She is familiar with the region and quality of talented prospects that we can keep in the valley and represent us at Stanislaus."
Gibson becomes the volleyball program's fifth head coach and will begin her post as the newest member of the Warrior Athletics staff on Jan. 19, just prior to the beginning of the spring semester.
"I want to thank Director of Athletics Mike Matoso and the administration for the privilege and honor to lead the Cal State Stanislaus volleyball team. I'm thrilled to have the chance to rebuild this program as one of the top teams in the California Collegiate Athletics Association," Gibson stated.
Gibson was regarded as one of the most respected assistant coaches in the Mountain West Conference during her last four seasons on the Fresno State staff. As the team's recruiting coordinator, Gibson worked with the Bulldogs' outside hitters and defensive specialists. Her other duties include scouting, community service, summer camp coordination, travel operations, equipment and academic support.
"My goal for this program is to not only rise to the top of our conference but also graduate young women who excel in the classroom and become positive role models within the community," said Gibson. "I believe that integrating my vision along with the impressive plans and strong values of the athletic department and university will make for a bright future."
A native of Bakersfield, Gibson previously played professionally in the Premier Volleyball League and oversees in Greece. In 2011, she helped lead the Olympiacos in capturing the Greek Cup Gold Medal.
Gibson had a standout career as a NCAA Division I student-athlete. She started her collegiate playing career at the University of Colorado before transferring to the University of the Pacific, where she was a two-time first-team All-Big West Conference outside hitter.
Overall, Gibson finished with 694 kills in her two seasons at Pacific and 1,372 total kills in her collegiate career.
Gibson also earned many academic awards while at Pacific. A two-time Academic All-Big West Team honoree, she was selected as Senior of the Year for Sports Management, and graduated with honors, Magna Cum Laude. She then served as a volunteer assistant coach at Pacific while completing coursework toward her Masters of Arts in Sports Sciences.
As a prep standout from Bakersfield's Foothill High School, Gibson was one of PrepVolleyball.com's Top 250 players in the nation. The Kern County Player of the Year led the county in kills, digs and aces all four years in high school and set the school's all-time kill record. Gibson was also a four-time all-league selection in both volleyball and basketball. She also won six league titles in track and field (shot put, long jump and pole vault).
Gibson married Joey Rossi, a strength and conditioning coach at the University of the Pacific, this past summer.