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Jun 14, 2023

Volleyball Adds Derrick Bennett as Assistant Coach

CHATTANOOGA --- Chattanooga indoor volleyball has officially added Derrick Bennett as the team's new assistant coach, director of volleyball Julie Torbett announced on Wednesday.Bennett joins UTC

CHATTANOOGA --- Chattanooga indoor volleyball has officially added Derrick Bennett as the team's new assistant coach, director of volleyball Julie Torbett announced on Wednesday.Bennett joins UTC having over a decade of playing and coaching experience under his belt, including stops at Florida State University, Saint Leo University and Southeastern Oklahoma State. While on staff at these programs, Bennett brought a level of success that included deep tournament runs and national recognition."I am extremely excited to join the UTC Mocs volleyball staff," Bennett said. "I look forward to learning from both Coach Torbett and Coach Van Horn! After meeting the staff and the team, I feel as though I have found my home here in Chattanooga. I am confident that we are going to have an amazing season."Prior to his hiring at UTC, Bennett held the role of technical coordinator with the prestigious Florida State University indoor volleyball program during the 2021 season. It was there that Bennett helped with opponent scouting and analyzing individual and team performance data. In 2021 the Seminoles finished with a record of 20-10 on the year, reaching the Second Round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament.Before joining the Seminoles Bennett held the role of volunteer assistant coach at Saint Leo University for multiple seasons, coaching both the indoor and beach programs from 2019 to 2021. During the 2019 season, Bennett helped the Lions finish with a record of 24-11 on the indoor side, capturing their first NCAA South Region Championship along with an NCAA Elite Eight appearance.While with the beach program, Bennett helped the Lions finish 12-5 in 2021 enroute to placing fifth at the 2021 AVCA National Championship. In his time at Saint Leo, Bennett guided a total of four players to achieve South Region All-Tournament honors, as well as helping one player be named First Team All-Sunshine State Conference, First Team All-Region by the AVCA and D2CCA, as well as AVCA All-American Honorable Mention.Bennett's first collegiate coaching stop was at Southeastern Oklahoma State from 2014 to 2015, where he held the role of volunteer assistant coach. While there, the Savage Storm finished third in the Great American Conference with a record of 10-4. Bennett also helped a total of four players get recognized with All-GAC honors.Bennett has also recently been serving as a training coach for Gold Medal Squared, where he provided coaching camps and clinics to some of the nation's top high school volleyball players. Adjacent to his coaching work, Bennett has worked as referee for USAV, AAU, FHSAA and PAVO levels of competition.Bennett is a 2008 graduate of Warner University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science along with a minor in coaching. Bennett also played on Warner's men's volleyball team during his time at the university, serving as a defensive specialist and libero for the Royals.FOLLOW CHATTANOOGA VOLLEYBALLFollow @GoMocsVB on Twitter and @GoMocsVolleyball on Instagram for the most up-to-date information and news regarding Chattanooga volleyball.Buy officially licensed gear in our online store. The Mocs can also be followed on their official Facebook page or on Twitter. Find out how to join the UTC Mocs Club and support more than 300 student-athletes by clicking here. Check out the Mocs on the Mic podcast here.

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