Head Citadel volleyball coach Dave Zelenock has announced the hiring of Michelle Cole as the Bulldogs new assistant coach. Cole, who comes to Charleston after spending the last two seasons at Texas A&M Corpus Christi, will focus on working with the Bulldogs outside hitters and defense. Michelle is a great addition to the program and we are very lucky to have her, Zelenock said. She compliments my style of coaching very well and it has been a great atmosphere in the gym and office to have that balance on staff. Her impact has already been felt on our defense and passing as both have shown great improvement this spring. Her energy and enthusiasm for The Citadel is obvious to everyone who comes in contact with her and we are excited to continue to work towards the 2018 season. I am excited to be a part of the future of Citadel volleyball. This is a very special place to coach and our cadet-athletes have an incredible work ethic, Cole said. Even in the short time I have had with the team, they have managed to inspire me with their resiliency. I am grateful that Dave has given me the opportunity to help facilitate his vision for this program. Cole spent the 2016 and 2017 seasons with the Islanders indoor and beach teams. She helped guide the indoor team to the Southland Conference regular-season and tournament titles in 2016, earning a berth in the NCAA Tournament. While in Corpus Christi, Cole coached up Brittany Gilpin as she switched positions from middle blocker to outside hitter, earning first-team All-Region and All-Southland Conference honors. Gilpin was also named the Southland Conference Player of the Year and the TAMUCC Female Student-Athlete of the Year. Cole also coached libero Kate Klepetka, the 2016 Southland Conference Libero of the Year and All-Southland Conference first-team selection. Prior to her time in Corpus Christi, Cole served as the assistant coach at the University of South Dakota for two seasons. While in Vermillion, Cole focused on the scouting and recruiting of student-athletes for both the indoor and beach volleyball programs. On the court, Cole spent the majority of her time coaching the Coyotes defense. Prior to joining the staff at USD, Cole spent the 2013 season at Division II Azusa Pacific University. During her season at Azusa Pacific, she helped the Cougars to a 2013 National Christian Colleges Athletic Association championship match appearance. Before the stint at Azusa Pacific, Cole spent two years at Occidental College in Eagle Rock, Calif., where she served as the assistant coach in 2005 and head coach in 2006. Cole went on to become the club director and coach of The Elite Volleyball Club in Chatsworth, Calif., from 2009-13. A 2001 graduate of Texas A&M, Cole was a four-year starter with the Aggies. In her senior season, Cole earned first-team All-Big 12 honors as well as All-Region honors. Cole helped the Aggies to a pair of Elite Eight appearances during her four seasons.