Steve Novacek has been named assistant coach for the NDSU women’s volleyball team. He was an assistant coach at Winthrop University of the Big South Conference last year. He replaces Dave Manka, who resigned after one season at NDSU. Head women's volleyball coach Erich Hinterstocker announced the addition on July 13.
"Steve has a great blend of both technical teaching skills and playing experience that will help our players reach their potential," Hinterstocker said. "Having three setters on the roster for the first time, I felt it was important to bring someone in who had specifically coached the setting position."
A native of Buffalo, Minn., Novacek is no stranger to volleyball in the Upper Midwest. He was a graduate assistant at St. Cloud State University in 2005 and an assistant coach at the University of Minnesota-Duluth when the Bulldogs went 29-2 reaching the 2007 North Central Region final.
Novacek was a libero for the men's volleyball club at SCSU, where the team placed fifth in the national tournament in 2006. He also made a national tournament appearance with the UMD men's volleyball club.
Novacek earned a bachelor's degree in physical education and health education from UMD in 2005. He completed a master's degree in sport management from SCSU in 2007.