Nieves takes over as volleyball coach

Ruben Nieves named new women's volleyball coach

Staff Reports
The Collegian

The search for a replacement for Lindy Vivas as head coach of the Fresno State volleyball team ended when athletic director Scott Johnson announced the hiring of Ruben Nieves on Friday.

Nieves, who has a .660 winning percentage as a head volleyball coach, was the head coach of the Stanford men’s volleyball program for 11 seasons, leading the Cardinal to the NCAA championship in 1997 and a top-10 ranking in eight of Nieves’ 11 seasons at the helm. Nieves was selected American Volleyball Coaches Association national coach of the year in 1992 and 1997. His 179 victories as coach of Stanford rank as the most in school history.

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to direct the Fresno State volleyball program,” Nieves said. “This is a place that I believe has all the necessary ingredients to build something truly special. This job presents an exciting blend of challenge and opportunity.”

Nieves guided Stanford to a 27-3 record in 1997 and a win over conference-rival UCLA in the NCAA championship game and was named AVCA coach of the year.

In 1992, his second season as head coach of the Cardinal, he led Stanford to 24 wins — still third in school history — and garnered his first coach of the year award.

But not all of Nieves’ volleyball experience is with men’s teams. He was an assistant on the Stanford women’s team from 1986-88. During his years as an assistant, Stanford reached the final four twice, including the 1987 championship match.