MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama volleyball head coach Jesse Ortiz announced the addition of Maris Below as assistant coach to the Jaguar coaching staff on Wednesday.

Below was a three-year captain and four-year letterwinner at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where she earned all-MAC honorable mention as a senior at outside hitter in 2016 after recording 269 kills and 282 digs. Ortiz was an assistant coach at Miami for the first two years of Below's career. After finishing her career at Miami, Below played professionally in Austria for Steelvolleys Linz-Steg in 2017-18.

"I am very excited to announce Maris Below as our newest coaching addition to the South Alabama volleyball program and athletic family," Ortiz said. "Maris was a celebrated and highly-decorated player. She has extensive experience in postseason and tournament championship-level play. She was an integral member of the Miami Redhawk teams that set NCAA records and ranked among the elite in the NCAA in defense and consecutive sets won. With her career as a successful NCAA student-athlete, and her overseas pro experience, Maris will bring a wealth of knowledge and perspective that will benefit every member of our program."

Below participated in the Community Olympic Development Program as a coach in 2015, and also coached Borderline Volleyball Club in 2016-17.

"Maris is, and has always been, a winner," Ortiz said. "Her dedication and drive to succeed adds to our culture tremendously. She has 'lived in' the systems that we will be teaching our student-athletes. She will be an example that each of our team members can look to as a 'guide' to what a high-level athlete and professional can be."

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with USAJaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at Twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

Join the Rally Score Club, the volleyball specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund. All donations to the Rally Score Club go directly to support the South Alabama volleyball program. For more information on how you can join visit:  jaguarathleticfund.com/rallyscoreclub.