Custom Search GREENSBORO, N.C. (NC A&T Media Relations)- North Carolina A&T State head volleyball coach Hal Clifton announced the hirings of assistant coaches Ariel Newman and Blaine Tendler to the staff. A Greensboro native, Newman comes to North Carolina A&T State from Guilford College, where she became an assistant in 2015. Tendler, with his years of playing and coaching at every level, brings his expertise and wisdom.
“I’m very excited to have Ariel join our staff. I’ve known Ariel for a long time, having watched her as a high school and club player to coaching against her as a college player,” said Clifton. “Her growth as a player was tremendous. It’s been exciting to see her transition from player to coach at the high school, club and college level. She brings a lot of knowledge and experiences that will help us continue to grow the program.”
Newman will be taking on a multitude of tasks as assistant coach, including a focus on recruiting and administrative planning. In practice, she will work primarily with outside hitters. She coached previously at the high school and club level.
"She has a very good eye for talent and picks up on a lot of technical things with players. Ariel is a very good teacher of the game and is very passionate about volleyball,” said Clifton. “Having worked with Ariel at many camps and watching her club players progress over the course of a season, I know Ariel will help our players get better technically.”
Newman is familiar with the Greensboro area, attending Southern Guilford High School before going on to play at Virginia Commonwealth University. She transferred to UNC Greensboro to finish her collegiate career and began as assistant and head coach of the Piedmont Volleyball Club in 2009. To add to her resume, Newman coached the Greensboro Home School team to a state title in 2014 before becoming a part of the Guilford College staff last year. Newman received her master’s degree in psychology from University of the Rockies in 2014.
“I would like to thank North Carolina A&T State University, head coach Hal Clifton and the athletic administration for giving me the opportunity to join a community that strives for greatness within their students and staff,” said Newman. “I am looking forward to working with our student athletes and continuing to build on the recent success of the volleyball program.”
Tendler joins N.C. A&T with 34 years of coaching experience under his belt. A national championship player at University of Regina in Canada, Tendler graduated in 1991 with a degree in sports administration. He spent two years coaching at the professional level in Europe before returning to North America. In 2001 he was inducted to his hometown of Yorkton, Saskatchewan’s Hall of Fame.
Most recently, Tendler was owner and head coach at Piedmont Volleyball Club and head coach for USA High Performance teams. He also was an assistant coach for the USA Women’s Junior National Team from 2012-2013. Tendler’s wife, Mary, is the head volleyball coach at Elon University.
“I’m very excited to announce the addition of Blaine Tendler to our coaching staff," said Clifton. "He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our program. I’ve worked with Blaine for about 12 years now through camps and USA High Performance. “He creates a great gym environment and the players have really taken to his coaching style. Blaine is a very good technical trainer of the game and his passion for volleyball runs deep.”
Tendler will work primarily with the Aggies setters, offense and serve receiving. He will also play a part in recruiting and the practice itinerary. The Aggies open the 2016 on Aug. 26 at Alabama State's ISTAP Collegiate Cup Tournament in Montgomery, Ala.