Custom Search by Kevin C. Paige
MSU Athletic Communications
BALTIMORE, Md. (May 25, 2022) -- Morgan State Athletics has announced the hiring of Xiomara Ortiz as head volleyball coach. Ortiz becomes the program's seventh head coach.
"I am humbled and excited for the opportunity to lead the Morgan State University volleyball program. I want to thank Richard Epps and the entire search committee for trusting me to lead this program," said Ortiz. "In my role as head coach, my goal is to bring a "Competitor for Life" mentality and attitude to the way student athletes view not only volleyball but their competitiveness in the classroom and in their professional careers."
Ortiz comes to Morgan State after spending a year at Shippensburg University, where she spent the 2021 season as the full-time assistant coach. She began her tenure with the Raiders during the 2021 spring season.
"We are excited to have Coach Xiomara Ortiz lead the Morgan State women's volleyball program. She brings a commitment to the Student-Athlete Experience, the holistic development of the student-athlete and a commitment to winning in the classroom and the court," said Morgan State Interim Vice President/Director of Athletics/Deputy Athletic Director, Erlease Wagner.
"Morgan State's primary focus was to identify someone who shared our commitment to the student-athlete experience, academic excellence, and winning culture," said Richard Epps, Director of Internal Operations. "Coach Ortiz's work ethic, character, experience as a player and coach makes her an outstanding fit to lead our women's volleyball program."
Prior to her arrival at Shippensburg, Ortiz spent four seasons as the primary assistant coach at Lehigh University, working for coaches Alexa Keckler (2018-20) and Bob Bertucci (2017), as a defensive and libero coach with the Mountain Hawks.
Ortiz also served as Lehigh's recruiting coordinator – serving as the school's first contact with prospects and club directors. Her national recruiting efforts resulted in 11 new commits to the Mountain Hawks over a two-year span.
While at Lehigh, Ortiz emphasized first contact and defensive development. She was active with scouting reports and game preparation, including film breakdown, statistical analysis and video study. Ortiz also conducted the team's in-practice conditioning efforts.
Outside of volleyball, Ortiz was involved in conversations with Patriot League coaches to initiate the Patriot League's Anti-Racism Commission. She was also an advisor to Lehigh's Student-Athletes of Color (SAOC) leadership group.
Before heading to Lehigh, Ortiz spent three seasons as the primary assistant coach at Hartwick College. In addition to her coaching duties at Hartwick, Ortiz was the advisor for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and served on institutional and NCAA departmental awards committees.
Ortiz has been an active club coach, including a stint as a head coach at Club Lehigh Power and Whirlwind Volleyball. She has worked several high-level summer camps and also has served as a camp director for Bob Bertucci Volleyball Camps.
A native of South Setauket, N.Y., Ortiz had a stellar four-year career as a libero at Binghamton University. She set school records for single-season digs (551) and career digs (1,925) in 116 matches played.
As a freshman, Ortiz earned America East All-Rookie honors and was named to the All-America East Second Team as a sophomore. She was also a three-time member of the America East Honor Roll.
Ortiz graduated from Binghamton in May 2014 with a bachelor's degree in anthropological perspectives and received her master's degree in public administration from Binghamton in December 2020.
"There is great pressure that comes with succeeding a coach like Ramona Riley-Bozier, whose tenure has created great tradition and has seen championship success for the Morgan State program," said Ortiz. "I am excited for the pressure and challenge to create a new type of legacy with the program. We (the team and I) will work hard to make the Morgan State campus, alumni and community proud of this team!"
~morganstatebears.com