I OWAVO L L E Y BA L L BRE PAYTON
A S S I S TA N T C O A C H FIRST SEASON
University of Iowa head volleyball coach Bond Shymansky announced the elevation of Bre Payton from director of operations to interim assistant coach on March 2, 2016. Payton replaced Danielle Carlson, who left to pursue a career outside of athletics. “Bre is one of the few coaches whose playing resume matches her coaching ability,” said Shymansky. “As an All-American setter she demonstrated leadership, drive, focus, and the will to win. Those same traits will be invaluable for us in her role as our offensive coordinator. “Growing up in Iowa, Bre knows what it means to be a true Hawkeye. She will bring experience, passion, grit, and energy into our program. We look forward to her continued impact on our program.” The Waterloo, Iowa, native joined the Hawkeye coaching staff following a year as a graduate assistant at Minnesota State, Mankato. Payton’s duties included travel arrangement, meal planning, coaching, assessing film, and recruiting. While there, she earned her master’s degree in sports management. “I’m more than grateful for the opportunity to be an assistant coach here at Iowa,” said Payton. “It’s a privilege to be able to coach in my home state and in the Big Ten. I am excited to see what the future has in store for Iowa volleyball.” Payton played collegiate volleyball at Northern Iowa. The four-year starting setter earned first team all-conference honors and conference player of the year recognition in three consecutive seasons (2009-2011). She is a two-time second team All-American (2010-11) and an honorable mention All-American (2009). She completed her degree at UNI in movement and exercise science: sport psychology in 2012.
B R E PAY T O N / E M I LY S PA R K S / P E T E R G U S T I N B I O EMILY SPARKS
D I R E C T O R O F O P E R AT I O N S FIRST SEASON
University of Iowa head volleyball coach Bond Shymansky announced the addition of Iowa City, Iowa, native Emily Sparks on March 2, 2016. Sparks will serve as the director of operations. Sparks joins the staff after two years as a staff member in the Iowa Athletic Department. She has served as a learning assistant for Academic Services, a sports operations coordinator, and spent time working with the event management team since June of 2014. The Iowa City High School graduate earned her Bachelor of Science degree in exercise studies from Upper Iowa University in May 2013. She received her Master of Science degree in sport management from Western Illinois University in December 2014. Sparks played collegiate volleyball at Upper Iowa University from 2009-2013. She is a three-time Northern Sun Conference All-Academic Team selection (2010-12), and a Northern Sun Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction Award recipient (2013). PETER GUSTIN
V O L U N T E E R A S S I S TA N T C O A C H FIRST SEASON
Peter Gustin is in his first season as a volunteer assistant coach for the University of Iowa volleyball program. The Mokena, Illinois, native brings both coaching and playing experience to the staff. Gustin played for Lincoln-Way East High School (2002-2006) while competing nationally for Ultimate Volleyball Club (2004-2006). He later attended the University of Iowa where he played for the UI’s Men’s Club Volleyball team (2006-2010). Gustin then shifted his love for the game to coaching. He spent summer of 2015 coaching the Iowa Boys Regional Youth Team in Des Moines, Iowa, and later coached team camp at the University of Kentucky. From 2012-2016, Gustin served as the Solon High School girls varsity head coach, as well as the school’s language arts instructor. While at Solon, he led his team to a Class 4A State Runner-Up finish in 2012 and 2013. In 2014, he clinched a 3A State Championship while being named Class 3A Coach of the Year, 3A Southeast District Coach of the Year, and 4A Northeast District Coach of the Year. In the fall of 2014, Gustin began coaching for Adrenaline Volleyball Academy- 15 Rox. In 2015, his team won the Midwest JVA Challenge and placed 14th out of 92 teams at the AAU Girls Junior National Volleyball Championships. In 2016, Peter coached his team to the USAV Girls Junior National Championships and JVA World Challenge-open division, leading his team to an Iowa Region Championship and JVA Midwest Runner-Up finish. Gustin graduated from the University of Iowa in 2010 with degrees in both English and journalism & mass communication. He has his teaching certificate in secondary English education. PA G E 11