WILMINGTON, Ohio – Wilmington College Head Volleyball Coach Andy Riesenberg has announced the hiring of Hope Neargarder at the program's assistant coach. She will begin her Wilmington tenure on August 1, 2019.

"I'm very excited for Hope to join our program," Riesenberg said. "She comes highly recommended from a Miami University (Ohio) program that has been at the top of its conference for as long as I can remember."

Neargarder comes to Wilmington from Miami where she spent the last two seasons as a graduate assistant coach. She aided the coach staff by keeping statistics, scouting, uploading film and working with the defensive coach on player development. Neargarder graduated as a Red Hawk with a master's degree in sports leadership.

Prior to Miami, Neargarder spent four years as a student and member of the volleyball team at Defiance College. As a student-athlete, she played in 95 matches during her Yellow Jacket career and averaged 1.27 kills per set. Neargarder's best statistical season came as a junior where she tallied 165 kills in 109 sets played.

An athletic training major, Neagarder worked with many of Defiance's athletic programs including – football, baseball, softball, track & field, lacrosse, baseball and softball. She also worked as a club coach in the summer and in the College's counseling center.

"It was important to me to be able to get someone with a strong Division III background," said Riesenberg. "Playing for deeply rooted and successful program like Defiance College, Hope will be able to help teach and constantly show what it takes to stay at the next level." 

Neargarder resides in Oxford.