STANFORD, Calif. – Angela Rock has been named assistant coach for the Stanford beach volleyball program, as announced Wednesday by head coach Andrew Fuller.
"I am thrilled to be working alongside Angela Rock," said Fuller. "Her impact on the sport of beach volleyball is immeasurable, from her playing accolades as an Olympian and legendary professional beach volleyball player, to the tremendous work she did for the beach programs at St. Mary's and Florida State. In our conversations about Stanford, it was clear that she's not only a lifelong learner herself, but completely dedicated to the scholar-athlete experience that Stanford provides."
Rock comes to The Farm with extensive coaching and playing experience. After a successful collegiate career in which she helped lead San Diego State to two NCAA Final Four appearances, Rock joined the U.S. national beach volleyball team as an outside hitter. She participated in the Goodwill Games and World Championships, the 1987 Pan American Games, and the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea.
Rock is one of the most successful players in beach volleyball history, having won 27 beach events from 1987 to 2000 while playing on both the Women's Professional Volleyball Association (WPVA) and Federation de International Volleyball (FIVB) tours. She was named the WPVA Tour's Best Hitter in 1991 after winning 12 titles.
After nearly 30 years of playing, Rock retired in 2000 and set her sights on coaching. She has served as both a head coach and assistant coach at the Division I, Division II and Community College levels, with experience at The University of Alaska Fairbanks, Cuyamaca College, UC Santa Barbara, Southwestern Community College, Saint Mary's College, San Diego State and Florida State. She has also worked on the development side of the game coaching juniors at Rancho Santa Fe Surf and Coast Volleyball Clubs, while also training elite beach players and Olympic hopefuls.
Rock was inducted into the San Diego State Hall of Fame in 1991 and the Beach Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2010.
She received her bachelor of science in psychology from San Diego State, her master of science in educational/instructional technology from National University, and her master of science in physical education from Azusa Pacific University. Rock is also the author of Angela Rock's Advanced Beach Volleyball Tactics.
"This is a dream come true for me to coach beach volleyball at a prestigious university like Stanford," said Rock. "To have the opportunity to help lead a group of young women who bring a strong academic background, along with high levels of beach talent, makes me excited to get started. I am thankful for the belief that Coach Fuller has in my abilities and look forward to connecting with the team, alumni and fans when we kick off the season next year."
