Nancy Somera Named Head Volleyball Coach
January 29, 1999
CORVALLIS, Ore. - Nancy Somera has been named Oregon State's head volleyball coach, athletic director Mitch Barnhart announced Friday.
Somera joins the Oregon State staff after serving as an assistant coach at the University of Southern California since 1991.
"I am real excited to be a part of Oregon State athletics. The department is heading in a great direction under the leadership of Mitch Barnhart," Somera said. "Having been in the Pac-10, I know what it takes, and I'm looking forward to the challenge. We have some extremely talented players who can do some good things at Oregon State, and I'm eager to get in the gym and get to work."
As an assistant at USC, Somera helped the Women of Troy earn seven consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament and contributed to the development of seven All-Americans. USC also finished no lower than fourth place in the Pacific-10 standings during her time on the coaching staff.
"Nancy has a sound winning vision that will get Oregon State to the next level. Her leadership, compassion and competitiveness are qualities that I consider top notch," Barnhart said. "She understands what it takes to get it done in the Pac-10 Conference."
Somera had been as USC's top assistant since 1993 before accepting the OSU position. She served as the programs recruiting coordinator, helped develop a strength and conditioning program, organized preseason training camps and coordinated community service projects.
As USC's second assistant from 1991-93, her duties included coordinating team travel plans, restructuring the programs booster club, and overseeing game management operations.
Somera was the director of the USC Girls' Volleyball Camp from 1993-96, and she also served as the director of the Clark Community Center Volleyball Clinics from 1994-96. She has also worked at various volleyball camps throughout the country.
In 1995, Somera coached the 16-under team at the Santa Monica Beach Club, and she was coach of the Cal Juniors 18-under team in 1991.
Prior to joining the USC coaching staff, Somera served as assistant volleyball coach at Golden West College for the 1990 season, when Golden West won the state championship title.
Formerly Nancy Hillman, Somera played collegiate volleyball at USC from 1985-88. She was a four-year starter and helped lead USC to the final four as a freshman in 1985. A three-year team captain and four-year Scholar Athlete, Somera was named to the All-Pacific-10 Team in 1987 and 1988. She holds the school record for career service aces (170) and also holds the single-season ace record (59 in 1988). She ranks in the top 10 for career kills and digs as well.
Somera earned a bachelors degree in journalism and broadcasting from Southern California in 1989, and she earned a masters degree in education in 1994, also at USC.
She is married to Ben Somera, and the couple has a 22-month-old son, Sam.
