Benzing Hired as Assistant Volleyball Coach - Oregon State University Athletics

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State head volleyball coach announced the hiring of as an assistant coach Tuesday.

“Laura’s attitude and work ethic led me to realize that she is an ideal candidate to help this team in an on-court capacity,” Liskevych said. “As a player, she has had considerable success as a middle blocker and certainly has plenty of knowledge to impart to our student-athletes. Having been successful in the classroom as well during her college career, Laura will be a strong influence on our team in that arena as well.”

Benzing, who served as OSU’s Director of Volleyball Operations during the 2006 season, replaces Brandy Kosty who filled the position last season.

Benzing brings playing experience as a professional player in Germany to the coaching staff and the knowledge of the behind-the-scenes tasks from her previous experience at OSU.

A three-time All-Missouri Valley Conference selection while playing as a middle hitter at Bradley University, Benzing also earned MVC Scholar-Athlete first team honors three times and is a two-time Verizon District V Academic All-America first team member.

“I’ve thought very highly of this group of student-athletes from day one, and I am excited to be there for them in an on- and off-court capacity,” Benzing said. “And the opportunity to learn collegiate coaching from two great coaches and great people in Terry (Liskevych) and Mark (Barnard) is beyond what I could ask for. I hope to absorb as much as I can.”

A native of Wisconsin, Benzing graduated Magna Cum Laude from Bradley in 2002 with a bachelor’s of science in pre-law. During her time with the Braves, she was the only student-athlete representative on the Bradley University Athletic Department’s Gender Equity Committee and also represented her team the Equality, Welfare and Sportsmanship Subcommittee for NCAA certification.